The next chapter of Blood is Thicker than Bone. We see Kimimaro and how the three years had been for him with his new family. Also Orochimaru and Sasuke finally return to The Elemental Nations as well

A lone ANBU was seen in a field surrounded by several enemy ninjas. Each of them had a marking through the hitai-ate they wore marking them as Missing Nin. They were his targets as he was to kill them.

The figure stood there impassively, showing nothing behind the mask he wore, which had the face of a panther which he possessed a summon contract with. Unlike othe ANBU he wore no weapons or gear on his person. Having tracked them to their hideout he prepared to face them. Despite being outnumbered five to one he showed no fear as they approached him on all sides.

The first attacked, swinging a chain at him. The chain wrapped around his left arm and the man yanked it thinking to pull him off balance and leave him open to attack. The ANBU countered by gripping and pulling on the chain surprising the ninja as he pulled him towards him using him as a shield for attacks.

A ninja swung a sword at him and hit the man he had pulled over killing him, The ANBU then kicked the body into the other ninja knocking him down and leapt forward and stomped him on the throat crushing it as he then moved on the attack.

He attacked swiftly and with precision as he fought against them, dodging and moving to evade their attacks and strikes.

He ducked under an attack and from his bare arms a pair of knives appeared sprouting out of his body and he slashed the person across the throat. The stunned ninja reached up to his throat unable to talk or breathe as he bleed out.

He swiftly dispatched the other two as well in a matter of seconds.

The Battle was over and the targets had been killed. The bone weapons that had sprouted out of his body then retracted back into his figure. The ability granted to him by his Clan's Bloodline and Kekkai Genkai.

Reaching up to his mask, The ANBU then removed it revealing a white haired figure with green eyes and two red markings on his head and his hair having two small red tubes in it. Kimimaro Kaguya looked on at the fallen bodies making sure they were dead, he paid no attention to the corpses as this was his job although he took no pleasure in it. As an ANBU he was an assassin, meant do deal with foes and eliminate them. The lesser than glorious side that no one mentions of being a ninja. To him, it was just a part of life.

He had grown in the three years, he was now over six feet matching Kakashi's height as his body had developed during the years as he stood tall and straight a complete contrast to when he was sick and dying beforehand. Kimimaro collected the heads placing them into bags as proof he had slain them and within a day was back at Konoha, his new home.

Home...

Kimimaro didn't know the meaning of the word Home. To most it meant safety and comfort. Going up amongst the barbaric turned Kaguyas meant that there was no safety as a moment's hesitation could wind up in death amongst the savage clan of his lead by his Father. For the next seven years after the death of his Clan, the closest thing he could call home was the constant bases that he was moved to with his former Master, Orochimaru. Always on the move from one country to the next where they were at until he was stricken with his disease that kept him in The Land of Sound on constant medication and strapped to machines. And now Konoha, The Hidden Leaf Village was his new home. Having been cured of his disease by The Godaime the air around Konoha felt different as most went about their lives in a carefree manner, unafraid of any possible attacks or danger whether from enemies or their own citizens.

He had family there. His loudmouth Cousin that he never knew that he had until The Sandaime Hiruzen Sarutobi sent him a secret message that Naruto Uzumaki was related to him, and that he also possessed Shikotsumyaku, Dead Bone Pulse. They were the last of their respective Clans

Kimimaro allowed a small smile to form on his face as he openly walked the streets clad in his ANBU gear. "You truly are something else cousin." He noted. "You risked your life for me, not because you saw me as a tool or weapon, but because I am your family." He said as the boy was unlike anyone else he had ever met. Having moved Heaven and Earth to find a way to cure him despite the fact his body was all but in the grave. Unlike his bastard Father and Orochimaru, Naruto saw him as a human person. "Fate has quite a strange tale to weave." He said to himself. "I owe you a great debt for what you've done to me saving my life."

After delivering the heads to the headquarters he turned and walked away going through the streets. Kimimaro went on and most give him a fair berth of distance. Some looked on with admiration for his skills, a few others with uncertaintly due to the tales of his Clan's vicious past despite him having been here for three years as he was eighteen now. He paid them no mind knowing they were fools and ignorant to judge.

