A/N: Summer fun and writing time! Summer fun and writing time! Way at Way at Way at. Yea, so I decided to be a doll and not overload on A/N this chapter around. - I know, long update! But I made the chapter a wee bit longer to help make it up!

Fighting Song: Alright now that this fic is really comin down to the wire here, I've introduced one of my main theme songs for all the action-packed scenes. It's from the soundtrack of Cellular(youtube it:p)I only like the beat though, so I just always put it back to the cool beat at the beginning. (almost like a piano made beat)

Youtube it: "Cellular- Sinnerman" (it should be the first one "Nina Simone-Sinnerman")

Warnings: I decided to add more fluff between Sas and Sak from last chapter, to make it a little more realistic. Its already edited into last chapter, But because it's important to what happens in this chapter, I decided to put it at the beginning of this chapter, for those who haven't read it hope ya'll don't mind!

Please Enjoy!

Behind The Smile

Last time on: Chap 36: Ascending Situations!(added addition to last chapter)

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She let out her last series of coughs before falling back into Sasuke. Her face was twisted into pain, her eyes closed as her head lulled to the side.

"Sakura." He firmly called her name as he brushed a few strands of hair behind her ear. He then let that same hand slightly cup her face before patting her cheek once again. In response, Sakura slightly moaned as she lulled her head to the side once again. Though this time her eyes subtly fluttered before slightly opening to gaze at Sasuke.

"Sas..?" She paused as a few coughs racked her body. During the transaction Sasuke slightly lifted her up further into a better sitting position, letting her back lean against him. She tilted her head upwards as she once again tried to make out his features through her hazy view. Her emerald eyes widened slightly as she looked up at him.

She was about to say more, but both hers and Sasuke's eyes snapped to the area in front of them, where a lone shinobi jumped over the roof before them. Before he had a chance to do more, Sasuke was immediately upon him, shoving his fist into the Sound shinobi's abdomen. He fell permanently incapacitated to the ground.

Sakura watched him from her sitting position, one which Sasuke had quickly but gently had pushed her up into before his departure, her face scrunching up in slight pain as she grabbed her ribs. She watched Sasuke as he casually walked back towards her, sitting on the ground next to her. He brought one of his legs up for his arm to rest on, while leaving the other leg, the one closest to her, bent almost Indian style.

"Why did you come here? It's dangerous being near Orochimaru." Her voice was soft, almost shaky as she looked at him. It also held a worried tone, almost to the point of reprimand, maybe a silent anger.

"I don't care about that, Sakura." Although abrupt, his tone was almost soft. The presence of Orochimaru wouldn't keep him away from here, it didn't scare him. Though something else, something else scared him. He looked away from her gaze, letting his fall downcast to the area in front of him.

She continued to gaze at him silently for a moment, this time unable to stop the tears from brimming her eyes, thoughts and memories overwhelming her.

"..I came to make things right." He continued, sounding resolved, however yet grave as he presumably tried to reassure himself; convince not only her that that was the reason. His tone almost implied that there was double meaning behind his words. And as he let his eyes transition to the destruction all around them, one became clearly evident. The other remained hidden as he let his eyes fall to the ground before him.

Her wavering eyes studied him silently for a while before traveling downcast such as his.

"…Why?" An incredulous inquiry. Her voice was very soft, reflecting the tears that were soon to come, her tone high as she tried to control her emotions. For some reason, she almost seemed to be in a sort of denial. She wasn't ready to believe the things that had sounded her ears only moments earlier. She surprisingly wasn't ready to let go of all the hurt, all the suffering; they were the only real things in her life, none at all temporary, none at all forgotten.

Her emerald eyes continued to waver as they raised to look at his downcast gaze, his silence deafening to her ears. His silence leaving room for accurate, yet unwanted assumption.

"She understood you, forgave you. She accepted you for the monster you've become."

"Sasuke.." She muttered, the cry in her voice unmistakable, her eyes slightly squinting as the first tears tried to come.

"You didn't believe redemption lied for a fool on such a path as you were."

"You came for me.."

Sasuke's gaze met hers.

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Behind The Smile

Chapter 37: On the Inside

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His deep obsidian gaze fell downcast to the area before him.

"..So it's true..isn't it?" Her voice almost seemed hopeful, yet sad, unsure.

Sasuke brought up a hand, grabbing the back of his neck as he closed his eyes, his head slightly turning as he did so.

"You weren't supposed to know."

"Why?"

"I didn't want you to know."

"Why?"

"Does it really matter, Sakura?" His hands had long since been balanced on his knees, hanging slightly intertwined together in between his legs. He lazily brought his eyes up to meet hers, seemingly needing no effort to remain stoic, display unemotional cold eyes. He let out a small sigh before focusing his gaze to the ground before him. "We're not going to be together..that's all that matters."

A brief silence ensued as Sakura continued to look at the Uchiha before her. Her gaze wasn't disappointed, only a slight disbelief flickered across her face. Though it was that of a knowingly feeling, assumption that something like this just might happen. And it did.

"So this is it, huh?

"..I won't let you give up everything you've worked for-."

"..Is this what you meant..by making things right?" Her inquiry was almost all the more impassive, laced with nothing but a grim understanding. Disappointment. She continued to look at him, his silence answering everything.

