::19::

It was a cold winter morning when Harry, Ron, Hermione, Naruto and Sai Dissaparated onto a small hill that over looked the Burrow. Harry, Ron and Hermione stood there for a moment, looking at it.

"It's weird being this close and not going in…" Said Ron.

"You were just home." Said Hermione coolly.

"Not there!" Said Ron. "Think I go back there to tell them I walked out on you? Fred and George probably would have killed me and Ginny? Yeah, she'd be real understanding." Said Ron.

"Where'd you go then?" Asked Naruto from a few feet away.

"Shell Cottage; Bill and Fleur's new place. Bill wasn't too happy, but he didn't go on about it. Bill told Mum and Dad that he and Fleur wanted to spend their first Christmas by themselves. Fleur wasn't too put out by it."

Then they turned their back on the Burrow and searched for the Lovegood house. "There!" Said Ron pointing at the top of the hill after an hour or so. "That's gotta be it!"

Ron, Naruto and Sai reached the top first, Harry and Hermione straggling behind. Ron seemed excited that his guess was correct as he pushed open the gate and they walked along a zig-zagged path crowded with exotic looking plants. Hermione rapped at the door and a few moments later, Xenoplilius Lovegood appeared, looking like he had seen better days. His eyes darted to each of them before he spoke. "What? What is it? Who are you? What do you want?"

"Talk about twenty questions." Muttered Naruto.

Harry held out his hand. "Hello Mr. Lovegood, I'm Harry Potter." Xenoplilius did not take his hand, but instead looked at his scar.

"Is it ok if we talk to you?" Asked Harry, not pleased by the welcome they received.

"I don't know…" Said Xenoplilius in a reluctant voice. "Helping Harry Potter…a dangerous gamble…"

"It won't take long." Harry persisted.

Xenophilius stared at the group a few moments longer, Naruto growing increasingly impatient before he sighed. "Oh...ok...come in. Quickly!" He ushered them in and slammed the door behind them.

Stepping through the door, Naruto looked aghast at his surroundings. 'Too much.' He thought. The house was cluttered with papers and books with an odd assortment of items lying around, some sitting haphazardly on pedestals.

"You better come up…" Said Xenoplilius in an uncomfortable tone as he led the way up the stairs. As soon as they reached the top, Xenoplilius turned on them. "What exactly are you doing here?"

"We need some help." Said Harry.

Xenoplilius' eyes narrowed. "Helping…Harry Potter…a dangerous thing to do…" He said, intoning his comment from before.

"But isn't that what you tell everyone to do in that magazine of yours?" Asked Ron. "To help Harry?"

Xenoplilius pursed his lips. "Ah…yes, I have expressed that view…"

"So what? You tell others to do it, but you don't do it yourself?" Asked Naruto annoyed. Xenoplilius swallowed and did not answer.

"Where's Luna?" Asked Naruto. "She can help."

Again, Xenoplilius looked nervous as he answered. "She is down at the stream and…I'm sure she would like to see you…very well…I'll help. Care for some tea?" He asked quickly before disappearing down the stairs.

"Humph." Naruto snorted. "Cowardly baka."

"We probably shouldn't be surprised," Said Ron, casually prodding at an odd object that was sitting on a table before Hermione smacked his finger away, "It turns out that Xenophilius is just as strange and cowardly as everyone expected him to be."

A moment later, Xenoplilius returned carrying a tray of teacups and a teapot. "Have a seat." He insisted.

The group squashed themselves onto one couch as Xenoplilius poured the tea. "Infusion of Gurdyroot?" He asked, offering a cup. "Luna should be back soon, she is very excited to see you here…"

Xenoplilius took his seat and then looked at Harry. "Now Mr. Potter, how may I help you?"

"Well…it's about that symbol you wore to Bill and Fleur's wedding. We were wondering what it meant." Said Harry.

Xenoplilius raised his eyebrows. "Are you referring to the Deathly Hallows?"

Naruto scrunched his nose up. "Eh?"

