Assassins Attack
Black Ops was just about to infiltrate the village when they arrived. There'd been little or no activity in the village in two days. It was like it had been emptied – with only shadows moving inside some of the buildings. Ibiki had already sent some men ahead to the capital to give their comrades the heads-up. He enlisted Kiba and Akamaru to find entrances or exists to the underground tunnels that had to be somewhere outside of the village while Neji and Hinata searched for traps approaching the village. Everyone fanned out behind them ready back them up and disarm traps or bombs.
It was dusk as they inched forward with no real problems. A couple of villagers finally appeared and stood watching but did nothing about the ninja slowly approaching them.
"It's over! Give up peacefully and you'll just be put in prison. Otherwise…" Ibiki said now leading the way.
A man laughed with humor. "Otherwise you die?" He asked. "You are too late. Our people left days ago!" More laughter. "But don't think your visit is in vain – we'll gladly provide you with an outstanding show." He bowed to Ibiki. "We live to entertain." He snapped his fingers and several trees around the village exploded sending sharp pieces of wood into the unsuspecting Leaf Shinobi. And it was on…
"What a drag." Shikamaru said as he watched Ino stare wantonly at some shoes in a store window. Somehow their squad was chosen to go to the capital early and discreetly search it for the enemy. A group of ten Chunin had openly entered the city to be protection for the leaders. Other undercover Black Ops were already in the city and he'd identified many of them already but of the enemy – none. He was playing Ino's boyfriend as she shopped. He'd much rather be with Choij who was with Asuma checking out all the different restaurants under the pretense of possibly opening a restaurant of their own. This girl stuff was…well it was a drag!
"Ino, we're supposed to be working here or have you forgotten?" He came up behind her and grabbed her shoulders and appeared to be whispering in her ear. It was something a boyfriend might do.
"I know but there's no reason I can't window shop. I can come back when this is over and buy those shoes. Won't they look cute on me?" She blinked at him prettily. "Besides someone's been watching us for a block now. Look into the window, on our right, just inside the curry shop."
Shikamaru had to smile, even when she was being a girl, Ino was still a ninja. He followed her directions and did see someone watching them. It was a scruffy-looking man. He didn't look too trustworthy but nothing about him shouted rogue ninja. "He could just be attracted to you or he's thinking of robbing us." Shikamaru said and grabbed her hand. "Let's see what he wants."
As he pulled the laughing girl along, Shikamaru nodded to an ally. They would set a little trap for the man and find out who he was and what he knew.
Animals left the area in a hurry. Humans could destroy things so easily. Trees were down, buildings were on fire and the earth had huge holes in it. The scent of blood mixed with gunpowder and smoke.
Many had escaped the deadly wooden missiles by using the substitution jutsu. Others were simply just that fast and got out of the way. Then again some were able to defend against them. From seemingly nowhere, enemy ninja appeared doing their best to take advantage of first blood.
"Multi-clone Jutsu!"
"Fire-style Fireball Jutsu!"
"Leaf Hurricane!"
"Fang Over Fang!"
The sounds of weapons flying through the air and fists hitting flesh echoed in the village. At times it seemed as if the ground had disappeared and they were sinking into a swamp but Kurenai and Sakura countered with their own genjutsu making the village appear to be suddenly aflame.
"Waaaaah!" Guy sent a man flying while Kakashi sank his kunai into another's chest. "They're doing well." He commented with his back against Kakashi's.
"Yeah." He said as two ninja were treated to the Uzumaki Barrage. "Now let's get this done!" He lifted his headband ready to use his Sharingan.
Kiba and Black Ops found the underground tunnels and using several bombs collapsed them. The earth shook and trembled and there were cries of pain as even more rogue ninja fled to the surface. They were bleeding and broken but still ready to fight.
They were making headway when suddenly from out of the forest – more ninja appeared forcing those of the Leaf to close ranks and begin fighting as a unit. Unbelievably the battle went on for half of the day! It was as dusk was falling that they were at last able to breathe normally.