"Orochimaru was lying." She finally started, her eyes almost flickering with distaste. "This isn't love. This is far from…" She let out a feigned noise of humor. "..Maybe even for me as well." With that, Sakura struggled to get up, managing to do so as she started to walk away, or more so stumble away. This time, she let no tear travel down her face.

"..I won't let you give up everything you've worked for-."

"Oh.." She paused in her movement, seemingly remembering something; her gaze was still focused ahead, yet she successfully captured Sasuke's gaze. "I worked this long for you, Sasuke.." Her voice was calm, holding a tone of finality. "The only thought that consumed my mind as I trained, as I worked to become stronger, well-respected, was you. I knew that if I did that, I would be able to find you. I knew that if I made more friends, they would support me. And I knew that if I continued to love you, you would love me back…"

She paused for a moment, deciding to say more. A grim smile adorned her lips. What was behind that smile was only known to her, what was on her mind was only known to her. But surely the situation didn't call for a smile, though for Sakura, it did. It was her smile after all, a smile only made only by her.

"You do have a choice…to love someone, or to not…And the fact that you chose to do so, to love me..but not accept that.." She finally turned her head to look over her shoulder, her gaze briefly meeting his.

"Annoys me." Sakura continued to walk away, her steps calm and collected. Her emerald eyes focused ahead of her. The fact that she was the one walking away, that she was the one with the last words..it was nice. This time she would be the one to leave the other watching her back. This time, if he truly did love her, he would find her, he would fight for her. Just as she did for him.

As soon as she had started walking, Sasuke's hesitant, unreadable gaze fell downcast, wavering as he seemed to deeply contemplate something, hurriedly it appeared. He almost seemed panicked, unsure. Sakura continued to travel farther away as he did so.

It was then that his head lifted up to briefly look at the area in front of him. His eyes transitioned back to Sakura, and he moved himself off of the ground.

When she sensed him get up, when she had felt him moving towards her, she couldn't help the way her face twisted up, and the first tear that traveled down her face. She couldn't help the moment she stumbled far too much, and the moment she started her descent towards the ground, bereft of any strength. Overwhelmed. Her world became the darkness as exhaustion and pain finally took its role. Though, as she fell, a true smile graced her lips.

And he caught her, stopping her descent before a single stand of pink hair touched the ground before them.

--

"Is she okay?" They all met him, making there way towards Shikamaru as he slowed to a halt on the rooftop before them. Eyes were focused on the unconscious kunoichi in his arms. He glanced to briefly look at Lee, Chouji, Tenten, and Neji, then down to the woman in her arms before transitioning his gaze off to where he had just retreated from. He was almost contemplative, as if he desired, as if he decided to fight. An image of Sasuke holding Sakura in his arms invaded his mind, yet he said nothing.

Everyone else's' gaze also followed pursuit as another small explosion, what sounded to be the collapse of a building vibrated through their ears. The source unmistakable.

--

As many of the huge beasts dove for him, they completely destroyed the building in which he had swiftly retreated from. The huge rumbling and sound of the crumbling building was almost deafening, its collapse sending a tremor through the ground.

More of the snakes dove for the Uchiha, and he evaded again, jumping in the air before using the same one to catapult away. With excellent speed, he brought out a kunai to meet Kabuto's. Leaving no room for the power to over struggle, Kabuto brought up his foot in a small roundhouse kick, one in which Itachi easily dodged as he flipped onto another rooftop. Kabuto's eyes studied Itachi almost strangely as he remained in fighting position. It was clearly obvious that Itachi was intentionally evading. Evading without attacking.

Itachi fully straightened up, his Sharingan eyes transitioning all around him. He seemed to be contemplating, his eyes scanning the large number of snakes before him, his gaze transitioning around the area, at the buildings which adorned its ground.

Orochimaru's sight held no other than Itachi. There was no amusement in his snake-like gaze, he was completely focused, intent on the Uchiha's movements. His facial expression was almost grim, almost..worried.

What are you going to do, Itachi-kun?

Itachi seemed to have fully contemplated the use of his chakra; he had slowly brought his hand up in a single seal, still looking at the snakes all around him, almost as if he was hesitating. There must have been a consequence to the technique he would use, though he didn't seem minding of his own welfare. His Sharingan eyes calmly watched as a few more of the snakes dove towards him; and at the last moment he brought his hand down, equipping his hand with a kunai.

He then disappeared.

To the normal eye, all that could be seen, heard, were the continuous and numerous slashes all around a group of the beast-like snakes. Though both Kabuto's and Orochimaru's eyes seemed to follow movement within the group of snakes, their expressions placid.

Itachi reappeared on a rooftop nearby, his eyes trained in front of him, hand armed with the kunai held in front of him, parallel to his stoic face. The point of the kunai glared in the setting sun as it pointed outwards to his right.

It was odd as the group of a dozen snakes were planted stationary, seemingly in the same position as before Itachi disappeared. Any oddness was soon answered as the sections of the snakes' bodies started to slide out of proportion, an unpleasant sound heard as the friction of their insides did nothing to stop the body parts from thudding loudly to the ground.

More soon replaced their numbers, Itachi's attack hardly denting the mass armada of beast-like snakes. This seemed to trigger another onset attack by the great number of beasts.