Xenoplilius nodded, not surprised. "I am not surprised. Very few wizards believe in them these days. Take that knuckle headed wizard at the wedding," He said, nodding at Ron, "Who attacked me for wearing the sign of a well-known dark wizard. But there is in fact, nothing dark at all about them, at least in a crude sense."

"I…still don't understand." Said Harry.

"Well…I assume you are familiar with the story the Three Brothers." He asked, looking around the couch expectantly. The ninja and Harry answered no, while Ron and Hermione answered yes.

"Well Mr. Potter, the whole thing starts there…I have a copy somewhere…" Xenophilius muttered as he began to look around when Hermione pulled out her copy.

"Here." She said, holding the book out to Xenophilius.

Xenoplilius eyed it. "The original? Well…you better read it, so we all understand…"

Hermione cleared her throat nervously as she opened the book and started to read. Harry, Sai and Naruto listened with rapt interest to the story that Hermione read about the Three Brothers who encountered Death and in return, were each given an object that would help escape Death. Then Hermione stopped reading and snapped the book shut.

"Well, there you are." Said Xenophlilius after a few seconds, sitting back in his seat.

"Sorry?" Said Hermione. She raised an eyebrow and there was confusion written on her face.

"There was no mention of Deathly Hallows." Said Sai.

"These are the Deathly Hallows." Said Xenophlilius, gesturing to the book.

Xenophilius scrounged a quill and scrap piece of paper from a pile on the floor and put it on the table in front of them. "The Elder Wand…" He said drawing a vertical line, "…The Resurrection Stone…" He drew a circle over the line, "…And the Cloak of Invisibility." He drew a triangle encasing both the line and the circle to create the famed symbol. "Together, the Deathly Hallows."

The five still had a look of confusion so Xenophilius continued. "Of course there is no explicit mention of the word Deathly Hallows in the book...this is a mere children's story, told to amuse rather than instruct. But if all three are united, it will make the possessor Master of Death."

There was silence for a bit before Hermione spoke up. "You mean…you think these…Hallows…actually exist?" There was skepticism in her voice.

"Of course." Said Xenophilius.

"How can you possibly believe that?" She asked.

Xenophilius raised his eyebrows at her. "You are awfully close minded." He commented.

Hermione face turned sour as Ron and Harry raised their eyebrows in amusement. "We all know there are such things as Invisibility Cloaks…they are rare, but they exist…" Hermione stated.

"Ah! But the third Hallow is a true Cloak of Invisibility!" Exclaimed Xenophilius. "Not some strong disillusion charm or anything like that. This is a cloak that truly renders the wearer invisible, no matter what spells are cast. How many cloaks have you seen like that Ms. Granger?"

Naruto opened his mouth, confused, but Hermione placed her hand over his as she turned to Harry who was staring back at her. Dare anyone tell Xenophilius there was a cloak of that exact description in the room?

"Exactly." Said Xenophilius, seeming smug as he interpreted their silence as them being unable to answer.

"Ok…" Said Hermione, a bit disconcerted. "What about this…Resurrection Stone?"

"What about it?" Xenophilius asked.

"How can that be real?" Pressed Hermione.

"How can it not?"

Hermione seemed outraged, and Harry grasped at an opportunity. "What about the Elder Wand? You think that is real too?"

"In that case, there is an amounting number of evidence." Said Xenophilius. "It can easily traced through the pages of history from the way the wand is passed on."

Hermione leaned forward, intrigued and urged Xenophilius to continue. "The wand must be captured for the possessor to become the master of it. The way the wand got to Egbert the Egregious after he slaughtered Emeric the Evil, or how Loxias took the wand from Barnabas after he killed him. The list goes on and on." Hermione was glaring at Xenophilius, but did not say a word.

"Where is it now?" Asked Sai.

Xenophilius looked thoughtful. "Who knows for sure…the trail goes cold with Arcus and Livius."

"Mr. Lovegood, does the Peverell family have anything to do with the Hallows?" Asked Hermione.

Xenophilius sat up straighter. "Oh how you have been misleading me! I thought you were new to this quest!"