Some had gotten away and Black Ops were in pursuit trying to stop them before they could reach the capital and warn their comrades. The dead were lined up on one side, captives on the other. Each would be dealt with for secrets could be prodded not only from the living but the dead as well.
Having checked the village from top to bottom, Shinobi of the Leaf started gathering together to rest and check their injuries. Some were wounded but no casualties. Three Narutos came out of the forest, each of them carrying an unconscious man. "Where do you want'em?" A man in a mask pointed and Naruto walked that way and dropped the men down heavily glad to be free of the burden. "Poof, Poof!" Two of him disappeared. He turned looking for his friends and not seeing them called out. "Hey!"
"Over here Idiot!" Sasuke was resting back on his elbows smiling at him. Naruto had walked right by then so intent on relieving himself of the prisoners, he'd missed them. "Finally caught them did you?"
Naruto put his hands on his hips and checked Sasuke out. There were cuts and a few bruises, mostly he looked exhausted. He nodded and looked at Sakura who was a few feet away. One arm was bandaged and she lay in a light sleep. "Yeah, they were tricky but I got'em didn't I?" He finally answered. They were well, he'd known they were alive but seeing only minor injuries he breathed better. "Hinata!"
"Here Naruto!" Her soft voice called out to him. She had waited knowing he needed to check with his squad first. She'd just finished applying some ointment on Akamaru when she saw him. If he hadn't returned when he had, she would have gone looking for him as soon as Akamaru had been taken care of. She gave the pup one last rub, stood up then started towards him.
Night was quickly falling but Naruto's blues saw his woman clearly. Hinata was tired and she too had injuries but had already taken care of them. They'd been side by side at times during battle and she'd surprised them both with her tenacity. He was so damn proud of her he could bust.
They stood facing each other dying to touch but did not. This was not the place or time. "Here, sit." Hinata told him then brought out more ointment. His hands were in the worst shape so she took them between her own and smoothed them over. "You're okay?" She asked quietly.
"I'm fine Hinata, you?" He flexed his hand in hers almost but not quite linking their fingers. As he watched the cuts disappeared. The fox seemed to wait for Hinata and her creams before he healed. It reassured him somehow. Maybe that power was more his now than the fox's.
"I'm okay – tired like everybody else." She took the other hand then she gently touched various other cuts on his face and neck. "I'm glad this battle at least is over."
"Yeah, I know but now we've got to go to the capital." The two spoke quietly and did nothing to draw attention to themselves yet they were watched.
Nobody did it maliciously but knowing they were a couple, others couldn't seem to help it. They were intimate in the way their bodies leaned towards each other and how their eyes met and looked at each other. They sat apart and didn't touch yet even the way they spoke was different. It was not the way of the shinobi – yet it calmed everyone around them. They were more at ease with them there almost in the center of the village together. Hope, promise and victory was within their grasp as they watched Naruto and Hinata.
"Hey! Gather around!" Ibiki commanded shattering the mood. "We've sent people after the ones that got away but more than likely they won't reach them in time. I'm going to interrogate a few of these people tonight and try to learn more of their plan. Jonin set up patrols with your Genin. Injured rest. More ninja from Konoha will be here by morning to take care of the prisoners. By mid-day we'll be on our way to the capital. The plans haven't changed so go over what you're squads were told. Okay, go to work!" Ibiki turned but stopped and looked over his shoulder. "Good work everyone." He smiled briefly then went to do what he was best at – torture.
Sasuke watched him. They were running, hurrying to the capital hoping to get there in time. All Ibiki had found out was that by the end of the week, the Land of Fire's leaders would be dead. So maybe, if they got there in the next day or so, they could stop the assassins. But right now it was Naruto on Sasuke's mind. It was true, whatever had been bothering Naruto, he'd left it at home but he still wasn't the same guy.