--

"We need to get over there." Jiraiya's eyes weren't the only pair focused on the great number of beast-like snakes in the distance. Next to him stood Kakashi, his serious demeanor reminiscent of his eyes as he looked on with the legendary sannin. Kurenai's deep red eyes shared glances with Asuma and Might Gai before they all looked on in the distance.

Before them was a long expanse of clashing ninja's.

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"I agree. Let's hurry." Neji bolted from his position, jumping onto the battling streets below. Tenten followed suit immediately, then Chouji, then Lee. With Ino still in his arms, Shikamaru followed as well.

Their destination was clearly evident.

--

Itachi swiftly dodged the onset of snakes diving towards him. As he made his way to the other rooftop, Kabuto was already upon him. They initiated a combo of attacks, disappearing and reappearing countless times to meet one another.

It seemed to go in slow motion as Kabuto's fist finally met Itachi's face; the former Akatsuki member's upper body bent backwards due to the inertia of the punch. Though, forebodingly, he stayed in that position, his face out of view as Kabuto looked at him suspiciously.

It was then that Itachi slightly brought up his head, his Sharingan eyes piercing as they calmly looked to Kabuto. Kabuto took a step back almost surprised as he continued to look at the Uchiha. The beast-like snakes around them finally started to dive in Itachi's direction, and it continued to go in slow motion as the Uchiha's upper body started to rise, Kabuto could only watch as he started to lean back, trying to evade.

Orochimaru's subordinate crashed into a nearby wall, nearly destroying the entire building with the amount of force that had propelled him.

(Song: Nina Simone: Sinnerman felix da housecat remix)

Itachi seemed to have fully contemplated the use of his chakra; he had slowly brought his hand up in a single seal once again, still looking at the snakes all around him, their huge mass countless. The consequence to the technique he would use was a great counterbalance to the consequence of the endless destruction to be caused by the beasts. His Sharingan eyes calmly watched as a few more of the snakes dove towards him; and this time, he did not bring his hand seal down.

--

Kakashi's Raikiri filled fist moved parallel to Jiraiya's Ransengan filled fist as they dashed towards the huge group of Sound ninja's blocking their way. The sound of thunder tuned in with the deafening silence as the two fists made contact with the first bodies. The resulting explosions flared out in a straight secession, side by side, wiping out the huge expanse of Sound shinobi before it.

Following the explosion, and while the clouds surrounding the explosion were still amidst, Asuma, Kurenai, and Guy appeared, initiating their own attacks.

Kurenai, kunai at hand did a small three-hundred-sixty degree spin, letting her kunai take out those within her span. Asuma, equipped with both his duel blades, cut through his opponents as well, punching a few every once and a while. Might Guy used his immense speed and taijutsu skills to send every shinobi he encountered to the ground.

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"Naruto-kun!" Naruto responded to Hinata's brief call by wordlessly grabbing her hands as she offered them. He then briefly spun, supporting her as she used her feet the kick the shinobi surrounding her in a circular motion. They parted once again, continuing to fight their way through the large expanse of clashing ninja before them.

Naruto brought up a brief seal, immediately a clone replica of himself appeared beside him. Each Naruto brought one hand together, moving them in a spherical motion. As the ball of chakra formed in-between their hands, the clone's hand didn't retreat. Both hands splayed out side by side, the ball of chakra spinning around, supported by the both of them. Leaving no resting moment, the two Naruto's ran in sync.

This Ransengan devastated a much bigger explosion, clearing an area completely of the Sound shinobi. As soon as the explosion initiated, the Naruto clone disappeared, and the real Naruto continued to battle his way forward.

Hinata briefly closed her eyes, opening them to reveal her Byakaguun, the vein-like structure becoming prominent on the sides of her face. Immediately a huge seal appeared underneath her, the bluish glow emanating from the seal stretching out underneath the expanse of Shinobi surrounding her.

Her hands were angled in the familiar deadly point, her fingers poised and ready to strike. She didn't utter a word as she stabbed one open palm into a shinobi, the strike heavy. She then moved to another as she delivered to heavy strikes. Another shinobi suffered the wrath of another two more moderate hits. She continued doing this, transitioning her attacks to another every two hits, her speed increasing with each strike. Her strikes soon moved up to four, followed by eight, followed by sixteen, followed by a dazzling thirty-two consecutive pinpoint-precision strikes.

A large group a Sound shinobi fell before her. But she continued, the seal below her now emanating a purple glow. This was the point where the difference between the renowned Hyuuga Neji's technique was clearly seen.

Hinata immediately began spinning around, all the while pushing chakra out of her body in all various chakra points. Soon a lively looking circle of chakra surrounded her. The speed at which she was spinning caused her to only be perceived as a blur, the chakra around her finely spinning in a spherical motion.

Her movement was similar to a spinning top as her and her chakra ball, decimated any body they came in contact with, the speed of spin deadly. As she cleared an opening, Naruto took it, his cerulean eyes calm as he dug his fist into a Sound shinobi who was attacking one of the Leaf.

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"Soushouryu!" Tenten propelled herself upwards between the two spinning scrolls around her, reaching her hands into their endless depths.

The bluish chakra once bursting from Neji had just expanded into thin air as she finished his ultimate defense. Shikamaru's shadow has just returned to him. Both shinobi moved in through Tenten's endless rain of falling weapons, focusing on the Sound Shinobi that weren't falling stricken to her weapons.