"Who are they?" Asked Ron.

"That was the name on the grave in Godric's Hollow." Explained Hermione

"Exactly, the sign on Ignotus' grave is conclusive proof!" Exclaimed Xenophilius.

"Of…?" Said Naruto.

"That the three brothers in the story were actually the three Peverell brothers – Antioch, Cadmus and Ignotus! The original owners of the Hallows!" Then Xenophilius stood up. "Of course…there is one other story…"

Everyone looked at Xenophilius expectantly. Xenophilius continued, eager that they were interested. "In 1945…oh it must have been around the same time Dumbledore dueled the infamous Dark wizard Grindlewald…Elder wand enthusiasts said that the sky turned black and there was an outpouring of magical energy. They say that only the Elder Wand could have done such a thing."

Hermione turned to the boys, her eyebrow raised as if to say, really?

The warmth of Shell Cottage was a stark contrast to the brooding nature of the Malfoy Manner. Lights and garland hung from the rafters in post-Christmas decoration and flickering candles dotted the tables. Despite the late hour, the air was still festive; Fleur sat at the table, hands clutched around a bottle of butterbeer and her head against her husband's shoulder as Bill sat talking and laughing with Arthur, Fred and George. Tonks was resting on the couch, hands on her stomach as Lupin sat close by while Tonks spoke with Molly and Andromeda.

Kakashi looked on at the Order members from his spot in one of the alcoves, a long forgotten butterbeer in his hand.

"You must let me come with you." Kingsley's voice was quiet, yet urgent as he took a seat beside Kakashi. "Let me help you like you have helped us."

Kakashi's visible shifted lazily toward Kingsley and he sighed.

He had wanted to immediately flee to Konoha when he had heard the news about the invasion at the Malfoy Manor but had heeded Kingsley's warning that it would be better to leave from a safer location. Kingsley had taken Kakashi to Shell Cottage where they would at least be protected by the Fidelius Charm.

"The shinobi world where I come from isn't like it is here." Kakashi explained. "You'll sooner be stabbed with a kunai than you will have a chance to wave your wand."

"You underestimate my speed and skill then." Said Kingsley, looking toward the Weasleys who were still sitting around the table with a growing number of empty butterbeer bottles.

Kakashi had to crack a smile.

"Your world is dangerous, I get it." Kingsley said. "But where isn't it dangerous? Here, the Dark Lord and his followers hunt the Muggles and Muggle-born as if it were a game. There's worldwide terror and the one he feared the most is dead."

Kakashi sighed again. He knew what Kingsley was saying was true. At least in Konoha and the rest of the shinobi world, there was temporary peace while Akatsuki regrouped from the loss of Sasori, Hidan and Kakuzu. And while shinobi disputes were brutal, there was something altogether different about the mass fear and hysteria Voldermort was inflicting upon the wizarding and moral worlds alike.

But, Kakashi didn't want to tell Kingsley yes. He didn't want another Minato or Obito or Asuma. He didn't want another Mad-Eye Moody.

Kingsley narrowed his eyes as if he could sense Kakashi's indecision. "I wasn't there when Dumbledore or Mad-Eye went. Maybe I could have saved them, maybe I couldn't have. Don't make me play that game with you, Kakashi. I'll find a way to come anyway."

They heard the slam of the door, signaling that Xenophilius left to check on Luna. "What a coot." Said Naruto standing up. "You think Luna's room is upstairs?" He looked up toward the winding staircase and gestured for the other's to follow him.

Luna's room was just as fantastical as Naruto supposed it would be. It was a mix of eccentric colors and full of strange items that looked as if Luna had made them herself. There was even an old piece of wood propped against the wall that must have served for kunai practice. Naruto touched the markings in the wood, a wistful smile on his face.

Best of all, however, was the paintings on Luna's wall. With painstaking detail, she had painted the faces of Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville with the word 'friends' written around them.

Sai wiped his finger over the bedspread and it came up covered with dust. He held his finger up and looked at Harry.

