Greetings and Salutations - The Story is not Dead

I'm really sorry for the long wait, but some good news - my home is 90% sorted. Fully financed and most things squared off, only minor touches and then i move in. it's played havoc with my social life and my writing. Now though things are good enough i can resume (famous last words)

i just want to say thanks again for all the patience and support, it really does mean a lot. As usual critiques and comments are welcome, help me improve. I'll cover any queries at the end.

Onwards to Glory!


While Naruto had swept off with Temari and Shizune off the support team carried on and made it to Suna, though a few had choice words for the blonde Jinchuriki.

"Naruto-yarou!" Kiba swore out as they raced out of Suna and further into the desert. "I'm gonna wring his neck when I catch up to him."

Giggling softly to his side was Hinata; the gentle sound reached his ears and he flushed in embarrassment, more so when Akamaru joined in with his barks.

Kiba huffed and turned away; Hinata continued to smile at his attitude. Kiba had been very earnest that nothing would happen to Shizune, more like he had sworn to Tsunade-Sama that he would allow nothing to harm her attendant.

And Naruto swept her off without as much as a word. Kiba's wounded pride demanded retribution.

On the other side a figure swept passed, a faint buzzing echoing around him.

"Akamaru, do you still have the scent?" the calm expressionless tone of Shino carried over to the canine. With a sharp bark Akamaru carried forward to lead the way.

"Oi Shino! What's that supposed to mean?" Kiba barked out at his teammate. To all else there seemed little reason for the remark. Team Eight however had been together for just over three years, they had spent time together and grown close enough to read each other. There was a mocking inflection when Shino said 'you', one that Kiba had little trouble sniffing out.

Which in itself was another mockery; Shino was near impossible to sniff out, most times they caught on only because he wanted them to.

"Hearing you plot the various ways you would bludgeon, choke, shred and wail on Uzumaki was indeed riveting. I thought it best to let you carry on and have Akamaru get to the business of making your fantasy…planning a reality."

"Now you're just being patronising" The mulish air around the Inuzuka sent Hinata into a giggling fit again.

Shino gave the faintest of smiles and pushed on, his team following close behind.

"How much farther?"

"Not far now" Kiba replied, the mirth shifting to a more serious outlook. "The area is clear for miles around; I'm not picking up any strange scents." Akamaru barked in agreement.

"At this pace we should link up in thirty minutes. We still have a lot of ground to cover" Kiba finished. Shino nodded at the assessment. With burst of chakra the three picked up the pace again.

Hang in there, Naruto.


Sakura gaze narrowed as she evaded yet another set of exploding clay figurines. The earth around her rumbled to life, shifting and changing shapes to deflect the blasts away from her; more clumps of earth rose before breaking down and firing shards rapidly at the airborne Deidara.

If there was any consolation, he was just as frustrated as she was.

Another earth pillar rose to sky, Sakura perch firmly on the top. The side rippled and more earth shards fired at Deidara. With a contemptuous scoff he swooped by, dropping several clay explosives. The explosives went off, fracturing the pillar. Sakura reacted quickly; she slid down the side of the pillar, punching large chunks at her opponent. Another smaller pillar rose from the ground, Sakura then jumped from the crumbling one, using her chakra to keep her grip.

She cast a dark look at the smirking Akatsuki-Nin, wishing to immolate him with her gaze.

Kaka-Sensei, whatever you're doing, better make it fast!

She snarled as more clay explosives hurled at her position. Her chakra rippled and she phased through the earth pillar, coming out the other side. Then she pushed off, just as the bombs made contact; the pillar shattered, sending rock and shrapnel everywhere. Sakura paid no attention to the bruises and cuts; the dust was also equally a minor inconvenience. Her gaze was focused squarely on Deidara; his every move, his every action, every shift, all of it she paid close attention to.

So, it was with relief when she noticed a subtle disturbance growing around Deidara. By the time the mad bomber had noticed it had already grown. To Sakura, the look of distress was sweet victory.

About time Sensei!


The fully matured Sharingan was an awesome tool, capable of many feats, but only as the wielder had the skill and fortitude to master its secrets. The Mangekyou Sharingan was a league and required greater levels of skill and fortitude.

Both of which Hatake Kakashi had in spades; what he lacked however was a vast chakra pool, and an Uchiha body to minimise the strain.