Hands poised in pin-point precision, Neji shoved his fists into countless Sound shinobi with ease. He moved his head to the side to avoid the kunai that had been shoved his way, and with quick speed he turned his body to the side, allowing more power as he stabbed his hand into the enemies abdomen. The speed in which he would strike his opponents made his movements hardly visible as he transferred from each Sound ninja continuously.

Even with one hand, Shikamaru fell victim to no Sound ninja. Ino hanging from his shoulder, he ran alongside Neji under the falling rain of weapons, pounding his fists into any who crossed his path. He then jumped back a few feet, briefly releasing the arm holding Ino to his shoulder to bring both his hands up in a seal. Immediately a shadow hand reached out above a mass of Sound shinobi, falling flat as it clapped on to them, creating a small tremor as it did so.

Lee than dashed in with his immense speed and taijitsu specialty, performing a series of half cartwheels before balancing on his hands. He continued to swing his legs about in a windmill like motion, his speed carrying him further along his path. His legs were like razor to the Sound shinobi he made contact with.

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"Doton: Yomi Numa."

The area underneath a majority of the beastlike snakes disappeared, the war ravaged area turning into a very large, immense swamp. The snakes toppled over each other as they slowly were engulfed by the huge swamp.

What?

Kabuto watched as a large portion of the snakes disappeared into the depths of the huge swamp-like anomaly. The bruised on his body slowly started to heal, the only evidence of his injuries his torn and dirtied clothing, along with the dried blood that had seeped from his mouth.

Itachi calmly watched at the snakes victim to the swamp were engulfed. It was clearly evident why he didn't use the technique before, despite how many of the giants he would have been able to take out. A large portion of Konoha had to be sacrificed, completely vanished from the very spot it stood.

He had no time to stand still as what was left of the large snakes dove towards him, threatening to engulf him. He remained stationary, equipping each hand with a kunai. The two snakes which had dove towards him were halted as Itachi's kunai dug into their heads, holding them to his will. Itachi then let his eyes transition around him till he spotted Kabuto. Letting out a whisper of a grunt, and with immense strength, he sent the snakes towards Kabuto's position.

Kabuto barely dodge the hurdling snakes before Itachi was upon him, digging his two kunai into his abdomen. Kabuto coughed out blood almost immediately, some of it speckled onto Itachi's face as he dug the kunai deeper. Even as he squeezed his eyes shut in pain, Kabuto managed to pull out a kunai, digging it into Itachi's shoulder in return. Not showing any sign it caused any pain, Itachi, briefly pulled away before delivering a kick to the kunai still embedded in Kabuto's abdomen.

As Kabuto flew back, let out a small gasp of pain as he quickly pulled out the kunai. Immediately the wounds started to heal. But before they could fully heal, Itachi was upon him, delivering much more combos of attacks. He seemed well aware of his ability to heal, and was intent on not providing him with the chance.

Orochimaru's snake-like eyes were disgruntled and grim as he watched Kabuto get pummeled by Itachi endlessly. He grasped the scrolls attached to his rope-like belt even tighter.

Kabuto coughed out even more blood as Itachi threw him into another building. He crashed violently, causing many huge pieces of the concrete building to fall around him.

"Katon: Goukakyuu No Justu."

The glasses adorning his eyes had long since been crushed and forcefully discarded from the bridge of his nose. Only his two pairs of eyes were left to open wide as they were only consumed with view of the large, scorching fireball making its way towards him.

"Kabuto!" Orochimaru hollered out in warning, and in worry.

Kabuto's high pitched scream echoed throughout the area as the fire scorched his skin. But soon, there was no noise, as if he had either died, or disappeared. And as he appeared on another rooftop, it was clearly evident which one it was.

Itachi's Sharingan eyes looked calmly at Kabuto, while Orochimaru's were grave, surprised. The snake-sannin let out a small grunt of distaste, more so anxiety.

Kabuto's ragged, seemingly painful intakes of breath were clearly audible. The skin on most of his body was deformed, burned very badly, and he was still steaming from the recent exposure to fire. He was on his knees, seemingly just from the pain alone. Itachi was about to make his way towards Orochimaru's subordinate, but his eyes snapped to the side as he sensed something upon him.

Hinata's slowed to a halt, taking in deep breaths as her surprised pearl eyes transitioned from Orochimaru to Naruto, who was in the motion of stabbing his kunai towards Itachi.

His kunai briefly stabbed into Itachi, before he disappeared into a puff of smoke, remnants of a clone made with great speed and skill. The Naruto who had stabbed the clone, also disappeared into a puff of smoke. The real Itachi, who had jumped onto another rooftop, was left slightly surprised as another Naruto, seemingly the real on was already upon him, kunai at hand. This time Itachi's calm eyes only watched as Naruto was about lodge his kunai into him.

The next events transpired so fast that the only thing seen was Naruto colliding into a nearby building.

Naruto quickly picked himself up from the rubble of the building, his cerulean eyes burning as they caught sight of the one who had kicked him into the spot he now stood in.

Uchiha Sasuke stood next to Itachi now, his calm eyes looking to Naruto. Him and Itachi briefly exchanged glances, almost seeming to have an unspoken conversation. Itachi nodded his head as Sasuke's gaze transitioned back to Naruto.

"Sasuke-teme! What the hell?!"