Harry pulled his eyes away from the paintings and stared at Sai's finger before soundlessly turning around to walk back out the room. Harry was at the foot of the stairs when he was encountered by Xenophilius.

"What were you doing up there?" Xenophilius asked nervously.

"Sorry, Mr. Lovegood," Said Harry, "But where is Luna?"

"Excuse me?" Xenophilius asked.

"Where is Luna?" Harry repeated.

Xenophilius froze. "I told you…down by the river…"

"So why does the bed look like it hasn't been slept in?" Sai asked from behind Harry as he, Naruto, Ron and Hermione filed down the stairs.

They watched as Xenophilius tried to speak, but a strangle sound came out instead. The tray rattled with his shaking hands.

"I don't think Luna's here at all." Pushed Harry. "Where is she?"

Xenophilius dropped the tray with a crash and Harry, Ron and Hermione drew their wands. Xenophilius had his hand on his pocket when the printing press a few feet away gave a bang and spewed out the latest copy of the Quibbler. Hermione strode over to pick it up.

"Quibbler is going for a new edge, huh?" Said Hermione coolly.

Harry peeked over her shoulder to see his face on the cover along with the caption: UNDESIRABLE # 1.

"They took my Luna." Xenophilius whispered. "Because of my writing…they took her and I don't know where she is, or what they've done with her…but maybe if I…"

"Hand over Harry?" Ron asked.

Naruto shook his head and crossed his arms. "No deal, we're leaving."

Xenophilius gasped, then spread his arms and legs, blocking their way. "I can't let you leave. This is my only chance to get my Luna back."

Harry pointed his wand at Xenophilius' face. "Please move aside Mr. Lovegood, I don't want to hurt you."

"HARRY!" Hermione screamed as she watched two broomsticks fly past the window. "We're too late! He's already called the Death Eaters!"

Harry sent a curse Xenophilius' way, causing him to fly backwards into a large stack of books. He sat up, looking dazed as Harry quickly ushered the others back upstairs into Luna's room. Downstairs, they heard the front door slam open.

Cowering in Luna's room, they were completely silent as they heard footsteps echoing across the floor. "Didn't I tell you there was no hurry, Travers? It was just this nut messing with us!"

There was a bang and a scream of pain. "No, no! Potter is upstairs!" Cried Xenophilius.

"Let's hurry up and get the hell out of here before they find us." Naruto hissed from where he was crouched alongside Luna's bed. Harry held his fingers to his lips and motioned for them to wait.

"I told you, Lovegood!" Roared Travers. "We weren't going to come back unless you had solid information! You won't get your daughter back for anything less!"

There was another squeak of pain. "No, no, I beg of you! Potter really is here!" Pleaded Xenophilius.

"They are torturing him!" Hermione squeaked. "They think he's lying! Harry…"

"We should get out of here, Travers." Said another voice. "We've got more important stuff to get ready for."

"Don't worry about it, Selwyn." Said Travers as Xenophilius gave another squeak. "We've got plenty of time to punish this lying piece of filth before we get back."

"I swear!" Shouted Xenophilius, "Potter is upstairs!"

"Homenum Revelio." Said Selwyn.

Harry felt Hermione tense up behind him.

"Travers, he could be telling the truth." Said Selwyn. They heard footsteps as Selwyn moved back toward Travers. "It looks like there are five people who might be hiding out upstairs."

"It's Potter." Sobbed Xenophilius. "I swear its Potter and his friends."

"It better be…if you got someone else up there ready to ambush us, then you'll be lucky if you get her pinky toe back." Spat Selwyn.

There was a bang and Xenophilius whimpered again before they heard the footsteps walking toward the stairs. Harry quickly pulled the Invisibility Cloak out of Hermione's bag and gestured for Ron and Hermione to hide underneath while Sai and Naruto got the behind the door. It was true that Xenophilius had tricked them but he didn't deserve to get tortured by Death Eaters. Harry knew he needed to at least show his face before they escaped.

"If this all ends up being a big waste of time…" They could heard Selwyn muttering as he walked up the stairs.