During last night's watch, he'd been attentive to the forest and its movements. Several times he'd seen or heard things that even he'd missed – birds and the like. Before settling down for sleep, the four of them had gone over their part in the plan to defend the leaders. Then they'd also talked quietly about the previous battle and although Naruto's eyes had gotten bright with excitement, Naruto didn't crow about what he'd done but instead praised Sakura and others on what they'd done. He was being selfless and Sasuke wanted to know why. In the past even when he'd praised others, Naruto always made himself stand out too. He was hiding something, something big. Naruto was doing his damnedest not to draw too much attention to himself. Why?
"Sasuke!" Kakashi appeared beside him suddenly. "Pay attention! I could have been an enemy!" He'd seen the teen staring at Naruto who was concentrating only on the next branch ahead of him.
"Yeah, sorry. …Kakashi-sensei, is Naruto okay? He's different than normal." Sasuke moved closer to his sensei and out of Naruto's hearing.
Kakashi narrowed his eye at Naruto. He was acting differently but now was not the time to be focusing on that. They were on a mission and besides Sasuke would learn the truth soon enough. "Of course he's different or haven't you noticed how his life has changed these last few months? A girlfriend, a mom and dad, Sakura and you! He's trying his best to become a Chunin. I thought that's what you wanted too?"
Sasuke's frown was immediate. "Of course I do! I'm just worried about him!" The words burst from his lips.
Kakashi laughed. Sasuke was really tearing down the walls around himself for him to say those words out loud! "That's nice to hear but Naruto looks fine to me. He wants this badly and not just for himself. Naruto doesn't want to hold you and Sakura back so he's trying hard to become Chunin. He wants Lady Tsunade and Iruka to be proud of him and he wants to impress Hinata and Lord Hiashi. Isn't that enough for him to act differently?"
Still scowling Sasuke watched Naruto leap from a tree branch and soar through the air. He looked confident but… "Yes but Kakashi-sensei, he told me something was going on with him but he wouldn't say what. Naruto said he'd tell me after this was over but it's nagging at me." He groused snapping a stick from a limb as he jumped and breaking it in little pieces with his hands.
So that's it! He must have confronted Naruto because Naruto wouldn't have spoken of his dilemma. Sasuke must have caught Naruto a bad time to get him to admit this much. "Didn't we go through this with Sakura? When he's ready to tell you and he said he would - later when this mission was over. Let it go Sasuke and trust Naruto."
"I do trust him; I just want to…help him." Sasuke saw Hinata and her squad several yards to their left. Naruto was happy now and he wanted it to stay that way.
"Good, I'm relieved to hear that but if this worry is going to keep you from doing your part, I'll send you back to Konoha. You want to help Naruto then protect his back and keep him safe so he'll tell you this secret. Understand me Sasuke? We don't need you if you can't concentrate on the mission." Kakashi's eye stared into Sasuke's jet black ones.
He stiffened. "Understood Kakashi-sensei." He's right. We have to get through this before I can help him. Sasuke nodded and moved forward until he was at Naruto's side. The teen greeted him with a smile then once again concentrated the next tree.
Kakashi watched them solemnly for a while. Sasuke I truly hope that you're there for him when he needs his best friend. Don't project your pain and hatred for Itachi on Naruto when he tells you about the fox. They're two different people and truthfully, you've known Naruto longer, be the big brother he'll need. Kakashi knew the Sharingan to be a powerful weapon and could even change how people saw things. If he thought it would help the two teens, he'd use it without hesitation. Looking forward he let the problem of the Nine-Tails slip to the back of his mind and thought only of his part in the plan to save the leaders.
They trapped the man in an alley. A dart in his neck knocked him out and quickly they transported the man back to where they were staying. They searched him first and were about to decide he was just another pickpocket since he had several purses on him when they found a curiously marked scroll. Even though they wanted to open it, it could be anything – a summoning scroll or possibly a bomb. Asuma and several others were discussing what to do when one of the Anbu arrived on Ibiki's orders.