As his cerulean eyes watched Sasuke wordlessly transfer an unconcious pink-haired woman to Itachi, they widened as the features of the woman were recognizable.

"Sak-" He was cut off as Sasuke appeared right in front of him, leaving not even a centimeter to separate them. The Uchiha's head almost surpassed Naruto's shoulder as the two were nearly ear to ear, his deap obsidian gaze focused ahead.

"Stay still, Naruto." Naruto, clearly agitated, said nothing as his cerulean eyes focused on the unconscious woman in Itachi's arms. He was confused and angry at why Sasuke would give her to him, the very man who he had sought to destroy, who had kidnapped Sakura in the first place.

It was then that Sasuke put a hand on Naruto's chest, on contact his hand almost pulsating.

--

Inner depths

The small amount of water that blanketed the entire concrete floor was catalyst for noise caused with each of his casual footsteps. The little droplets of water that would drip from the ceiling at timed occurrence set the calm, yet eerie stature for the dark place, barely lit by far spaced candles attached to the walls on either side.

With hands casually placed in his pockets, Uchiha Sasuke walked towards the large gate at the end of short-lengthed hall. The rusted, iron bars did not hint to any weakness at all whatsoever. His head lifted up towards the ceiling as his eyes found the original sealed tag attached to the gate. Where it was once a single tag, now a long expanse of seals adorned the gate, evidence of another technique used, completely prohibiting action from the beast in the confines of the gate.

As if on que, a quiet rumble falling suspicion to a growl sounded from deep in the confines of the iron gate. Sasuke's stoic gaze traveled to look beyond the gate, his eyes trained on something that was not perceivable to the normal eye in the darkness, yet to him.

Large, red eyes then opened, seemingly glaring at him lazily.

"You again?" The demonic voice rumbled, the breath released from the words created a very noticeable breeze at it flew past Sasuke, ruffling his clothes. If it was meant to intimidate the Uchiha, it did not.

"Don't sound too happy to see me." A small smirk adorned Sasuke's lips. It then left as quickly as it had come. "No matter." With that, he proceeded to take off the first seal, bringing up a hand. His Sharingan eyes appeared, glowing prominently in the dim light. On contact with his hand, the seal disintegrated completely.

The entire head of the large beast had revealed now, its large fangs clamped together.

"This is more enjoyable then our first meeting." The Kyuubi rumbled, seemingly a little more than content as he observed Sasuke freeing him.

"Aa" Sasuke touched the next seal, leaving it to disintegrate into the air.When he had finished removing the fifth seal, Sasuke simply moved his hand to the final seal, yet this time he only fiddled with the corner of the seal, feigning thoughtfulness.

"Say I release you. What will you do?" He continued to fiddle with the corners of the first seal, almost teasingly.

It was then that the Kyuubi fully revealed itself, its large claws resting on the grooves at the bottom of the iron gate. The Bjiu slightly opened its mouth, revealing even more so its fangs as its head almost protruded through the openings in the gate, a low demonic growl rumbling from its throat.

"Destroy the one who did this to me, and maybe this entire county on the side." The Kyuubi's deep demonic voice echoed once again, doing nothing to hide his intentions. Sasuke's seemed unbothered by the close proximity of the biju that towered over him, he glanced at it before returning his lazy eyes to seal. He fiddled with the seal for a moment longer before retreating his hand.

"Well that's too bad. I had wanted you to do something else for me."

The Kyuubi paused, its eyes focused on Sasuke as it seemed to read his intentions. After a moment, almost submissively, the Kyuubi retreated into the confines of his prison so that only his head was revealed once again.

"What is it you seek from me?"

"In the very near future..I just might have to release you fully, completely separate you from this jinchuriki of yours..at that time I want you to fight alongside the shinobi of Konoha village."

The low rumble of the demonic laugh that came from the Kyuubi echoed throughout the area.

"I remember Konoha. It's shinobi toppled over one another trying to flee from me."

"Aa."

"And what makes you think I will do this of you?"

A small smirk made its way to Sasuke's face.

"I had a feeling you wouldn't do it out of the gratefulness for your release." He paused, bringing his hand up to the seal once again, fiddling with it. Just as he did so the smirk from his face disappeared, a cold, serious demeanor taking over. "Just as I can release you, I can imprison you, and then destroy you." He then let his eyes transition back to the Kyuubi, the cold depths of his deep obsidian eyes almost burning into the biju.

A small silence ensued.

"Fair enough." The Biju replied, seemingly convinced. "Anything else you wish of me?"

"Until that time comes, you will stay, of your own will, in your jinchuriki and lend any power that he may need, though I have a feeling you will already do that. You are well aware that his death means your death as well." There seemed to be a double meaning behind his words.

They Kyuubi let out a small grunt of amusement.

"Don't worry about your little friend, Uchiha. It's comfortable in here, and I've found myself growing quite fond of him."

"Good." Was all Sasuke said as he simply pealed the tag from the iron gate. He casually placed his hand back in his pocket before turning his direction to walk away.

The sound of the large Iron Gate creaking open drowned out his footsteps.

--

Sasuke stepped away from Naruto, who looked surprised. He lifted up his shirt to see the seal of the Kyuubi once more take its place around his belly button. Yet it looked different.

"Naruto-kun!" He put his arm around Hinata as she appeared next to him. Sasuke simply smirked as he looked into her wary pearl eyes.