"What the hell are you so concerned about?" Travers said, their voices coming closer and closer. "Learning a few spells for some leaf village won't take very long."

Luna's bedroom door and the two Death Eaters emerged in the room, taking a look around. Harry popped up from the side of the bed, surprising them. "Gentlemen, heard you were looking for me?"

"Potter!" Travers shouted as he and Selwyn scrambled for their wands.

"Now!" Harry yelled as Hermione pointed her wand at Xenophilius who appeared just behind the two Death Eaters in the doorway. "Obliviate!"

Naruto and Sai sprang from behind the door, surprising the wizards before they were kicked down the stairs, pushing Xenophilius with them. Then they ran toward the wizards, linked hands and vanished.

"Oh, why did we go there?" Groaned Hermione as she collapsed face first into the bed. "You were right Harry, it was Godric's Hallow all over again." She said, her voice muffled in the mattress. "I mean, all that rubbish Xenophilius fed us!" She said, rolling over.

"But that wand!" Cried Ron. "C'mon Hermione, an invincible wand!"

Harry was slightly disappointed by Hermione's reaction to the Deathly Hallows. "And what about the Peverells?" Asked Harry. "Have you ever heard of them?"

"The only place I managed to find them was in Nature's Nobility: A Wizarding Genealogy. Theirs was one of the first to die out in the male line."

"Eh?" Said Naruto.

"Meaning, they could have descendants, but under a different name." Explained Hermione.

Then something stunning occurred to Harry. A memory from last year. "Marvolo Gaunt!" He shouted.

"Sorry?" Said Hermione.

"Marvolo Gaunt! You Know Who's grandfather! He said he was a descendant of the Peverells!"

Everyone looked at him stunned. "His ring! The ring that became a Horcrux! Marvolo said it had the Peverell coat of arms on it!" Harry shouted.

Hermione looked at him sharply. "Did you see what it looked like?"

Harry struggled to remember. "Not really…wasn't very clear…but there was a symbol…" Harry saw everyone's eyes widen.

"Anou-sa!" Said Naruto jumping from the top bunk. "You think it was the symbol again? The Deathly thing…"

"Why not?" Said Harry excitedly. "Marvolo was an ignorant git! He would have loved to think it was a coat of arms!"

"Yes…and this is all very interesting…" Said Hermione holding up her hands cautiously. "But don't you think you're jumping to conclusions?"

Ron's mouth fell open. "Blimey…the ring…you think it was the Resurrection Stone?"

Harry grasped Ron's shoulders and nodded excitedly. "You think it will still work after Dumbledore broke it?" Ron asked.

"Work? Work, Ron? It never worked! There is no such thing as a Resurrection Stone!" Hermione hissed. She shook her head. "Harry…you're trying to fit everything into the Hallows story…"

"Fit?" Asked Harry. "Hermione, it fits of its own accord!" Harry started to pace frantically around the tent, his mind racing. "The Invisibility Cloak is the third Hallow," He said excitedly. "Ignotus Peverell is buried in Godric's Hallow, he's my ancestor!" Harry yelled.

"Harry…" Hermione said warily.

Harry was fingering the pouch around his neck when he realized something. He excitedly poked around inside. "IT'S IN HERE!" He yelled pulling out the snitch. "Dumbledore left it for me in here!"

"You think?" Said Naruto excitedly.

Harry's mind was exploding with possibilities when it was like cold water was suddenly thrown over the flame. "That's what he's after." He whispered. "You Know Who's after the Elder Wand."

It all made sense in Harry's mind. The search for Gregorovitch and then Grindlewald; he had to have been searching for the wand, the unbeatable wand. Voldermort didn't even know the implications; no one would have told him the story of the Three Brothers. Voldermort thought he was just seeking a powerful wand, one powerful enough to overcome the twin cores of their wands... Harry ignored everyone's stares and looked up into the tent's ceiling. The sky was pitch black, he could tell through the material.

"Harry….I think you're getting carried away." Said Hermione finally.