So activating his Mangekyou took time, and using his actual ability 'Kamui' took even more time and a chunk out of his chakra.

Of course it didn't help that he had a constantly active Sharingan, draining his chakra even with the eye closed, actively processing information with the Sharingan made the drain even worse.

Still, a massive chakra pool was not the be all and end all. Chakra was made up of physical energy 'Yang' and spiritual energies 'Yin'.

Yang was developed with rigorous martial conditioning; one of the benefits of having Might Guy as a friend meant you became naturally conditioned.

Yin focused on mental development, experiences and knowledge. Kakashi had joined the ranks of Jonin at a very young age. His service record was near impeccable and he was one of if not the longest serving active Jonin in the village. Add to that a Sharingan which processed untold amounts of jutsus, chakra flows and patterns.

What he may have lacked in raw quantity, he made up for in pure potency.

Kakashi could feel his Mangekyou thrumming with his chakra; he could feel his body and the eye clashing and straining against each other as the jutsu slowly took shape. It was always a scary moment; there was a risk of rejection and backfire, causing the technique to simply fail or ruin his body so completely death would be his only escape.

A hint of relief swept through him as conflict died low, never disappearing but muted, and the jutsu fully manifested. To Kakashi the jutsu was akin to a black hole, creating a distortion in space capable of sucking anything that is in line of sight or he has specifically targeted, regardless of whatever protections or barrier jutsus that have been placed. The borders of the jutsu could also be extended; increasing the radius and thus what could be pulled in. escape was extremely difficult at best and impossible at worst.

Kakashi lifted his head. His right eye was closed, not necessary for the time being. His left eye, the Mangekyou spun lazy circles and locked on tight to its target. Kakashi exhaled and observed as the space around Deidara bent against his will.

Kamui (Authority of the Gods)


"How predictable" Deidara scoffed derisively as another pillar seemed to sprout from the ground. With it was another round of evade the earth shards and then counter. It had been interesting the first few times but now it was getting old. Still she was skilled enough to go head to head against him and he hadn't been able to land a decisive blow, another surprise to him.

Perhaps it had to do with the earnest effort in her eyes, the spark of determination and the explosive fury in her attacks. If nothing else he was very entertained, enough that he had been willing to keep up the game.

Now though he was getting bored.

The explosives he launched at the pillar were stronger than his previous batch. It was amusing watching her phase through the pillar and fling herself away, but it didn't change much. Still her effort was commendable and she only had minor scraps

His hand stretched outwards, clay moulding into shape.

The air pulsed; the hairs on his spine tingled.

A distortion appeared over his chest to his alarm. He made to speak but words failed as the pain began to hit. As he strained against the distortion his eyes frantically cast around, until it finally landed on a now exposed Kakashi.

Deidara bit his lip and cursed himself for his incompetence. He had be suckered in; he spent so much time and focus on his game with the pink haired girl he completely forgot all about Hatake Kakashi.

He gasped again in pain; the price for his failure.

He could see on Kakashi the strain at maintain hold of the jutsu. Still it was best he moved, already his ribs was under a lot of pressure. Urging his clay bird he slowly pulled free from the vortex. Inch by inch he felt it release some of its hold, but it wasn't nearly enough. With gritted teeth he brought up his left hand and hurled a clay lump at Kakashi. Mid-flight the clay shaped into a small bird and sped towards the stationary Jonin.

Kakashi made to abort when a globule of water shot from the side at the clay bird. The bird slowed as it sunk into the water; seconds later an earth dragon grew out and swallowed the water globule along with the clay bird, before sinking deep into the earth. To his right he took note of Sakura; her arm was outstretched and chakra pulsed lively around her fingers.

Still, the damage had been done. Kakashi watched as Deidara exploited the sudden frailty in his technique and quickly broke free, minus one arm. A sudden flare of chakra echoed beside Kakashi and a pink blur hurled passed him into the air.

Ninjutsu…no, Genjutsu most likely.

Deidara scoffed as the blur sped for him; we contemptuous ease he tore apart the illusion in front and quickly spun round, facing the surprised Sakura. From the look on her face she hadn't expected him to so quickly and easily pierce the veil of her illusion and was now completely wide open.

