Chapter 23: Holy Smoke Sasuke

"Sasuke, your body?" Sakura called surprised. Was this really him? Was this because of Orochimaru? She needed answers and she needed them now.

Sasuke glared at his hand, looking at the black marking wrap around his fingers. He felt furious. His beautiful Kira was hurt, and he couldn't protect her. she could have died, and he laid there sick. What kind of husband would do that?

Kira's eyes widen in surprise she didn't like how he looked, he was starting to scare her. What was he thinking? Those marking wrapping around his body like tattoos. "Sasuke." He looked away from his hand staring down at her. Kira felt a shiver of dread run down her spine. Just that look terrified her.

"You shouldn't…"

"Nothing to worry about. I feel fine. Strong bursting with power." He growled hatefully glaring at Zaku and Dosu. Kira shifted so that she could try and stop him, he couldn't fight them, no, he was still recovering! There was no way he could be perfectly fine again. He just had a forty degree temp. He needed to rest!

"Don't move. This won't take long." He patted her head softly "I understand now. I am an avenger, on the path I walk, I have to do whatever it takes to gain power even if it means selling my flesh to the devil."

Sell his flesh to the devil? He can't mean that thing Orochimaru was talking about before he ran off? Why would Sasuke run off to him? I just didn't make any sense.

"So…" Kira, Sakura, and Ino gulped at the look Sasuke was giving Zaku. "It was you." He growled hatefully. He'd make this bastard pay for hurting her.

Zaku gave his own little growl accepting the challenge. Too blind by his own arrogance to realize he was dead meat. "Ino! If you stay in that form, you'll be dragged into this! Get back into your own body!" Shikamaru shrieked hoisting Ino's up and dashing away from the incoming cross fire. "Choji, lets get moving! It's time we got out of here!"

Ino quickly returned to her body, everyone watched as the black marking quickly spread across his entire face the angrier, he got. Sasuke's chakra levels were inanely strong. There was no way he was just sick a few minutes ago. It just couldn't be the same guy. It's not possible!

"His chakra's immense!" Dosu stuttered staring wide eye at Sasuke surprised.

"Snap out of it, Dosu! Just because he refuses to die…" Zaku smirked getting ready for his latest attack. Stupid Zaku not realizing that he really shouldn't mess with Sasuke.

"Zaku no! Don't you get it?!" Dosu screamed watching Zaku shoot his arms out and scream 'Supersonic air -slice!'

Large powerful gusts of wind shot towards team seven. The wind broke through chunks of trees, ripping out chunks in the dirt ground. That blast would have killed Sakura and Kira if it hadn't been for Sasuke. Sasuke was so quick, he had saved his entire team from the blast. Throwing Sakura and Naruto over his shoulders he was able to lift Kira in his arms bridal style. It was incredible Sakura and Kira had never seen him move this fast before.

"Ha! Blew that pipsqueak to bits." Zaku laughed huffing as sweat dripped down his face.

"What pipsqueak is that?" Sasuke called appearing beside Zaku, wiping that confident look off his face. Quick as lightning, Sasuke's hand had shot over smacking him back a few feet by the sheer force of his strength.

Kira and Sakura sat on their knees watching amazed as Sasuke preformed his fireball ninjutsu erupting in a large ball of fire toward Zaku and Dosu.

"You're getting over confident! I can just blow these out!" Zaku screamed before seeing the shurikens flying within the flames. Making for the perfect distraction for Sasuke to swipe Zaku off his feet to his knees. Sasuke was quick to grasp both his arms and place a foot on his back immobilizing Zaku where he sat.

"After what you did…taking such pride in your arms. Time to bid them farewell." The girls watched horrified as Sasuke's grip never faultered. He was placing more weight on Zaku's back, yanking his arms further behind him. All anyone could hear was Zaku's screams of pain then a very distinctive snapping of bones.

Zaku's body slumped forward after Sasuke was done. "And then there was one. I hope you're more of a challenge."

"That isn't Sasuke!" Sakura sobbed "We need to do something."

"I can barely move. You have to be the one to stop him! You love him now help him!" Kira yelled nudging her away. "I got Naruto." Sakura nodded standing tall and dashing toward him. Sakura wrapped her arms around his body holding Sasuke back from moving again.