He continued to go until he stopped looking on at the place across from him, although he stayed out of sight, he could see the red headed woman inside there, happily serving Ramen with a smile on her face as she served a group of Ninjas, his cousin oddly enough not amongst them.

"Mother." Kimimaro softly said looking on at Ayako Uzumaki. "Three years and I still find it hard to believe you're alive." He stated as he stared at her watching on. Part of him yearned to go in there but he stayed put.

After defecting to Konoha showing to his former Master that he was no longer a Pawn, Kimimaro had been shocked to encounter his Mother in Konoha one day. At first he had been happy for the moment he had saw her but then anger appeared in his heart.

Seven long years she had been gone and then reappeared in his life, having vanished the day when The entire Kaguya Clan was slaughtered to a man by Kirigakure and The Mizukage's mad desire to eradicate all Kekkai Genkai's.

"Run away! Don't ever look back! Go!"

His mother had shouted those words for him to run when The Kaguya's were being exterminated in The Battle. Every last one being killed in battle. Those were the last words she said to him before he had ran away from the battle fleeing for his life. He had thought his Mother would be following him, that she would join up with him and they would go and start a new life together. But she had never showed. Forcing him to live on his own from that point on.

When Ayako had appeared in Konoha he was stunned. "My Little Kimi-kun." She had said as it was her nickname for her only child. He had taken almost a month for him to speak to her and to finally attempt to repair things between them as despite it all he couldn't find himself in his heart to stay angry at her.

He had served as a silent guardian for her, watching his mother from afar over the past three years but out of her line of sight so she didn't notice as her chakra sensing and ninja skills had long gone dull. Although he had found it in his heart to forgive her not being there, he kept his distance from her. He saw that she was happy being here and living with his cousin. Kimimaro deeply loved his Mother, the only person he had cared for until he met Naruto. Unlike his wretched Father were if he knew where whatever hole he had been thrown into that served as his grave after the battle, he would go and piss on it.

Kimimaro continued to watch on at her, staring from afar and out of sight. Not moving from the spot as he stared on at the scene. The relationship between Mother and Son was still damaged between them

"If you're happy being here Mother, than you don't need me anymore." Kimimaro solemnly said to her before departing as she was shown laughing.

Naruto was shown in the training grounds, working out by himself as his team had had the day off after finishing their mission. He was getting some work in as he examined his work as he clutched his arm.

"Man, I've got to find a way to fix this." He said looking on at his damaged hand examining the cuts and wounds. "I time and time it but everytime its the same result." Naruto noted with a frown. He was trying out a new move, an advanced version of The Rasengan. One that if used correctly would destroy everything in its path.

The move was powerful, no doubt being Upper A Class, and would kill anyone it hit but the drawbacks were too high to him for it to be used. The first time he had tried it it felt like his entire arm was going to be torn to shreds forcing him to be in a sling for a week. A lesser man would only have a stump of an arm left after attempting it. "I know there's a way to perfect it." Naruto said as his hand gradually healed itself thanks to Kyuubi's healing factor as the cuts and scars vanished on there. He flexed the hand forming a fist and shook it to shake away the burning sensation in it.

Naruto stretched his arms out and sprouted a pair of bone claws from his knuckles and did practice jabs and slashes with them. He knew the sword style well enough, now he had spent the past year working on a Tekko Kagi style of fighting as he needed more than just one.

"Things have been quiet recently." He said to himself as he did a series of Katas. "Haku and the others are suppose to be back soon I was told. From what I've heard everything's gone silent with no sign of anything happening." Naruto said as he continued to work out. "Sakura-chan is at the hospital, and apparently there's some rumor about some gangly looking creature with a tail been spotted around in The Forest of Death collecting poisons from there." He mused as he had heard some tales from others about how some odd creature had been seen in there.

"Well if something happens, I'll be the first to know I'm sure." He said finishing up after a while. "But I need to get stronger still if I'm going to protect Konoha and everyone here." Naruto said before he left to head home.

As Naruto walked away, he was unaware of a figure appearing from behind a tree and watching on at his departing figure. The female had long blue hair and violet eyes which were a symbol of her Clan, she wore her hitai-ate across her neck and was wearing a purple jacket and jean pants.