"Itachi is not an enemy, dobe. Don't attack him again." That seemed to be his way of implying that neither he nor Itachi were enemies here, more so to the Hyuuga than to Naruto. And he did so successfully as he saw Hinata's shoulders relax slightly. With that, Sasuke looked over to Itachi before disappearing, revealing himself next to his brother. He then took Sakura out of his arms, and held her almost protectively as he finally looked on at Orochimaru, who seemed to have been waiting patiently.

Itachi had long since been focused on him and his subordinate, Kabuto, who had taken the time he needed to do a great deal of healing before once again positioning himself next to Orochimaru. Some of his burnt skin was still unhealed, and he did not look happy.

"Sasuke!" His deep obsidian eyes transitioned to Naruto.

"..Is..she..Is that really Sakura-chan?" His voice was slightly soft, reflecting the tears that almost adorned his eyes.

"Hn."

Almost as if he was satisfied, his cerulean eyes finally made their way to focus on Orochimaru. He disappeared with Hinata to appear on the same rooftop as the Uchihas. A few rooftops separated them all from Orochimaru and Kabuto.

All eyes then transitioned to the both their lefts and rights as they sensed more chakra. They were met with familiar faces.

--

The sound of fighting could be heard in the distance, the smoke inhaled by those standing on a small cliff not too far away, one that provided a bird's eye view of the war ravaged village. And overhead the small cliff top flew a small bird, one that looked to be a messenger bird, finally arriving back to Konoha.

"Hmm.." Temari placed a hand on her hip, slightly grinning as she down to Konoha. A few leaves from a nearby tree blew past her, the slight wind ruffling her clothing and uniquely spiked pigtails.

"Looks like we arrived just in time." Kankuro said, sharing the same small grin. There was no hood from his former outfit covering his head, nor paint like decorations adorning his face. His brown, all the same spiky hair flared out nicely.

"Maybe next time around we can actually come when it's more peaceful, neh?" Temari looked to her two brothers standing at her side.

They both looked to their Kazekage, standing silently between them as his emotionless eyes looked at Konoha in its destruction. The "Love" tattoo adorning the corner of his forehead was prominent as ever. As he sensed their eyes on him, he let out a small, brief grin as well. It had been quite some time since they had stepped foot in Konoha, and they wouldn't have imagined that they would be coming to help them in a war yet again.

"Are you all ready?" He finally said.

"Lets do this." They replied almost cheerfully as they focused their gazes on the destination before them. They then took off, making their way into the war ravaged streets of Konoha. Their army of Sand Shinobi followed right behind them.

--

"My my," Orochimaru started, a tone of amusement. "We've gathered quite a crowd now haven't we?"

Neji, TenTen, Lee, Chouji, and Shikamaru had come from the west; Kakashi, Jiraiya, Kurenai, Asuma, and Might Guy had come from the east. They weren't the only ones as more Leaf and Sound Shinobi had arrived, each taking their respectful sides on North and South.

Kakashi's eyes scanned the area, finally resting on the unconscious woman held in Sasuke's arms. His eyes weren't the only to focus on the pink-haired woman, all not knowing that she had been alive this entire time.

"Orochimaru." Jiraiya's voice sounded the area. "You end here."

Orochimaru grinned. "I don't think so." He looked up to the dimming sky as the sun had started to set, creating its clashes of orange and purple beyond the mountain horizon. "I want to have my finale first."

It was then that he firmly grasped one of the scrolls attached to his rope-like belt, throwing it out before him.


Thanks For Reading!

RANTINGS

Alright.
To all , to the idiots , morons , jackasses, pricks , even the not so stupid people whose curiosity was just sparked at this introduction of a bashing . For the sake of tips , with sites like these , where brilliant people have the talent to come up with beautiful stories , and take the time and effort , and risk to display them for the world to see , it's inevitable that some will attempt a plagiarizing of these stories and ideas , and attempt to take credit for themselves - and all that fun goodyness , because they are selfish , idiotically incompetent morons who have no menial life , and who are failures - particularly in the subject of writing - having no talent at all whatsoever ; nor perseverance or patience or CONSIDERATION .

Why don't I start this off with saying that there it not ONE similarity between my story and any other fiction - of course , discluding the morons AFTER myself who chose my story to steal and reproduce under their names; reason why you might happen to to recognize some things ;reason for this lovely length of an acquisition/ insultation.

Due to this lovely cessation of idiots and events , I've been receiving all sorts of deliriously ignorant messages and reviews from those, who i assume have just started to read my story , those who say they've read some things somewhere else , things with uncanny similarity . I assume it's people who have just read . because those who have been riding along this adventure of a story with me since 2005 know that the story is sincerely mine , my ideas , my thoughts , my everything . There couldn't have been similar stories back then because my story was in it's newly stages , getting it's boom of renown in the latter stages of it's production. No one knew too much about it. Now that years have passed, people have read, and it's still going on, what do you know, similarities with my story.

Let's get to the hate mail , shall we ?
There's been talk about similarites like Sakura having pink eyes , Neji and Tenten battling evil-doers together , insanely idiotic things as such , yada yada .