"Stop it!" She sobbed into his back, knocking Sasuke forward in surprise. "Please…" Sasuke looked back at Sakura confused, his eyes traveling over everyone. Everyone was beaten and bruised, they were tired of fighting. He proved his point.

'Please stop Sasuke,' Sasuke eyes widen slightly staring at the fear-stricken gaze she held. He didn't want Kira to ever be afraid of him, she was supposed to encourage him, laugh and smile. This isn't what he wanted.

'They hurt you.' The markings were slowly starting to fade.

'I'll be fine. Just stop. Please Sasuke.' She begged, he was searching her face for any lies. She was hurt and wanted him to spare the last enemy. The markings finally vanished all the energy Sasuke had was gone. He fell to the ground his legs wobbling.

"Sasuke!" Sakura was quick to catch him, preventing him from hurting himself any further.

"You're pretty tough." Dosu pulled out his scroll extending it towards Sasuke and placing it on the ground. "Obviously in your current state, we have no chance of defeating you, Sasuke. Please accept this as a token of my admiration and some reparation for your trouble and allow us to leave in peace." Dosu started to pick up Zaku, never taking his eyes off Sasuke. Almost as if Sasuke was a wild animal that could attack if he wasn't careful. He wasn't wrong though.

"After what we've done it may seem a lot to ask, but something big is afoot that merits further investigation and confirmation. I give you my word on behalf of us all, that if you let us go now then the next time we face you, we will stay 'til the battle is done, no matter how poorly we fare!" Dosu promised while Zaku moaned in pain.

Sasuke didn't like the idea of letting them go, but something was holding him back and it wasn't Sakura.

"Wait!" Dosu looked behind him confused. "You've got to tell me! Who is Orochimaru? What did he do to Sasuke?! Why was Sasuke the one he chose?!" Sakura demanded screaming for answers.

"I don't know, we were just following orders." Dosu shrugged disappearing in the distance.

"Hey! Are you all, alright?" Shikamaru yelled rushing over toward Kira and Naruto. He looked her over, she looked terrible. Scuffed and bruised, looking black and blue. She was just a mixture of red, black and blue all over.

"I'm alright, thank you for your help." She meant it, if they hadn't stepped in they'd have probably been dead.

"Its no problem but thank Ino. She was the one to rush in." Shikamaru looked over at his friend then back to Sakura. "My guess is that she couldn't think of anyone hurting Sakura. They might look like enemies on the outside but she still cares about her."

Kira smiled showing a few gaps in her teeth. "Yeah, Sakura's lucky to have her as a friend." Shikamaru nodded. Kira reached up rubbing her head, a frown graced her lips when she felt two bumps under her skin by the top.

She hissed, where those bumps were felt so sensitive…Did she hit her head a few times? She didn't remember hitting her head…weird. It just felt like something was pushing against her skin.

"You can count on me, Sakura. I'll protect you…" Naruto muttered in his sleep. He's waking up.

"So what about this one? Shall we kick him until he wakes up?" Shikamaru glared down at Naruto annoyed. Oh! Oh! Can I?" Choji called rushing over, he had a random stick in his hand and started to poke at Naruto.

"No." Kira answered Shikamaru could. No one would hurt Naruto again. Not with her watching over. Shikamaru rolled his eyes.

'Of course she would. Naruto is so oblivious its insane.'

Was it that obvious that she liked Naruto? They've been together for so long that some people had to pick it up that maybe one day they could maybe be together…who knows. But she knew she had to give up the fantasy that one day they'd be boyfriend and girlfriend. At least she'd have him as a friend.

"Gaaah!" Naruto yelled finally waking up. Kira, Shikamaru, and Choji stared down at Naruto. Choji held his stick ready to hit. Naruto looked around staring at Sasuke and Sakura sitting a few feet away and Ino helping Lee stand.

"Everybody get down, now!" Naruto screamed lying on his stomach looking at every crevice. "No telling where he is!" Choji whacked Naruto on the head with barely any strength.

"You don't have any impulse control at all, do you?" Shikamaru sighed shaking his head annoyed.

"What?!"

"Just watching you pisses me off."

Naruto looked around again but this time taking in his surroundings. "Huh? Hey Sakura!" Naruto got to his feet quickly running over toward the pinket.

"Sakura, your hair!"