"Pathetic" Sakura flinched at the acid in his tones, and again as a blow struck her in the chest. She coughed out and tried to grab hold of the arm, but Deidara's clay drifted just out of reach. She then noticed the heavy feeling on her chest.

Stuck to her was a handful of exploding clay. Deidara smirked as his chakra pulsed.

Katsu!

"Sakura!" Kakashi roared out, even as her scream was cut off by the explosion. Kakashi tried vainly to track her fall, and then he turned his fury towards Deidara who merely sneered back at the irate Jonin.

Kage Bunshin…Dispel!

Deidara's spine tingled with an oppressive feeling. His bird dipped slightly as a sudden weight materialised behind him. In one swift motion his legs were taken out from under him. In another his face rang out with a powerful blow, almost blacking out.

Sakura panted as she landed the blow. Following the motion she slid down the side of the clay bird.

Chakra Scalpel

Her left hand glowed with chakra as she tore great rents through the bird. Once she got to the bottom she pushed off towards the tail; with a quick spin she sliced through and free Gaara, securing his body with her legs. Immediately both began freefalling down towards the ground.

Deidara swore in rage and managed to manoeuvre his badly damaged bird; his hand came up and he began moulding his explosive clay.

Lightning Release: Shuriken Storm.

Deidara paused as multiple objects, flashing intermittently, sped for him. With a quick replacement he abandoned the damaged bird, watching dispassionately as it was destroyed by lightning infused shurikens.

On the ground another Kage Bunshin of Sakura positioned itself underneath the falling original and ran through seals. The earth rumbled again as slabs shot upwards on either side, one after the other. Sakura released her leg hold and secured Gaara's body firmly in her arms. She the rotated in the air; as the first slab reached her she lightly made contact, and with a burst of chakra she pushed off. She ricocheted off the slabs until she came to the ground right beside her sensei.

"You….you wretched pests" Deidara hissed out as he crouched on the side of a tree. The loss of his right arm was excruciating, but the damage to his pride was even more so. His chakra grew more menacing; Kakashi narrowed his gaze as his Sharingan picked up the shift and reacted accordingly. Lightning arced slowed around him, the greatest activity from his hands. Beside him Sakura tensed openly and shifted her stance. The earth around Gaara's body rumbled and he sunk several inches; the earth hardened around him, locking him in place.

Both sides stood tense, waiting for the spark.

The explosion was sudden, unexpected. Both sides jerked and looked to the horizon, realisation hit when they took in the direction. Overheard the skies darkened ominously. Lightning flashed, multiple times.

Naruto…!

Kakashi looked on in amazement; the chakra in the storm was immense. Deidara to seemed to realise, despite the scowl his eyes were alight with excitement and approval.

"What magnificent expression of art. You are lucky to be party to it Sasori-Dana" The envy was clear in his voice as the lightning crashed into the earth.

The skies cleared. An emotion flashed briefly through Deidara's eyes. Then he turn back towards Gaara and the rest of team seven. The extraction was not complete, but he was going up against Kakashi and the girl was too bad either.

"Well, there will be another day." Deidara brought his remaining had up and form a seal, "until then" with that and a surge of chakra he was gone.

Kakashi made a cursory glance around and gave a soft sigh of relief. There was a strong urge to slump but he resisted. Sakura threw a telling glance his was but politely said nothing. The earth gave way as she pulled up Gaara's still form.

"His pulse is slow. His breathing seems fine, but his chakra levels are dangerously diminished. We need to regroup"

Kakashi nodded at the diagnosis. Sakura picked up the Kage and then the sped off through the trees.

Naruto, I hope you are okay…


"Sasori…." The call was soft, so vulnerable, it was almost alien.

Chiyo aged eyes greedily drank in the sight of her grandson. Emotions welled up and warred within her.

"Chiyo-Baasama" her breath hitched; something had shifted in Sasori. There was a hint of life, replacing his usual bland tones. Even the light in his eyes seemed to have a different shine.

Slowly the former Suna Nin ambled towards them, Elder Chiyo cradled Naruto's unconscious form; her hand seemed to have a mind of its own, gently brushing his golden and red tinged locks.

"It is strange to see one of the Honoured Siblings, the Legendary Chiyo of the Shifting Sands no less, look so nervous" Sasori commented as he came within striking range.