FIRST OFF, i have Neji and Tenten as a couple in my story, why would i not put them together fighting? Seeing as how this is an ACTION story. Notice how Naruto and Hinata fight together? Ino and Shikamaru?And with this being a story in which the protagonists are Sasuke and Sakura with their monotonous love-hate relationship , we obviously see them together alot , saying the unthinkable , doing the unthinkable , fighting the unthinkable . Woop de freakin do , shiminatwo .

The thing is , these little squirts of jackoffs would just be broad in their acquisitions - generally complaining about how Neji and Tenten fought together , etc.

Well , I'm pretty sure the FUCKTARD(S) who stole from me wasn't that courageously stupid and deliriously bold enough to paste word for word on my couples' battles together , keeping in mind the fact that not many writers on this site go into as great detail in battle and descriptions as I do - I say this while disclaiming to any accounts of narcissism . So uhh , are you gonna get on every single fanfiction that has Neji and Tenten fighting together ? Sakura and Sasuke's confontations ending in heartbreak ? Naruto's insane love for Ramen ? Give me a break - and get me a cup of cocoa , marshmallows on top while you're at it .

They even had the audacity to get on me about the whole battle between Sasuke and Sakura - the whole Chidori/explosion of an ending , and having her miraculously survive ! I really had to put a lot of effort to prevent myself from dropping to the floor , and doing the whole rolling around hysteria while laughing hysterically . What the hell is your problem ? I guess i owe my sincere apologies for not being shallow and uncreative enough to have a lengthy story in which a superbly main and necessary character dies in the beginning stages . I like to make my stories as REAL and cinematic-like as i am able , so uhh , EXCUSE ME , if i decide to put some fucking drama in MY DAMN STORY , Thanks .

I really do have future theories - swearable ones at that , that the world is going to end because of your RETARDED people . And no , before you start getting on me about using the word retarted to explain the lot of you soulless vamps , I'm not referring to the handicapped people , farm from . Any intelligent person , or even alphabet-literate one would know that those kids are freakin geniuses , and would never be ont he low level that you idiotic morons are .

There are countless amounts of people who have written about the same subjects and ideas - such as marriage , finding Uchiha Sasuke , HIGHSCHOOL , this and that , the works ; disappointingly , that's how far the world has fallen , into a unanimous cohesive unit of tainted originality , where one person is hardly discernible from the other in every single way - where even the imagination is starting to have limits , self-worth is declining , mediocrity is reaching a milestone high . And writers can't write for crap , especially when tempted with the goodies of those around them who actually can write , or are bright enough to have great ideas .

So , about these similiar stories , it doesn't mean in any way that they are the SAME , as we've been forced through toleration to allow such similarities. These similiar stories don't have the same scenes , etc . You can't get on all these people about having similiar character reactions , speach , etc . , cause if everyone depicted the anime characters like they are in the anime , many scenes of stories really would be the same - unless completley different ideas and plotlines shaped them (an aspect that is dwindling since no one can come up with sane , good ideas of their own - not ones that are disgusting in their wierdness). . And as much as I can't stand it when people have exact same plotlines and what not , I am ever more so growingly disgusted with the OCCness that represents itself with every character . As much as i would like to promote the uniqueness of all your ideas and thought processess , and enactment of your stories , I would like to stress and factorize that Imagination shouldn't change owned and copyrighted characters, damnit ! I am sick of all the faults and problems and candid lameness that all you writers and readers ignore in your diluted imaginations .

I guess luckily, however sadly, hardly any writer on these sites depicts the characters well at all on their own, so it should be a big, hugely enormous neon sign saying PLAGIARISM when you see someone who uses similiar dialogue and character reactions, scenes, and ideas, and descriptions - especially when the spefic scene, etc. is unique, something that isn't used by even a fraction the fanfiction writing population. Please don't be stupid and miss this, assume without cause. I will hate you for it forever.

I would like to know , please , WHY on earth you don't see anyone getting on those who write about sickly related ideas of marriage , etc. - which would actually be kind of sad , seeing as how it really isn't that hard to tie anime stories into the real world - but you have the nerve to get on ME about Haruno Sakura having pink eyes ? There are billions of people out there , and it's not too far a stretch from normality for someone to think of PINK EYES . There are countless aspects of my story that no other people could come up with , at all , guaranteed - similarities would ONLY result from people skimming through my story and reproducing them as their own , however much they try to mold it into their styles .

GET A FUCKING CLUE, thanks.

I know you see it, that I have 40 chapters in this longly drawn out yet uniquely real story. I know, you don't really think that there's anywhere I could make this story that long stealing ideas. Every single scene and dialogue in this story are completely original, and don't share any same quality to any other story - again, discluding those after me, who would seek to utilize my great ideas as their own. My ideas are so original that i would copyright them if i could, damnit. However, that's not possible if you decide to be nice and create stories on open sights like these. And that's what makes it more frustrating, when you decide to stray from the norm, and be creative. And then have those ideas stolen. Yuck.

DO ME A FAVOR, BE SMART, AND CHECK THE PUBLISH DATES FOR THOSE STORIES YOU JUST READ...ALLL OF THEM WILL BE A LATER PUBLISH DATE THAN MINE...GUARANTEED..cause i will swear on a stack of bibles that i take nothing from other stories and that those people took/take from me. I even caught one..a story "Love Conquers all...I think" (recently deleted due to my infiltration a few weeks ago with a buttery sweet warning - which left other nosy reviewers to see , and bash/flame the bitch :) )who stole almost everything from my story. My whole Koizumi story (CAN"T get more original than that), and the scenes between Itachi and Sakura were the most prominent, she just changed the names, and put a bit less detail. Its a horrible feeling to see someone else has taken your ideas , and gotten credit for it . And ruined them, with their horrible writing skills. I wanted to gag.