"Oh! You mean this? I wanted to update my image a new look." Sakura started to play with her new hair feeling how short it was. "Long hair is fun, too and I really liked having it but lets be realistic. Where in the forest, fighting enemies, moving fast and this is so low maintenance." Sakura was playing it off like it wasn't any big deal.

Sakura loved playing with her long hair but now it was gone. She gave up one of her favorite qualities of herself today and replaced it with the balls to fight back and do some good. Kira walked over standing beside Naruto looking over his head for any other injuries.

"Hmmm…but why does Kira look like she was a human dart board?" Kira didn't know what to say? She got her ass kicked by a bunch of stronger bastards who just wanted to kill their teammate. "Who are all these guys and why are they here?" Naruto asked annoyed staring up at Shikamaru and Choji.

"They saved us." Kira caught his attention. "Something happened and Sakura and I needed help. We were lucky they helped us." Naruto nodded making an 'OOOO' face. "But what happened?"

"Those sound nin jerks from before." Naruto nodded completely understanding to a degree. "Okay…I get it…I think." Oh Naruto you loveable goof.

"You're an idiot. You know that, right?" Tenten called glaring down at her teammate.

"Your words are so sharp, if I try to answer back, I'll cut myself." Lee laughed to himself, his shoulders slumped while he hugged his knees.

"Hey! I kow you! The unibrow!" Naruto called smiling happily seeing Lee again, possibly wanting to battle. No one was expecting Sakura to stand tall and hit Naruto quite as hard while yelling "Don't you talk to Lee like that!"

Eyes bulged out staring at Sakura confused.

"Naruto is like the Olympic champion of cluelessness." Shikamaru called.

"He's one of life's natural born supporting players, a guy who couldn't even cut it as the star of his own life…or of his own comic…" Choji and Shikamaru laughed.

"I wouldn't say that, of course he's clueless, he was unconscious through the entire battle. But of course you already knew that didn't you Shikamaru." Shikamaru huffed rolling his eyes. 'Of course Kira to the defense.'

"He's an idiot, but he has a good heart." Kira smiled to herself thinking of Naruto. Shikamaru and Choji look at one another sharing the same thoughts. "I'll fill him in, you guys go rest up." She called limping toward her best friend.

"Why's everyone so mean?" he moaned lying on the ground.

"It was pretty crazy while you and Sasuke were passed out…" Kira started "Sakura and I weren't really talking and when those Sound bastards came they were crazy!"

"Wait…Sasuke was knocked out? How? What happened?"

"That snake dude that knocked you out, bit him. I don't know how or why he did it but Sasuke passed out having a high fever."

Over with Sakura and the gang Sakura was looking down at Lee with admiration in her eyes. "Lee, thank you." Lee looked up blushing brightly. "Thanks to your help, I've made some kind of breakthrough. My skills have been taken to a whole new level."

Lee started to sob. "I am not worthy. It was Sasuke!" Sasuke stared at him confused. "It seems so natural that a member of the renowned Uchiha clan would be the one with powers so incredible that he could rout those same Sound Nin's who beat me senseless." Lee bowed his head in shame.

Sasuke's eyes widen in surprise. Thoughts racing through his mind over what happened, looking over he saw Kira curled up beside Naruto clutching her head in pain.

'That's not possible. Kira and I are in the same strength level if those Sound Nin's were so powerful wouldn't she…They couldn't be that strong.'

"Sakura. The fighting lotus of Konoha village will grow and flower again. Before we meet again, I will have become a stronger man. I swear it!"

"Yeah!" Sakura agreed.

It wasn't long till it was just the original four. Sakura frowned staring at the Earth scroll in her hands. "What's up?" Naruto suddenly asked noticing her frown. He didn't like her upset.

"We only have the earth scroll. Orochimaru stole our Heaven scroll and we're too wounded to go out and fight another team." She sighed holding her bruised arm.

"What are you talking about?" Kira called pulling out a heaven scroll from her backpack. Sakura stared wide eyed surprised. She swore she saw Orochimaru burn it. "We have both scrolls."

"But Orochimaru…"

"Yeah after Sasuke decided to trade our scroll for our lives and Naruto intervened. I got the scroll and duplicated it. It was just another illusion."

"Then what did he destroy?" Sakura demanded. She like the rest of her team wanted to get out of the forest as fast as possible.