Hinata Hyuga looked on as she saw Naruto leave, her crush. The boy that she was in love with. She looked on watching the blonde depart unaware of her presence the whole time. She had watched and witnessed his training the whole time he had been here. It had been something she had done, watching him from afar, wishing she had the courage and not this crippling shyness that prevented her from going to him.

Hinata murmured softly to herself as she watched on as Naruto left and brought her index fingers up and rubbed them together. She wished she didn't have to hide from him. "I should be there beside you. But I will soon Naruto-kun."

She had to tell him, she had to tell Naruto her feelings for him. She just needed the right moment to do so when they were alone and with no one else around. She had kept it bottled up inside her for all these years that she couldn't bear it anymore. Hinata knew she had to do this, she just had to find the time and courage in order to do so.

She was going to finally tell him she loved him, that she had always been in love with him ever since they first met. And she prayed that he would give her the answer that she was hoping for.

"The fish are biting, the sun's shining and there's no work to be done. This is what I call a perfect day!" An old man said as he was seated with his grandson the two having a fishing pole each. Beside them was a basket filled with fish that they had caught today.

A bustling Village was shown as many people were seen going about their business as vendors selled their wares as the citizens of Wave went about their daily lives. What had once been a ghost town was now a hubbub filled with life and laughter, no longer would a person have to worry about going to bed hungry or unfair taxes and tariffs placed on them. Wave had undergone a transformation since then, a place where everyone had smiles on their faces.

A group of people walked by past Tazuna and Inari as they were shown fishing on the shore and waved to him which he returned.

"Mom's going to be happy with what we've caught." Inari his grandson said to him and Tazuna chuckled.

"She'll be up to her fish so much she'll accuse us of wanting to become part fish." He told his grandson as he reached over and ruffled his hair.

Since Gato's fall, Tazuna had become something of an unofficial Leader amongst the inhabitants of Wave as many had looked to him for leadership and guidance since then. The Bridge Builder's life was now a happy one and so was his Daughter and Grandson's. He looked on over at the constructed Bridge built three years ago and smiled as he always did when he saw it as it was sign of what had been accomplished.

"Gramps, what's that?" Inari said pointing in the distance as something caught his eye.

"Hmm?" Tazuna said and looked on in the direction he was pointing at. Tazuna peered out into the distance when he saw a large object forming in the sea.

A ship?

Tazuna's eyes weren't as sharp as they used to be but he could make out the vessel. It was odd to him, their was no reports of any ships coming to Wave. Ships were a rarity anymore since they were connected to the mainland now.

He looked on when he spotted a second ship as well that emerged. And then another, And then another, and then a fifth.

Alarm was going off in his mind as he realized what it meant. "Shit...Inari!" He shouted to his grandson. "Ring the bell! Alert the entire place! We're under attack!" He ordered him as too many years had given him the knowledge of what it meant and Inari although panicking quickly ran off to do what he said. When Otogakure had attacked Wave three years ago, a Militia had been formed by its inhabitants afterwards that was to be assembled at a moment's notice upon the ringing of a large bell in the center of the village. The Militia was capable of beating back assaults from sea as many fisherman boats had been outfitted with rams that could puncture holes into ships. Tazuna looked on dread growing in his stomach as he saw more and more ships appear.

Never before had he seen so many ships! It was if the entire world was converging upon them.

The bell was soon rung alerting all of Wave what was happening and soon everyone, bore witness to the sight of the massive fleet, any hope they had of beating them back quickly disappeared when one let loose with a catapault, launching a barrel that was on fire that which slammed into a watchtower and destroyed it.

A warning shot. A sign of what was to come. To further sink any hope they had of resisting and fighting them off, two giant snakes then appeared from out of the water. Massive and terrible creatures with heads bigger then houses. The beasts hissed showing their giant fangs as one of them wrecked and turned over a ship capsizing it as they spread chaos throughout the country.

Orochimaru having summoned the reptiles to strike fear into them was shown standing on the deck of the largest ship, Kimu's personal vessel as he inhaled the air and allowed a smile to form on his face taking in the familiar scent that he hadn't forgotten.

Three years, three years he had been gone but at last he was home.

He had used his experiments to gather favor with Kimu, using strength boosting drugs to empower his army. His army had conquered the Island with his aid and now he had come back at long last to have his revenge. Already one of his experiments he had brought with him was locked up down below in a cell.