"Hermione, I'm not…" Harry stared to say.

"No, Harry." Hermione said sternly. "Dumbledore left us clear instructions, we focus on the Horcruxes. Forget the Hallows."

Harry turned hopelessly to Ron and the others. "What about you guys? What do you think?"

Ron looked lost. "I…I dunno…some parts fit…but the Horcruxes…" Said Ron helplessly. "Maybe…maybe we should just forget about the Hallows."

"Thank you, Ron." Said Hermione. "I'll take the first watch." And she moved soundlessly outside.

"I believe you."

Harry turned and gave Naruto a weak smile. "Thanks."

Sakura felt some small pang of sadness as she looked down into the lifeless eyes of a small, mousy haired woman. She had thought that by hiding in one of the closets that she could avoid detection, but that had been an unfortunate miscalculation on her part. At least there had been no pain; she had died instantly.

The same wouldn't be said for her husband.

Sakura kicked the closet door shut and disappeared in a shunshin, reappearing outside. Although the air was cold it was a deceptively nice day outside, all blue skies and warm sunshine. The wind ruffled her dark robes as she crunched through the snow fields toward the others.

"The house is clean." Sakura reported. "Just one Muggle woman, but she was disposed of easily."

The man next to her gave a sharp nod of his head. He was oddly attractive; broad shoulders, neatly trimmed beard and smoldering eyes. Sakura felt a small ounce of affection for him, but it was in that murky part of her brain so she didn't fully trust it.

"Rodolphus!" A dark clad figure shouted from down the short hill they were standing on. "Come on, old sport! Join in the fun!"

Rodolphus didn't respond, but he usually didn't. Instead, he and Sakura made their way down the hill. At the base of the hill, there were darkly dressed figures standing all around, laughing and shouting jeers at the several figures who were levitating helpless in the air.

"Please…" One man sobbed once Sakura and Rodolphus came near. His nose was bleeding and his robes had various tears in them. "My wife…"

"Is dead." Said Sakura firmly. It would do no good to lead the man on. The truth would hurt…but it wasn't as if he would be living beyond today anyway.

The man looked at Sakura, his eyes becoming watery. "No…" He began to sob. "No…"

"Oh, shut up!" Rookwood snapped. "Sectumsemptra!"

He lashed his wand out and the distraught husband gave out a yelp through gritted teeth as a fresh gash appeared on one of his outstretched arms. Blood began to seep out, slowly dripping downward onto the snow.

"It has to be done non-verbally, you half-wit." Said Rabastan, who was standing imposingly on the other side of his brother. "Like they do." Unlike Rodolphus, however, Rabastan used his words less sparingly.

With a savage jerk of his wand, the husband's neck spurted open, spraying blood weakly before the body dropped down onto the snow. There were a few weak gasps and a futile effort to close the wound with his hands before the wizard fell silent for good. There were a couple of moans and whimpers from the other victims that were still levitating, but they were drowned out by the shouts of the Death Eaters.

Sakura turned her face away as a few of the other Death Eaters spit in the direction of the body. A little ways off from where the Death Eaters had grouped around their victims, Sasuke Uchiha stood, motionless as he watched the scene with blank eyes. Orochimaru had suggested that the Uchiha accompany Sakura to Appleby where someone had reported a wizard who lived with his Muggle wife instead of moping around the Malfoy Manor bored. Sakura honestly hadn't cared what he did. She had no allegiance to him or Orochimaru and did nothing to hide her disgust when she was around the latter.

As for Sasuke, she didn't know what he was thinking about any of this. Killing for sport wasn't really his thing, although he certainly took pleasure in other sadistic pastimes. There were shouts as another body – either one of the husband's relatives or one of the wizards that tried to defend them – fell to the ground dead.

"It's easy to kill someone when they are strung up like a puppet." Said Sasuke, suddenly beside her. "They should try killing them the real way."

Sakura didn't respond. She didn't much like talking to Sasuke…it always made her feel uncertain. One part of her cared nothing for him and another part felt like it was all too surreal and that she needed to grab him before he flitted through her fingers again.