"He destroyed my book…I had a feeling…I wasn't sure if I should have done it or not but I guess it was a good call… I transformed my book to look identical to the scroll. So while Sasuke and Naruto were arguing I swapped them out."

Sasuke's chest filled with pride while Naruto laughed and jumped around saying something along the likes of 'we're gonna pass, we're gonna pass!' Sakura could only think about a nice warm bath to sooth her aching muscles. She felt so relieved. As soon as they completed this exam she had a date with the bath.

Sasuke and Naruto watched as Sakura and Kira hugged. They didn't know why they were hugging or why they were apologizing to one another. But Sakura knew she needed to apologize, she didn't mean to snap at her like she did.

Kira felt the urge to apologize as well. She was angry and was hurt. She was hurt that Sakura would always chose to help Sasuke over Naruto. She knew that it wasn't her fault but she was so badass attacking Zaku trying to help protect her and the boys. She really has grown.

After pulling away Kira smiled at Naruto and Sasuke, she was just glad they were okay. Kira's eyes stayed on the tattoo like mark though. She wasn't sure how Sasuke did that or how his chakra grew so large in size. It was scary.

After a day of rest Kira and her group made the trek for the temple.

It was long and hard, the group ran into a few enemies but were the victor. They even ran across Kabuto along the way, he was away from his group and knew it was better to go as a group then alone. Through the night and day everyone finally made it to the temple. Sasuke wasn't doing the best but he was okay. The mark on his neck hurt him whenever he used his sharingan.

"Later Kabuto." They waved walking into the room Sakura was helping Sasuke walk even though he would have rather had Kira.

Inside the room they were alone. The walls were practically bare besides the plaque on the wall. "There's no one here…" Naruto looked around wondering where someone might be.

"I'm all right Sakura, you can let go." Sasuke pushed Sakura away from him giving her an annoyed look. She kept squeezing his arm and tugging him closer to her.

"Oh, okay."

"So what do we do now?" Naruto asked confused.

"If qualities of Heaven are your desire, Acquire the wisdom and knowledge to take your mind higher. If earthly qualities are what you lack, train your body in the fields and prepare to attack. When both Heaven and Earth are opened together. The path of peril will revert to the righteous path forever. This " "is the secret way… that guides us on from this place today." It was a quote from the third Hokage. Kira reread the passage over and over again.

"What's that supposed to mean." Naruto groaned annoyed by the riddle itself.

"I think we have to open the scrolls together." Naruto looked at Kira confused. "Then what are we waiting for?"

Naruto took out the earth scroll while Kira took out the Heaven. She handed it to Sakura watching closely for what would be in those scrolls.

In the middle of the scroll was the word 'Person' and 'Humanity.' It didn't make any sense. Why did we just guard these with our lives for nothing. Did we pass the test? Was there more to the test?

The scrolls started to sizzle as if it was going to explode! "Naruto! Sakura! Drop the scrolls! Now!" Sasuke yelled, his voice in a panic. Sasuke instructed everyone to pull out their weapons and be ready to attack. Sakura and Kira mentally groaned at the idea of more fighting. They barely healed from their wounds the night before.

"Huh?"

"What?"

"You're…"

"Iruka sensei?"

"Hey kids, it's been a while, eh?" Iruka called smiling at his four former students. Pride in his eyes, they've done well. Better than he thought they would.

"I don't understand!" Sakura screamed not sure what to do. Did we pass? Why was Iruka Sensei here? Was he the next opponent? So many questions ran through the kids heads.

"You four look like you've been through the wringer." Iruka stated the obvious.

"Iruka sensei what are you doing here? Popping out of the summoning spell?" Naruto yelled completely dumfounded like the rest of his team.

"The spell was designed to that we Chunin could greet the applicants at the end of the second exam. It was just good luck that I got to be the messenger for you four." Messenger? A smile crept its way onto Kira's face.

"Messenger?" Sakura whispered still confused.

"So we passed?" Kira called questioningly, excitement bubbling inside her.

Iruka chuckled to himself "Congratulations, you've all passed the second exam within four days." Kira and Naruto locked eyes excitedly. They passed! They passed! "This calls for a celebration! I wish I could take you out for Ramen at Ichiraku's…" He paused.

