AN: Keep reviewing! It means a lot to me! Sry it took so long to update!

The Other Players

It was dark, humid and damp. The fortress emitted such a dark force that scarce life was found in the swamp that it was located. Gusts of flames sprung from the murky waters that surrounded the palace that emanated death. The fortress was located so far in this hellish swamp that it was almost impossible for any human to even reach its gates. Ironically enough, the only animal life was the deadly, venomous, not to mention carnivorous snakes that made the swamp their home.

The serpents were far from the most dangerous beings in the area. More sinister creatures lurked in the shadows inside of the fortress. About one hundred of the vilest villains made this their temporary residence. Each one was more cut throat than the last. Not one of them had any sense of honor or kinsman ship. They would turn on one another in a second's notice if it so benefited them.

However, one common goal banded them together. Greed. Each one wanted to rule the seven seas with an iron fist. At this point only one man could fulfill this sick dream. Only he had the raw power and sheer brilliance to overthrow the strongest underwater kingdoms. He was so twisted and demented that no one dared undermine his orders. It was said that he was banished from his kingdom because he was using fellow ninjas to perform sickening experiments on them in an attempt to find the secret of eternal life. Luckily, he was banished immediately so his mission wasn't successful…at least…not yet.

In the very heart of the fortress, plans were being made to rectify this circumstance. In this inner room, where no sunlight ever reached, no human being was found there. The serpentine creatures of the deep had made this den their headquarters. In this inner chamber, there were no humans. A very tall and muscular naga with a cow print like tail pattern knelt before his master. On his back he carried an enormous sword that no ordinary human could hope to wield. Despite its size, this particular naga was known for his mastery of the silent kill.

On the right side of the throne a naga with silvery white hair and a lavender tail "stood." It was clear that this young man was the master's right hand man. Despite his innocent appearance, this one was probably the second strongest in the entire fortress. Such a rank does not come with clean hands. His knowledge and skill of all things medical made him one of the most feared nagas among his peers. Even his master was sometimes suspicious of his loyalty to him. It would not be hard for his apprentice to betray him at any time.

Finally, the ring leader of them all sat on his throne made of stone thrumming his fingers lazily atop the armrest. Long midnight tresses matched his equally long black tail and some said maybe even his tainted heart. His human half had sickly pale skin that almost appeared bruise like because of lack of sunlight. Everything about him seemed snakelike, from the slit in his piercing yellow eyes to the revolting long tongue that would slip out of his mouth when he found something to be enjoyable. He was their lord, their leader and everything that embodied evil incarnate itself. Such a devious being has even more disgustingly sick desires. Right now, his main goal was to make Sasuke his. He would get him to work for him and then he would take over his body. At long last the sharingan would be his and soon he would take over the whole naga kingdom from the inside out. The mermaid kingdom would fall easily after that. But now, to put that plan into action.

"Lord Oroachimaru, you summoned me" the large intimidating naga said finally breaking the eerie silence. Oroachimaru licked his lips with his appalling tongue a sadistic grin displayed. He knew that the curse seal's power was almost up and that sooner or later Kakashi would have to make a break for it. He would just have to intercept them. Foolish Kakashi, I will have the sharingan and not even you can protect them from me…

"Yes, Zabuza, I want you to locate Kakashi and his little group. My spies have observed them leaving a human ninja village. I want you to bring me back Sasuke…alive, kill the others." Oroachimaru slurred.

Zabuza scoffed like it was nothing.

"Not a problem, I'll get that brat for you. Besides, I have a score to settle with Kakashi. I'll make him watch the death of those two other brats before I kill him myself." The naga known as Kabuto scowled at Zabuza like he was some kind of foolish idiot with raised hopes. Oroachimaru noticed his apprentice's disdain and smirked.

"Be careful Zabuza, they aren't as weak as you think. I wouldn't want you to die without bringing me Sasuke first," Oroachimaru warned softly like a parent chiding a child. Zabuza blew him off and rose to leave.

"Oh and Zabuza, I want you to appear human. I don't want Sasuke finding out what he is so quickly. That is a secret I want to share with him personally." Zabuza actually shivered. Sometimes, Oroachimaru was down right creepy, even to a cutthroat villain such as him.

"Whatever…" he said exiting the throne room. Once he was gone, Kabuto immediately turned to his master.

"Lord Oroachimaru, you surely know that Zabuza is in no way a match for Kakashi. He'll be killed for sure. If you want that Uchiha so bad, then send me, I'll get the job done without such ruckus." Oroachimaru chuckled.