"One can never be too careful, and caution is the greatest tool a ninja could ever have. I taught you as much" Chiyo muttered softly, willing her hand to still. Her lips grew purse at the sudden chuckle from Sasori. She huffed when he showed no sign of stopping.

"Indeed, one of many" He finally stopped and with some effort crouched, barely a foot away from them.

"Well you can relax Baasama. I have no further agenda at the moment, and I very much doubt I could continue if I wanted to" with a subtle shift his tattered robes came free at one shoulder. Elder Chiyo gasped at the extent of the damage;

The bones of the Kaguya were known for their resilience. When Sasori had worked on his conversion he had been careful to preserve as much of the traits, going as far as to raid Mizugakure to acquire data on the Kaguya's and any bodies that were not destroyed. Raiding several of Orochimaru's bases was particularly helpful considering the extensive studies done by the Sannin.

The body structure however was so battered Chiyo couldn't understand how he was still alive, let alone moving. Fractures littered the entirety of the chest, with sections completely burned out or sheared off. On the life side of his chest, the compartment that held the 'core' of his being fared better, however Chiyo noticed a small trail of blood, running through the cracks. A further glance showed several micro fractures across the core and even as she strained the sound seemed off.

"Sasori-"Seeing the widening of her gaze he nodded.

"Ah, Right now my chakra is holding my form together, the puppets primary core is damaged but the bone marrows are fine. I may be able to fix this body but without the core to speed things it will take time and limit my combat options."

"And that is if my own core holds out, who's to know for sure."

Sasori looked up into the sky and leaned back on his hands. Strangely he only felt satisfaction; after everything he had done to prepare Naruto for this fight, he had gotten more from it than he ever predicted. No, he got more than he ever dared to dream.

True art is more than eternal. The Journey is just as true as the destination. The paths we take affect our perception and shape our reality. The past, the present and the future, all shaped Art.

True Art was Eternal, ever growing, ever shaping, daring to achieve, and daring to be.

Transient, yet Constant. Sudden, yet Gradual. But always Dynamic….

The clouds parted, revealing more of the midday sun. Sasori closed his eyes and imagined the feel of the rays on his face, the soft wind, if there was any, brushing over his exposed frame.

"You know I cannot just let you leave" He turned towards his grandmother. Despite the hitch in her words there was also resolve, born from decades of hardship and determination.

"You could try to fight me, and I may die in the attempt. Or you could be throwing your life away." A light breeze blew in-between them.

Chiyo kept neutral as her mind whirled in activity. Despite the damage he had taken, she could tell her grandson would not go quietly. Sasori had long surpassed her craft and skills, and as shocking and abhorrent his human puppets were, they were also radical and exciting.

And in her heart…at the end of the day, she didn't want to fight him, she couldn't fight him.

Sasori seemed to sense the shift in her; his eyes closed and he sighed softly.

"You always were sentimental, Baasama. But only at the oddest to times and for the wrong reasons."

Tears flowed down her cheeks. "I know Sasori…and forgive me." the later was a soft plea.

Sasori chuckled again, this time the sound seemed to warm an old heart. Her hand reached for his face, and he didn't pull away. Her heart beat was loud to her as her fingers grew closer, yearning to run across the false face.

Inch by inch they move.

A loud pulse stopped them cold.


A.N. Hey again and another chapter down - this one was short to get me back in the mental space and cover beyond Naruto's fight.

From the regulars; Scarease, xDarklightx, RamenKinght, Guest (i think its the same one, chapter 8?), s.k.f.f.f, Jojo - thanks for the reviews and support, always keeps me pumped.

New faces i think - ScaletRoofs, SarahAshlyn, sarutobi gk, New Guest, JP 13 - welcome to the family, hope to keep up the good content.

Seta88 - as always taking me to task, much respect for you - i see Suna's action as throw away knowledge; yes Konoha doesn't need it and it is mostly pointless, and regardless that they are allies, defeat still smells rotten and sometimes you can only afford to be petty...in any form. Also when you look at Suna puppetry and compare to Naruto's you see how far removed they are from each other, making the document next to worthless, but in the eyes of politics tradeable.

As per my descriptions, i can only promise to work better on those. let me know if you spot anything else and thanks again.

I think i got everyone, stay tuned for more content.