He confirmed that the symbol on the scroll was from the Shin-Takeo's village. It was the name they were calling themselves. The Anbu ninja told informed them of what happened during the raid. In quick order, it was decided that Ino should take over the man's body and see what happened from there. When the captured man neared consciousness, she transferred her mind to his and walked the streets of the capital hoping one of his gang would see him and take them to where the others were hiding.
Choij and Shikamaru were responsible for taking care of her body. While she moved the man's body, above the streets and along the roof tops, they would carry hers. Asuma would take point and make sure no one spotted them.
Night fell and Ino inside a stranger's body roamed the capital. She started in the poorer areas thinking the rogue ninja might hide out there but no one approached her/him. Several times she had to go back to her own body to rest and to keep the man from running; Shikamaru would control him with Shadow Possession. The night passed this way with no clues or contact. Maybe the damned thief had stolen the scroll too!
It was as morning was crawling over the many tall buildings of the capital when something promising happened. Ino was huddled in a doorway trying to fight the cool air in the man's threadbare clothes when her/his arm was jerked.
"Where the hell have you been?! Why didn't you return at nightfall like planned? Don't tell me you've been picking pockets all this time! You'd better have made a fucking fortune! Come on!" The taller man pulled Ino along behind him. "We need that scroll. Konoha ninja attacked the base. We have to move now before they arrive!" Ino looked up at the roof across the street, met Shikamaru's eye and winked. As she was led into a building and forced down some stairs, Konoha ninja prepared to attack.
Outside the capital, the shinobi split up. Guy and Kurenai's team went in with a sizeable group of Chunin. The force stood out noticeably as they walked in formation to the residence where the leaders were foolishly gathered.
Dressed casually Sakura and Sasuke entered the city from another gate like young couple and from another direction Naruto helped his blind Uncle Kakashi into the city. Ibiki begged his way from street to street scaring the little children while the others slipped in silently unnoticed by roof, sewer and river. Of course a few walked right through the main gate but none looked like ninja. The capital now contained several ninja – enemy and ally.
Ibiki smiled with satisfaction at Asuma's squad, especially the girl. With her help, they had stopped one ninja cell. There were five cells, each one to attack a different leader. The cell they had captured had been thirty strong. The Shin-Takeo were going to kill any and all to reach their target. In fact the more people killed and maimed the better. Chaos and fear would allow them to move about unmolested. Their mysterious leaders would step in over dead bodies and through blood to bring about calm under their rule.
Well, not if Konoha could help it and they could. First they separated the leaders and hid them away and replaced them with Jonin but that was the only common sense change. The leaders had busy schedules and despite the threat on their lives, were determined to keep all their appointments and were seen throughout the city escorted by their Leaf ninja guards.
The Shin-Takeo were angered to learn one of their cells had been eliminated so easily. In retaliation, they stepped up their plans and decided to attack all the leaders at once on the same day. The previous plan was to kill the leaders off one at time disrupting the peace of the capital but now they would take action first thing in the morning just as the city was waking up.
Unfortunately for them, Leaf Shinobi had already considered all possibilities and was ready for them.
Naruto put more ramen in his mouth and grimaced. Ichiraku's it was not. He and Kakashi were sitting at a ramen shop. Down the street, coming their way was a caravan and in that caravan was a Land of Fire leader. Across the street, a bored Sasuke escorted a smiling Sakura into one of the many dress shops.
Lee spotted Naruto right away then Sakura. He looked over at Neji and saw his teammate's eyes moving rapidly. Ever so often he would announce a number specifying how many enemies he'd spotted.
Somehow they all knew the attack would happen here on this public street and in the middle of the early morning crowds.
A kunai whistled threw the air and landed before Guy. He kicked and it sailed into the air before the paper bomb attached to it could explode in his face. Shoppers became enemy ninja while others were of the Leaf. Surprise ruled the rogues but that didn't stop them from trying to kill the Fire leader. Tenten was batted out of the way and the crouching figure she was protecting screamed for mercy.