"Fear," Kimu stated stepping forward. "The Country is rank with it." He noted as he marched across the ship. "Let it consume and engulf them for a while longer before we ease their suffering." He ordered.

The fleet numbered in the hundreds it seemed like, as more and more ships appeared as Kimu had brought forth his entire army. War vessels armed with balistas and catapaults that would pound Wave and all its inhabitants into oblivion. The militia that Wave had would stand no chance whatsoever against them.

A ship soon separated from the fleet and approached the Village and docked. It carried the flag of parlay on it as it did not mean to attack. A figure stood on the rail of the ship looking down below at them.

Tazuna looked on at the figure who had silver grey hair and wore glasses an arrogant smirk on his face. Despite the massive odds against them, he stood there with utter defiance on his face as he would not be intimidated no matter how many of them was there.

"I can see now you know our intentions." Kabuto Yakushi said to him. "You show much courage in standing your ground but you know that you can't win."

"What do you want?" Tazuna demanded from him. "Why have you come here? We're a peaceful village, we have no army or have ever provoked another country."

"Unconditional Surrender." Was his answer. "Lord Kimu demands that Wave surrenders to him."

"I have not heard of this Kimu, for all I care he can rot in the abyss for his actions." Tazuna replied to him and Kabuto was amused.

"You should consider your words wisely old man," Kabuto taunted him. "If you surrender, Wave shall be spared and its inhabitants allowed to live. If you do not, he has promised that Wave shall be destroyed down to the very last building until their is nothing left of this place as we have enough firepower to sink this entire place underwater. The men will be killed, the surviving women will be given to his soldiers for their pleasure and the children will be sold into slavery. You wouldn't happen to have a grandson would you?" He asked him curiously. Tazuna bit his tongue as it took everything he had to not curse him out. "Those are his terms, one hour you have been granted to make your choice. I trust that wisdom shall prevail in the end." He said and then the ship departed.

Tazuna met up with other prominent figures in Wave as they had to come to a decision as to what to do. The meeting was short as morale was low as none were bold enough to try to resist or fight back.

"We have no choice." Tazuna bitterly said to them. "Their forces number far too many for us to combat. For the sake of our people and children, we must surrender."

Wave drew up a white flag soon, surrending to The Fleet as they had been conquered with only a single shot having been fired.

"Hardly even a skirmish wouldn't you say Kimu?" Orochimaru said to the Warlord who stood out from his chambers as his warship docked at the village port and his soldiers entered Wave. "If only the rest of the land will be so easy." He said with a chuckle.

The Warlord touched down upon the soil as the helmeted figure brought a hand down and staked the blades of his gauntlet into the dirt. After his long exile when he had watched his entire clan and army be slaughtered he was back at last and he would not be stopped. Kimu looked on at the scene as the inhabitants of Wave were frightened of him, fearful for their lives. Cold disdain in his eyes as there was not a warrior amongst them as The Soldiers began occupying Wave taking over it.

To Tazuna it was like reliving the past where his beloved home was like before as he saw the men disembark from the ship. Armed with weapons they descended onto Wave. He could only watch helplessly at scene. He looked around as they weren't afraid to beat them if any showed resistance as the inhabitants were surrounded and outnumbered a hundred to one. If they wanted to, they could slaughter them all on a whim

He looked on with despair in his heart when he then saw someone standing at The Great Naruto Bridge. The figure had dark hair and wearing a white shirt with a bow around his waist. What was noticable was he had a symbol of a red fan on the back of it. He looked on when he saw the figure raise his hand and unleashed a Jutsu that destroyed the sign and prepared another as if he was trying to destroy the bridge.

"What are you doing?!" Tazuna shouted and shoved and pushed his way to the Bridge. "Get away from that!" He ordered the person fury in his eyes. He was not going to let him destroy what he had worked so hard to build and had named in tribute to the person who had inspired so many. The person turned around and looked on at him. Seeing him, Tazuna recognized the ninja.

"Sasuke?" The bridge builder said in confusion at seeing the figure before him. He was older and taller yes but there was no misplacing who it was as he remembered the boy from three years ago. Sasuke recognized him as well but did not say anything. Tazuna's outburst was replaced with confusion at seeing the teenager before him, he looked on at him wondering why was Sasuke here and doing with them.

