Alright, there's a bit of a timeskip between the chapters, so I'll warn you of that now. Also, this is shorter than I would have liked, but I also didn't feel like dragging this part out.

I don't own Naruto


"Well then. Which path would lead us to where Sasuke is?" All eyes fixed on the former sounds as Jiraiya asked the question.

"All of them." The three leaf-nins gave Dosu a funny look, before Kin started to explain.

"The base is designed in a circular pattern. It doesn't matter which path you take, you'll eventually end up in the central chamber. Of course, all three areas are also heavily trapped, so..."

"...We should split up, to avoid all being caught in the same one." Finished Jiraiya.

Naruto began sprinting towards the one directly in front of them. "ALRIGHT!! TIME TO BRING BACK SASUKE!!" His dash was stopped as Jiraiya extended his arm.

"We can't just rush forwards like that!? We need to be careful about this!" At this time, the sanin removed a stick and slammed it into the ground dramatically. Then he let go, watching as it fell down to the right. "Alright, I'll go that way. Naruto, you and Dosu will go through the center. Sakura and Kin are left."

"How is that any better than what I was doing!?" Ignoring him, the group split up, each taking a separate pathway.


"I told you before, I'm not your enemy."

"I don't care, you still hurt Lee and I still don't trust you." Dosu turned back to looking ahead. It was easier to ignore him than to argue.

"Just watch out for traps." Naruto, still angry, went back to looking ahead. However, only a few steps later, Dosu had grabbed him and yanked him back, knocking him to the ground.

"WHAT WAS THAT FOR!"

"You were about to set off a trap." He pointed towards the ground, at one of the stones that made up the floor.

"Are you out of your mind!? That's a rock!" Dosu shook his head slightly, before kneeling down.

"There's a small gap around the edges to allow it to slide easier. It rattles against the sides when there's vibrations near it. Listen." Dosu knocked on the ground twice, once next to it, the other time farther away.

"They sounded the same!"

He's an idiot. "If you can't detect them, you'll only get us killed."

"I'm telling you, your wrong. Look..." Naruto slammed his foot on the rock before Dosu could stop him. "See, nothing." Then, slowly, it began to slide downwards. "...Oh."


"Sakura?" The pink haired girl turned towards her new partner.

"Yeah?"

"I just...wanted to apologize. For what I said before, back in the Chunin Exams." A small smile appeared across the girl's face.

"Don't worry. It's not your fault. Besides..." Sakura cast her gaze downwards. "You were right, back then. I depended on everyone around me, for everything. So, that's why I'm here now. I would have gone alone, if I had to, but instead, Naruto joined me. And then you, Dosu, and Jiraiya. So now," She looked back up with new-found determination. "I have to prove myself. To everyone."


"Why did you step on that?" asked Dosu, still running.

"I-uh-heh...can we talk about this later?"

The two sped down the corridor at top speed as bamboo spears shot out of the wall behind them, cutting off their escape. After a few more minutes of running, however, the noises stopped. They paused, looking around her anymore traps.

"It looks like we're safe here." Stated Dosu. "I'm taking the lead."

"What, who put you in charge!?" Naruto fumed, before taking another few steps ahead.

Dosu's eyes widened in anticipation as the ground beneath Naruto opened up, revealing a number of spikes.


"It looks like we're the first one's here."

Kin and Sakura looked around the room. There were pillars on either side of them, with torches attached. At the far end, was a door. Kin motioned towards it, and the two started walking forwards, before it began to open.

"Well, it's been quite a long time since you've been here, hasn't it Kin? Allow me to give you a proper homecoming."

"Kabuto. Your just a spy, what makes you think you could even touch me?" A smirk danced across his face.

"Is that all you think I am? No, I'm afraid your sadly mistaken."


Before someone asks, there is a reason that Sasame isn't here, and it's the same one as in the anime. And no, Kin doesn't really know who Kabuto is in relation to Orochimaru.

Read and Review