"Die!" The assassin screamed bringing down his kunai.
"You first!" Genma shouted throwing off his disguise and sent several senbon through the man's face and neck.
Throughout the city, four other attacks began only to end up as a free for all battles. People ran screaming through the streets. Some were run over by their neighbors, some were killed in the crossfire and others were used as hostages in an attempt to escape.
"We've got them on the run! Chase them out of the city!" Kakashi yelled at his team trying to cut down on the casualties. Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto began running and were soon together, arms behind them as they followed behind the defeated assassins.
Kakashi followed his team cleaning up after them and met up with Ibiki. "I almost had their leader! Or one of them! They're crafty sons-of-bitches! Go on, they're probably heading back to their village! I'll finish up here and meet up with you!" Ibiki waved those around him on. He and his Anbu would free the capital of Shin-Takeo assassins.
The chase went on for twenty-four hours straight. No one on the road was safe and innocents were attacked for food and used as protection from the Leaf. Other Shin-Takeo had been extremely clever because they'd laid traps before reaching the capital and were releasing them on the unsuspecting Leaf shinobi. Trip wires, hidden bombs and pits slowed and injured them.
Back in the captured village, those left behind had noticed disturbances in the forest and went out to check things out. Kakashi couldn't have asked for better timing. The enemy was trapped between them now. Without conscious thought, forces on both sides separated. Jonin fought Jonin while Chunin and Genin mixed it up. Only the Leaf had Genin with them so this would be the true test of their skills.
In a clearing, they were surrounded. Even though they'd taken out many of the enemy and their number reduced – the Shin-Takeo still out numbered the Konoha ninjas. At first they held their own fighting mostly hand to hand and with kunai but then several of the enemy broke away and used hand signs. When they added blood to the signs, Naruto knew they were about to summon something.
"Watch out! Something's coming!" Naruto called out backing away and looking around warily.
All of his friends and comrades paused then blinked in shock. The ground around them came alive with snakes. Not like the huge snakes that had attacked their village but normal snakes only there were thousands of them – all of them poisonous!
"Oh come on! I hate snakes!" Shikamaru yelled jumping up into a tree and using shuriken to kill those slithering up the tree.
"I got'cha!" Choji appeared next to him and killed several with a slap of his expanded hand.
Neji blasted several to bits with his Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms and Sasuke used his fire jutsu. Lee was quick enough to move out of the way. Hinata used her own Protection Sixty-Four Palms to kill the snakes while everybody else resorted to climbing trees.
Their enemies laughed for they'd stopped Konoha in their tracks. Four of them could defend against the snakes but the rest could only out run them. Even Tenten didn't have enough weapons to kill that many snakes. Naruto jumped from tree to tree always keeping an eye on Hinata and Sasuke down on the ground encircled by snakes. If only he could help but even his clones couldn't stand up among so many snakes. His Rasengan would only get rid of a few. If only…
Hearing a hiss, Naruto saw a snake nearing his foot. He turned and ran straight up the tree until he reached the highest point. Hopefully being up this high would buy him the time he needed. His hands performed the signs; he added blood and summoned – Gamakichi.
Everyone looked up as a huge shadow appeared above them and reflexively ducked. A toad as tall as a man and the size of a small house, landed in the tree Naruto was in. He'd jumped up out of Gamakichi's way then landed next to him on the nearly bent in half tree. Snakes dropped to the ground from the force of the toad's landing. The little toad had obviously grown.
"What the hell?" Kiba looked up in surprise.
"He can use the summoning jutsu?" Shino smiled in wonder but called back his bugs in case the toad got hungry!
"Kid! What the hell are you thinking? Toads do not belong in trees!" Gamakichi shifted around trying not to fall.
"Sorry, I didn't have a choice – snakes." Naruto pointed at the ground. "Can you help?" He sincerely hoped so. Jiraiya had told him how Gamabunta had fought Orochimaru's snake Manda so maybe Gamakichi could help them.