And uh , if chance has it the publish date/update date is earlier than that of my own , which is SLIM TO NONE, you would probably find a similar idea like PINK EYES...but see a completley different plot line or whatever the hell else pertains to that "similar" idea.

DON'T DRAW CONNECTIONS TO THINGS THAT AREN'T THERE.

You'll only exhaust the worthless imaginary thing you call your brain.

And what blows is these bastards are anonymous so i can't just reply and tell them, soo that's why i decided to put this rant at the end of this chapter for every one to see. At the risk of my oh so booming popularity on this site . And because i am an author, i know that it takes time and effort to make these stories we make, so why would i steal ideas? Especially when i'm capable of writing my own? I'm not one of those idiotic people who have no sense of right and wrong. And who can't write for their lives.

Great, cool, you like writing, wanna try it out. Awesome for you. If it doesn't work out , and you know are a failure , and that you obviously make horrible life decisions , DON'T RESORT TO STEALING OTHER AUTHORS IDEAS!!

Oh and i promise i'm a nice person , actually . I guess i could take the time to apologize for my cunning crudeness - i could have taken a calmer , kinder approach , however sometimes that just doesn't cut it , relay what you want to imbed - especially when it comes to stupid people , the ignorant bunches . You all can judge me based on this little slab of words i've just written , go for it , but please , please don't act like you know me . Save me the time and breath , and yourself the humiliation of being owned to the third power - i would destroy you , from the mind out if you seek to challenge my words or values , and who i am as a cynical optimist . I really don't care what you think about me . I'm here to write fanfiction , not babysit little retards who don't know jack , and accounting for whatever thought that farts from their incompetent minds . It's a shame that people resort to stealing ideas , though it's even more ridiculous how people can't see things right in front of them , grasp the concept of things that are otherwise obvious to their closed - ignorant minds . I'm sorry you can't handle the fact that similar ideas happen - though i must admit , even i can't . It's hard to beleive that many people come to the same consensus free of any individual influence or display from others . Not even half the world is that bright . Or talented .

I'd personally like for someone to message me and reiterate that my story is the same as someone elses - and not the other way around , I'll give you a stamp for fucking stupidity . Please , show me one story that has the same plotline as mine , dialogue , battles , scenes , dramas , climaxes , weather , etc . .. Uhhh , you won't . Unless more fuckups have stolen from me - and of course if you can't wrap your head around the assumable foundation that many writers use from the anime series about Sasuke being gone , Sakura finding him , all that bizz . ZOMG , big woop . I'm talking about details , and all the twists and turns and ACTION i put into mine, things that change it from the whole norm of typical occurrences.

You really can't look at all my scenes, between Itachi and Sakura, Sasuke and Sakura, Itachi and Sasuke, Naruto and Hinata, Ino and Shikamaru, everybody, the battle scenes, the twists and turns, the way things lead up to each other, the way each chapter seems to have a story of it's own, the way each character's thoughts and emotions and reasonings are deeply and unconditionally delved into as to allow the complete involvement of it's readers into the story, the way i put hints of songs to play to make the reading more enjoyable and fit the scenes, you can't look at anything in my story and say they relate in any way to any single author. That I got any ideas or was influenced by anything i've read.There's no way. And if it's so, it's obvious that investigation is needed, to destroy pricks who would chose to belittle me and other authors by stealing. Stealing is for bad kids. And i trample on bad kids, all day, everyday.

They'll never get my lucky charms.

Oh, and for those of you who think that getting a little more than irked about it means i'm guilty, FUCK YOU. An author can only take so much of people going..Hmm..i've read this here, i've read this there..its really similar... Why dont you be smart for once in your life and check the fucking publish date ? Once you do you'll feel like a lowlife and realize how much of a moron you are.

And I will forgive you cause i know the statistics are high for people who suffer from STUPIDNESS.

Sorry for any of you who get offended , Really. But go cry me a fucking river while you're at it.

And i guess i'd like to add another small blurb about the assholes who don't review. I know who you are, this site tells me these things, who puts me on alert, all that fun stuff. And out of the VERY large number of people who have, only a fraction of that have the decency to drop and and say hi. It's not like it's a big thing, it's enough to know that your story is being read, and possibly appreciated. I'm all about giving to the crowd of mongrels, but damn, just don't bite the hand that feeds you. Not for this case. So, to all of your pricks who don't take the minute to drop at least one review for the entirety of this story. Thanks. I hate you all.

OH, one more thing. For those of you who are great and supportive of me. Much thanks , sugar cakes . I appreciate you being intelligent enough to realize that this really is my story , no strings attatched , no ideas stolen or borrowed. And being great, commited readers who take the time to review, and tell me what you think of my hard-effort-created story. It's all of you that keep me writing ! Well , actually , even the stupid kids too , just to show them an ability that they can't harbor in their retartedness . Yes , it must be human nature for us to laugh at others' (non-life threatening or destroying) misery .

Thanks, have a great day, and happy freaking writing.

Dumbtrickerita