Naruto launched himself over at Iruka sensei screaming "YES!" Sakura sank to her knees breathing in a breath of relief. Sasuke sank to the floor utterly exhausted. Kira held a hand over her lips laughing to herself over how happy Naruto was. Even Iruka sensei thought it was cute staring down at the bouncing Naruto.

Naruto let go of Iruka and ran over to Kira jumping excitedly. "WE PASSED!" He pulled her in the air spinning around. The sudden movement hurt but she forced the smile to stay. She couldn't ruin his good mood, he looked so cute.

"Knock it off will you!" Sakura screamed annoyed.

"He keeps going and going…" Sasuke sighed annoyed his neck aching, throbbing every now and then.

"You haven't slowed down a bit, eh Naruto?" Iruka called laughing to ease the tension. He always thought how cute those two would be. She stuck to him through everything and did her best to help him succeed. Naruto really was lucky to have her as a friend.

They had finally passed the second exam with a day to spare. Everyone's muscles ached, Kira couldn't wait to sleep in her own bed. Get some food, play with the dogs. While Iruka led everyone out of the forest safely, everyone kept thinking of what they could do for the rest of the day.

Most of it was resting and eating a decent meal. "Make sure you meet back at the school at nine in the morning tomorrow." Everyone agreed. Iruka left with Naruto promising to buy him a bowl of ramen, Sakura trudged home dragging her feet, begging for her bed. Leaving only Sasuke and Kira alone.

"You doing okay?" Kira asked Sasuke. She saw how he kept clutching his neck in pain. "What was with that speech you gave before you broke Zaku's arms?" she questioned again.

"Who?" He didn't know what she was talking about. He was looking at her face, her pretty face. A large dark bruise covered the side of her head. He couldn't look away. It was his fault she was hurt. "What are you talking about?"

Sasuke and Kira started to walk in the direction of their homes. "The guy who's arms you broke. You know the over confident one." Sasuke nodded in understanding finally figuring out what she was getting at.

"Ah, just don't worry about it." He tried to leave it as it was.

"No. What did you mean by sell your flesh to the devil? You aren't actually thinking about fighting Orochimaru again! You saw how that went." She reminded annoyed. She struggled to keep pace with the jerk. He was fast.

"And now I feel stronger than before."

"You almost died jackass." Sasuke paused to stare at her confused. "Your fever was too high. Sakura stayed by your side all night trying to cool you down. Your temp was too high. We didn't know if you'd make it through the night."

She was worried about him. Watching over him all night long to make sure he didn't die on her, his heart hammered in his chest. "Y-you don't have to worry about me." He stuttered walking towards her. He just wanted to hold her close, listen to her heart beat, breath in her scent. He couldn't wait to hold her in his arms at night to sleep.

She'd be so warm and would curl up beside him. Clutching on real tight, her head on his chest dead to the world but he remembered all those cute noises she would make in her sleep. He couldn't wait for those days.

"Back to earth Sasuke." Kira snapped her fingers in front of his face. His eyes zeroed in on her fingers then her face. She truly was beautiful.

"Stop nagging me." Though to be honest he loved her nagging him. It wasn't often but she looked so cute.

"You're unbelievable." She growled throwing her hands in the air as she walked away. "Stupid no good Uchiha. It's like he has a death wish or something!" She grumbled to herself. Sasuke couldn't help smiling at her, she was just so cute.

"I didn't know you cared Kira," Of course he knew she cared. She had to have cared. He was just being cocky right now. Trying to get under her skin.

"I hate you." She growled walking faster.

"There's no need to feel embarrassed, I know it'll come as a shock to you but I do know a few other girls in the village would feel the same way. So it's okay that you have a crush on me." He mocked, he loved the murderous look in her eyes she looked so tantalizing.

"I don't like you!" She yelled annoyed.

"Sure you don't." He laughed watching her get so flustered was so much fun. He wished they could be alone more often.

"Go to hell Sasuke." He watched her storm over to her house and unlock the door. The door slammed shut very loudly. He laughed to himself staring at her small home. It wasn't the type of place to raise children. Uchiha compound though, the Uchiha compound was perfect. But children were way down the line.

He smirked to himself walking further to his home. Running across Gaara in his travels. Their eyes met and already a rivalry was commenced. Each after the heart of the gray haired beauty. But the question was, who would win?