Gamakichi looked around, "Blondie you get in the most messes but I was bored so yeah, I'll help you out. Can you use the fire jutsu? Man I gotta get out of this tree!" He said as his foot got tangled in some branches. "Hop on!" With a great leap, they were free of the tree. It rebounded with enough force to slap the ground twice then break completely killing snakes and moving the Shin-Takeo out of the way.
Naruto smiled, "No but I know someone who can." He looked for and saw Sasuke standing on a rock. "Hey Sasuke, wanna get rid of these snakes?" He held out a hand for his friend and Sasuke grabbed on when they came his way then with a loud thump and the crushing of more snakes, they landed near the broken tree.
"Listen friend of the kid's, I'm going to spit some oil and you just have to light it up. Got that? We're going to fry us up some snakes!" Gamakichi saw a boy and a girl still on the ground a circle of snakes about them. "Better tell them to get to higher ground Naruto!"
"Hinata! Neji! Get off the ground! We're going to take care of the snakes! Go!" He yelled and pointed making sure they heard him.
"Right! Hinata!" Neji took her hand and they leaped for the nearest tree.
"Here I go!" Gamakichi stated lifting his belly, puckering his lips then spit out a stream of dark oil.
Sasuke took a deep breath then followed the oil with fire. The oil sprayed for several yards and Gamachi turned his body so that it covered more distance. Sasuke's fire ignited the oil and the snakes, any enemies foolish enough to be near - caught fire.
Gamakichi jumped moving to another area still covered in snakes and with Sasuke's help, they lit them up again. Twice more they did this and except for a few strays, the ground was littered with squirming burning bodies of snakes and a few men.
"How's that kid? Looks like you got lunch if you want it!" The toad laughed.
"Eew, no thanks but damned good job Gamakichi! Thanks for the help! You going to stick around?" Naruto and Sasuke hopped off the toad's back.
"Nah, I've had my fun. I'll leave the rest to you. Good luck Naruto!"
"Thanks again and say hi to your old man!" Naruto got in just before the toad disappeared.
"Good thinking Naruto." Sasuke held out his hand and Naruto clasped it. "Let's take care of the two-legged snakes now!"
"You got it!" Naruto smiled. Looking around there were smoldering fires here and there then all their friends were on the ground again grinning at them. Now they could fight!
Kakashi and Guy fought never out of sight of the other. The men they fought were highly skilled but in the backs of their minds, was the worry for their Genin. It pushed them to fight with determination so that they could go help them. Asuma and Kurenai were also working together and Genma and the others were holding their own as well but the enemy was desperate to get away which gave them extra strength.
He smelled smoke and burning flesh and hoped that it was just Sasuke using his fire jutsu. So far the battle had been pretty much even but something needed to change. They'd chased these bastards for over a day and now were entering the afternoon of the second day. At some point, their chakra and strength were going to give out, but whose would go first, theirs or the enemies?
There was a sudden commotion and three more ninja joined the battle. Kakashi blinked. Clones? No triplets or at least brothers! He knew this because he'd lifted his headband. The men had long dark hair, black slanted eyes and cruel lips. Evil faces! Were they the ones Ibiki had been chasing after?
The brothers entered the fray and attacked ally and enemy alike. They cared only for protecting each other. Chakra flowed from them as they crossed the battlefield. Any attacks directed at them seem to bounce off. Leaf ninja confronted them but ended either broken or lying prone at their feet.
"Leaf Shinobi!" It was Ibiki having appeared behind the newcomers. "Careful! These three act as one – the San-ken and they lead this group of rogues! DO NOT LET THEM PASS!" Black Ops swarmed out of the trees, swords in hand cutting down their foes.
With more help, Kakashi and Guy were able to move faster and freer. Things were looking up until his Sharingan saw some hand signals he was unfamiliar with. One of the three brothers – no all three were doing the hand signs. "Look out!" He yelled to Guy and caught him by the back of his vest.