"Kabuto, I am grateful for your acts of loyalty, however there is no need. I am perfectly aware that Zabuza will surely die; however, I want to see how well Sasuke does against him. I'm sending spies to monitor him. I need Sasuke to be strong when he comes to me. Beasides, it will let Kakashi know that we're on to him."

Kabuto tried to keep his poker face. Oroachimaru was willing to sacrifice his own men in order to get Sasuke. A cold chill ran down his spine. Would he do that to him? Looking at his leader now, he couldn't really tell. He was going to have to be cautious from now on. One wrong move now and his life would be forfeit.

Meanwhile, at the ocean's edge, where the surf started to break against the shore a figure emerged from its depths. A hand seal was performed and out of those same waves the stranger walked out taking in all of his surroundings. He was silent and ever perceptive, alert to the smallest stimuli. Long dark brown hair stuck to the wet body of its owner. Pearl white eyes scanned the area for enemies or otherwise. His jaw was set with complete determination. Nothing would keep him from his goal. That day, months ago, had lit such a fire of fierce hatred and a constant ache of worry. The secret love of his life had almost been killed by a madman and was now in the care of one of their kind enduring who knows what.

Well, all of that was about to change. After months of consecutive pleading, the king had finally allowed him to bring back the princess. This time, when he brought her and his cousin home, he would never let her go. This time, regardless of consequences, he was going to tell her he loved her and give her the love and protection that she needed. He would rescue her from that snake. That boy had blown his last chance, and he fully intended on taking advantage of that. Then maybe she finally would be able to look at him with adoration and love. He was going to be her knight, her ninja, her everything and she would be his. He would not let anyone have her.

His determination was fired even more. With his elite senses, he could already sense her chakra from a huge distance away. He had the feel of her chakra memorized by heart. It was now only a matter of time before he would reach her. Hope rose within him. He would find her again, and she would warm his heart like she always had. It would take some time to reach her. Looking down at his temporary legs covered by a strange cloth, he scowled. This form was irritating. Land was irritating. It reminded him of his failure to protect her. He would rectify that situation. Soon, he would be able to maneuver perfectly on these legs and in these clothes and he would find her as quickly as possible. Walking onto the beach, he smirked. The Uchiha's time with his princess was up, and he, Neji Hyuuga was going to make sure of it. She would be his.

Meanwhile, team seven plus Hinata was making their way through the forests of fire country. It had been a day since their mission started and Kakashi still had not told them what the purpose was…

"Believe it! This mission is going to be awesome!" Naruto yelled pumping his fist in the air. All of a sudden a resounding smack was heard and then the sound of Naruto whining.

"Ahh, Sakura that really hurt! Why'd you do that!" Naruto pouted. Sakura grit her teeth trying to reign in her temper.

"Because Naruto, you've been saying that for the past three hours. Gosh Naruto, you are sooo annoying sometimes," Sakura said exasperatedly.

Hinata looked on at Naruto shyly, mentally giving him her condolences forhis bruised pride not to mention the pain that must be wracking his head. This was her perfect opportunity to console him and show that she cared. Hinata mustered up all of her courage and bravely lifted her eyes to meet his. Naruto looked at her quizzically as she continued to stare at him without saying a word. He found it oddly creepy. He was too oblivious to see that she was struggling for the boldness to show him the feelings that were so close to her heart. She wanted to show him that she saw him, understood him, and truly loved him for everything he was and was not.

But just as she opened her mouth, the whole situation was ripped away from her with one insult from a raven haired boy.

"Loser." Hinata watched in disappointment as Naruto's facial expression swiftly changed from one of concern and curiosity to anger and fierce determination.

"Say that again you idiot!" Naruto challenged whipping around to face Sasuke. Hinata sagged in disappointment while the sensei and Sakura sweatdropped. Both could see that Hinata had finally built up the courage to talk directly with her obvious crush and now it was crushed by the stupid rivalry that seemed like it would never die. Sakura and Kakashi sighed in frustration. Were those two boys completely emotionally retarded? Right now, all signs pointed to yes.

"Having to repeat myself now? You really are getting more stupid loser," Sasuke taunted. In less than a second, Naruto was flying at Sasuke his fist pulled back ready.

"I'll show you who's stupid, you moron!" Naruto shouted heatedly. In no time, the boys were completely encased in a sparring match. Kakashi sighed. What did he do to deserve this? He didn't know. He did know that both the kings owed him big time for having to put up with these hormone crazy teenagers.

He slowly made his way over to stop the brawl when out of nowhere four steel chains wrapped around him. In a less than a second the chains constricted and Kakashi's body was shredded to pieces…

Sry this chapter is so short but it's just filler the next chap will be up soon and will be longer! Sasuke and Sakura's first kiss! Don't miss it!