"Maybe you should say something." Said Sakura coolly.

Sasuke's eyes flickered to hers. "Maybe you should say something. You are their pet after all."

Sakura's gloved fingers clenched at the accusation. A two-headed beast screamed inside of her. She was no one's pet. "And what of you, dear Sasuke-kun?" She turned toward him, her voice mocking and sickeningly sweet. "Is the pot calling the kettle black?"

Sasuke stiffened at her tone as his eyes narrowed at her.

Sakura's eyes had a hard edge in them as she pulled up the sleeve of her robe to reveal the Dark Mark. "I wear the mark of my master just as you wear the mark of yours." She snarled, reaching over and pressing her finger down on the Cursed Seal of Heaven beneath Sasuke's collar.

Sasuke jerked away from her, his Sharingan whirling in his eyes. Sakura stared at him, unafraid as her smile grew in size. Then she spun away from him and sauntered back toward the Death Eaters. Avery was laughing at something that Rookwood had said, his wand aloft to hold the imprisoned wizards up when Sakura walked up behind him and grabbed him by the shoulder and flung him to the ground. The bloodied wizards fell to the ground in a heap while Rookwood and Rabastan immediately pointed their wands in Sakura's direction.

There was silence and tension in the air as Sakura stared the Death Eaters down, her gaze unyielding. Slowly, the wizards behind her began to rise to their feet and began to stumble away as fast as they could. When Rookwood pulled his wand away from Sakura and toward the fleeing wizards, Sakura was at his throat in an instance with a kunai at his neck. Avery and Rabastan had their wands on her, but Rodolphus waved them off with a flick of his giant hand.

"If you want to learn how to fight a ninja." Sakura sneered, pulling her kunai away. "You need to practice on a moving target."

"Come to me, kawaii little Sasuke-kun."

"Shut up!" Yelled Naruto, slashing his kunai out at Orochimaru who burst into a million snakes.

Naruto braced himself as the snake flew past him. When the area was clear, he peeked out from behind his arms. There was nothing around him, only forest. Suddenly, he felt a soft blow to the back of his head. He turned around and looked down to see the Hokage hat. When he reached to pick it up, it disappeared into a cloud of smoke.

"Damn prankster."

Naruto looked to see the Sandaime, his Hokage robes fluttering in the wind, being held by Orochimaru from the collar. Naruto had been too distracted by the Hokage hat to notice them before.

"You let the enemy get to me." And then Orochimaru plunged his sword through the Sandaime's stomach. Naruto yelled in mute horror as Orochimaru let the body fall. He tried to run to him, but his legs were frozen. Then Orochimaru disappeared again only to appear in front of him, holding Sakura.

"Naruto! Tasukete!"

He reached out for her, still unable to move when Orochimaru plunged his teeth into Sakura's neck before letting her fall. Naruto found his feet and moved to catch her when she turned into a snake. He backed away in horror. He heard the crack of branches and saw Orochimaru leaping through the trees. Then Jiraiya came into view. Naruto tried to call out for him, but no words came out.

"Can't help ya kid." Jiraiya said, running past him. Then he transformed into a cloaked figure with a sinister mask over his face. He looked back at Naruto while heading towards Konoha. "Gotta learn some spells for the leaf village."

"Holy shit!" Yelled Naruto jumping out of bed with sudden realization.

"Naruto?" Asked Harry groggily, rolling over so he could see Naruto.

"What's going on?" Asked Sai. Everyone got up, sleep in their eyes to look at Naruto.

"We gotta get to Konoha quick!" Said Naruto turning to Sai.

Sai stared at him blankly. "What? What are you talking about? We can't go back to Konoha now."

"Don't you see?! We have to!" Naruto cried out. "There's gonna be an invasion!"

Glossary:
Tasukete-Help

Bingo Book

Undesirable #10

Koharu Utatane

Status: Ninja (Konohagakure), Council Member

Family: Unknown

Security Status: TRACKED – Movements are closely watched. Plans in place for replacement.