A black ball of energy with yellow at its center came flying their way. They jumped out of the way just as it hit the spot where they'd been. The ground exploded and black flames licked at the earth spreading quickly but that wasn't all! A foul smell accompanied the flames – toxic fumes!
"Come on! That stuff will kill us!" Kakashi yell moving further away and grabbing up one of the Chunins who'd gotten just a whiff of it and had slumped to the ground.
Everywhere he looked, ninjas were trying their damnedest to avoid the three spots the brothers had targeted. In shock they watched first the black flames then the brothers pass through it with no effects! They had effectively cleared themselves a path and made sure no one could follow them. Leaf Shinobi stood impotent as fear struck them when they saw the San-ken headed in the direction the Genin were fighting.
"No! No!" Kakashi tossed the injured man aside and took to the trees.
"Lee!" Guy yelled as he followed on Kakashi's heels.
Ibiki heard them, dealt a deadly blow to his attacker then took off after them. Those two, no those four Jonin would be overly worried about their people and he wasn't about to lose not one of them - Chunin, Jonin or Genin to those bastards.
"Dammit, give up already!" Kiba yelled as they battled against enemy clones. No sooner than Naruto and Sasuke had cleared the ground of snakes, the son-a-bitches had made clones and tried to escape in the chaos.
Naruto had just laughed and created an equal number of himself which allowed his comrades a few moments of rest. Kiba and Akamaru, having swallowed some food pills were full of energy and jumped into the fray. Between the three of them, they took out many of the clones but the Shin-Takeo just made more since they were finding it hard to escape the Genin.
"Sasuke, Hinata, Neji – a little help please!" Naruto yelled. "We can get this done if you'd just tell us which ones are real!" It had been fun at first but he was getting tired of this fight.
"He's right!" Shikamaru landed next to Sasuke. Come here you guys!" He called to the rest of them and somehow while still managing to fight, each of them got close enough to hear Shikamaru's plan.
Hinata became Naruto's and Shikamaru's eyes. Neji was Tenten's and Lee's eyes while Sasuke became Sakura's and Shino's eyes. Hinata, Neji and Sasuke found the real ninjas and communicated this to their teams who used their skills and jutsu to incapacitate their human foes. Choij, Ino, Kiba and Akamaru continued fighting the clones and slowly they eliminated the threats.
Naruto circled Hinata's waist, a huge grin on his face. "Good job Babe! Sasuke! Neji!" He and Hinata walked towards the other two who were also smiling. They'd done it! The rogue ninja were out of the game!
Chunin were securing those still alive while the Genin took a moment to celebrate their victory - their short-lived victory. Crashing and the sounds of running reached their ears. Smiles turned to frowns and hands found whatever weapons they had left. In moments they'd fanned out ready to intercept the ninjas fleeing from their Jonin.
Out in front of the San-ken fled some of the Shin-Takeo Chunin. They had somehow gotten in the brothers' path and knew those three wouldn't hesitate to kill them to save themselves. Like frightened animals running from a forest fire, these Chunin raced blindly to the waiting Genin. Because of their wild race, quite a few were knocked down and out immediately but in others, the survival instinct was much stronger.
Hinata and Naruto had a pair who weren't so easy to defeat. Hinata hadn't had time to put up her defense so she was fighting using the Gentle Fist. Naruto and his foe were trading blows endlessly.
Hinata's foe: What is this girl doing to me? Dammit my arm's gone numb! Oh no, I hear them coming! I've got to get out of here! "Move it bitch! I'm not dying here!" He struck out with his foot but it was only a feint to catch the girl off guard. Stepping in quickly, using a closed fist, he hit her across the face with it – hard.
Hinata gasped then her sight darkened as the fist connected with her jaw. She tasted blood and lost her balance. Stumbling backwards she tripped over a body and fell. "Naruto!" It was a whisper just before her head thumped against a rock.