Tazuna confused as to why Sasuke was here was suddenly struck from behind and he fell to the ground his hat having been knocked off.

Sasuke looked on with little emotion at the scene as a group grabbed him and hauled him away.

The inhabitants of Wave, all of them were forced to gather in the center with weapons aimed at them as they were being forced to bow to their new ruler. Amongst them was Inari and his Mother Tsunami as both looked on concerned as neither had seen their other family member.

Kimu was shown seated on a throne as The Warlord made his first step of conquest. Orochimaru was shown as well his arms crossed over his chest looking on as this was a good spot for him to have as a new base of operations and their was plenty of specimens amongst the villagers.

An outburst was heard as a pair of soldiers were seen dragging forward someone

Tazuna, dirty and unkempt but still resisting was brought forward by two men who were holding him as he struggled against him. The man fought against them as they held the old man who would not be quiet

"Bastards!" He shouted at them. "What gives you the right to come here and enslave us?" He yelled at them. He was socked in the stomach by one of them forcing him to one knee but he pulled himself up. "Damn you!" He cursed at Kimu and then turned his head towards Sasuke. "And damn you as well Uchiha!"

"It is a shame you chose to do something so foolish Tazuna." Sasuke said to him

"It is a shame! A shame that you didn't die that day when I first encountered you!" Tazuna snapped at him disgust in his eyes. "My family welcomed you into my home, broke bread with you and this is how you repay us?" He accused Sasuke "To throw away everything you know, your friends and family in Konoha to just become another Gato? No! You're even worse than that bastard could ever be!"

"Keep quiet or I'll have your head." Sasuke warned him in anger.

Tazuna in response spat right at his face in defiance. Showing nothing but contempt for him. A look of fury flashed across Sasuke's face as his killing intent filled the entire village

"Execute him." Kimu ordered from his throne. "He shall be an example to the rest here."

"No!" Tsunami shouted fear in her eyes at what he said. Many of the villagers began to scream and shout in protest, begging for mercy to be shown to him as Tazuna was then forced to his knees. The old man remained defiant refusing to allow fear to show on his face.

"Do what you said you would Sasuke-kun." Orochimaru said to him. "Show him the penalty for disrespecting you like he has done." He told him and Sasuke wordlessly drew out his sword

"No! Grampa!" Inari yelled trying to push his way through to him. He was held back by his Mother as he too would be killed if he tried to.

"Hush child. Do not be afraid for me Inari," Tazuna said speaking calmly to them. "I love both you and my Daughter and always will. I go to be with your Father Kaiza now." He said before turning to face Sasuke. "May The Gods' help you Sasuke, for you have gone and damned your soul with your actions." He stated speaking his last before solemnly closing his eyes as he lowered his head and prepared himself.

Inari cried out tears in his eyes as Tsunami covered his face with her hands. Not wanting him to see what was going to happen as she did not want him to witness it as she blinded his sight. The citizens of Wave tried to fight back and free him but were held back by the soldiers.

Sasuke stood beside him and clutched his sword placing it against Tazuna's neck. He said nothing and showed no consequence or hesitation in his action as he then brought the sword up overhead. Tazuna didn't move or flinch knowing what was going to happen as he accepted his fate Sasuke then brought his sword down

A swishing sound was heard and the crowd screamed in terror at the sight they witnessed. Sasuke wordlessly sheathed his sword as he stared at the body with no remorse over what he had done paying no attention to Inari's screams and sobs.

Wave witnessed a dark day the likes in which they had never seen before in its history. Many more who tried to resist were executed as well and their homes burned down as they were conquered in the span of a few hours as martial law was imposed. Every able bodied man even those as young as ten was taken from his family and forcefully conscripted into the army, forced to serve or their entire family would be killed. Wave and its inhabitants were brought under heel by Kimu The Warlord making it his first conquest in his return.

Not even Zabuza Momochi's grave was safe, as his resting place was descreated and his Zanbato Sword stolen, taken by one of Orochimaru's men for his own selfish needs.

Orochimaru stood out from the balcony of the building that was his new headquarters taking in the sight as he had returned to The Elemental Nations at long last.

Sasuke also stood out looking to the Main Land knowing that his long awaited reencounter with Naruto would be happening soon.

A/N: That's it for this chapter. Review please. The meat of the story begins next chapter