Hinata! Naruto's heart called."HINATA!" His voice echoed throughout the forest. Blue seemed to take over his face as his eyes saw the blood pouring from the cut in his lover's head and her unmoving body. "WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO TO HINATA?!" His question came out in a growl. Naruto's eyes changed to that of an animal's. Fangs appeared from his lips and his nails grew into claws. "WHAT? YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING SOMEWHERE?" The man he'd been fighting had been backing away but Naruto moved so fast that most didn't see him move. He grabbed the man and tossed him at the one who hurt Hinata. "YOU'RE GOING TO PAY NOW. PAY DEARLY." The men lay on the ground, fear of the San-ken forgotten in the face of the crazed kid.
Fists and claws tore into the men without remorse. They screamed which snapped Sasuke, Shikamaru and Neji out of their shock. Seeing Naruto acting so – animalistic was intimidating. There was fear that he would turn on them but it was still Naruto, their friend and comrade. Running forward they tried to pull the unbelievably strong Naruto off of the men.
Then San-ken paused when they felt the strange chakra. Carefully as they crested the hill, they saw some kids pulling at someone. Was that the source of the powerful chakra? Whatever it was, they couldn't let it stop them! With silent communication they nodded at each other and began making those hand signs again.
Kakashi could feel Naruto release the fox's chakra. That was bad but what was worse was that he could feel that other chakra as well. The kind that turned to black fire and fumes that could kill. Still running he summoned his dogs and yelled at them to warn the Genin to get out of the way. Kakashi paused loosing precious moments to focus his chakra. He would have to use the Lightning Blade.
"Run, run get away now. You can't fight these guys! Kakashi and the others are coming! Move it now!" Pakkun yelled. He and the other dogs, pushed, pulled and bit to get the Genin to move.
"But Naruto!" Sasuke yelled and fought the dogs.
Naruto was no longer attacking the two mangled men. He'd felt the hate and rage from the three in black. Red flames seemed to lick at his body. Standing he growled, "IT'S YOU! YOU WHO CAUSED THIS!" He pointed to Hinata. "I'LL END YOU! YOU'LL DIE FOR THIS!" A laugh escaped him but it wasn't one of humor but more of despair. Naruto held out his hand and without the help of a clone formed the Rasengan.
"No! Naruto!" Kakashi ran with lightning in his hand but knew the teen could not be reasoned with; all he could do was make his own attack and hope Naruto wouldn't be hurt. From the corner of his eye, Kakashi saw Ibiki and Guy going for the brother on the left. He was going for the brother on the right leaving the one in the middle for Naruto.
The San-ken cursed seeing that they were being attacked from all sides. They knew they could take the men coming from behind but the boy… It was him they needed to attack with their jutsu. "Raaaahhhhh!" Three voices sounded and sent the black orbs to Naruto.
"NARUTOOOOOOO!!" Sasuke and Sakura's voices were loudest as his friends watched in horror as terrible, destructive chakra was thrown at him.
Kakashi reached his target a second later, his hand entering the man's back, through his heart and out his chest. It didn't faze him in the least. Pulling out his hand, he turned to Naruto and wished to one day forget the sight of what he just witnessed.
Running with unconscionable speed, Naruto approached the men then jumped into the air. "DIE!" As he came down just feet from the men, Kakashi-sensei killed one of the men but he didn't stop. His attack passed their's by inches. The Rasengan didn't make direct contact but the force was enough to send the two still standing flying into the air. Guy and Ibiki had to move quickly to avoid them but as the bodies hit the ground, they were there to finish the job Naruto had started.
An elongated scream tore at the nerves. The ground seemed to shiver as it heard Naruto's pain. It seemed as if he hung in the air for minutes before finally plummeting to the ground black flames about his body.
Sasuke mouthed his name and tried to approach him but the fumes wouldn't allow it. He fell to his knees as his best friend and brother died before his eyes.