Yay, a chapter that actually has some length! Actually, I was wondering if anyone knows the actual dimensions of konoha, or like a map or something. Because I'm mainly just making up stuff here, and I'd really appreciate if someone could help figure out what it's actually like (canon-wise). Thanks, and happy reading!

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Naruto pulled a kunai and spun, bringing it up under the ribs of his foe, who was held by three of his clones. As they dropped the lifeless body however, all three clones and a log were consumed by a raging ball of fire. Naruto appeared in the air above the man responsible and, forming a clone, spun it through the air and threw it at the ninja, using the momentum to rebound himself off a building, and releasing a hail of shuriken at the same time. However the clone was intercepted by another fireball, and the ninja contemptuously batted away the shuriken with his wakazashi. Naruto swore, then prepared for another assault, when suddenly a swarm of snakes lashed out and crushed the man against a wall.

Naruto just looked away and started moving again. He was operating on pure instinct now, only his Kage Bunshins and training from the academy allowed him to keep up with Anko as she set a breakneck pace through the massive village.

Finally coming to a stop in a sort of courtyard atop a tall building, Naruto started to catch his breath, only to be startled into a defensive stance by the arrival two more ninja. However, after seeing Anko relax after a hand sign from one, Naruto sighed, and then noticed the one who had signed was Tiger-mask. However, a familiar voice broke Naruto out of his reverie.

"Naruto, I guess you made it too." Naruto turned to the one who had spoken, shocked.

"Shikamaru?!" The boy stepped out from behind Tiger-mask.

"Yeah, it's me."

Naruto remained stunned "B-but how?! With the genjutsu, and the kunai, and the ninja…"

Shikamaru's shoulder's tightened as he recalled what had happened. "I was already asleep when the genjutsu took effect, and I woke up and saw the kunai, so I managed to dodge them, but…" Shikamaru's voice cracked, but he kept going "I saw them die Naruto. I saw Ino… Chouji… Kiba… Everyone Naruto, everyone from the Academy's dead."

Naruto nodded "Even Iruka…" he mumbled softly. Shikamaru sat down, tears streaming down his face. "Dammit."

Finished talking to Tiger-mask, who promptly vanished, Anko trotted over "Well, I hate to break-up this teenage angst-fest, but not everyone's dead. Apparently most of Team Guy got away thanks to that Hyuuga brat, and speaking of which, that one on team 8 survived too, probably 'cause of their 'super-bloodline' or whatever they call it now. And besides, you two are alive, right?"

Naruto glanced at her coldly "Sure, thanks. Only most of our friends are dead. That makes me feel so much better. Why don't yo-"

Before he could finish Anko walked up and slapped him across the face. "You think I was trying to make you 'feel better'?! Let me tell you something you little emo baby, it never feels better! You're gonna hate this for the rest of your damn life. You are never, ever going to forget the looks on their faces as they died! And every time you're gonna ask, 'why me'! But you know what?! It isn't about you! You were the lucky one! If you wanna say 'why them?' then go the hell ahead, but stop acting like it was you that got turned into fucking a pincushion. You're alive! So if you wanna stay that way, and maybe make the son-of-a-bitch who did this pay, then you've gotta stop feeling sorry for yourself and start learning how to survive!"

Pausing to catch her breath, Anko continued "It looks like the enemy has blocked off the west exit, so Kaihaku is going to direct the rest of the survivors towards the south tunnels. They should be able to lose any pursuit there."

Shikamaru looked up "By survivors you mean…"

"Low-level ninja, any civilians we could get to. Most of us are busy trying to slow down the invaders, but we're going to have to abandon the village."

At this Naruto jumped up, face livid "What!? How could we abandon the village!? This is our home!"

Anko just sighed and chuckled sadly "Not anymore it isn't. We've lost this fight." Seeing Naruto's outraged look, she continued "I don't mean we're leaving permanently, but we can't hold the village. We're gonna leave, then when we've built up enough strength, we're gonna take back the village. They won't be able to take complete control of the village for some time, not with the guerrilla forces we'll leave behind, and their internal politics should help just as much. Trust me, we'll be back to kick their asses before their down licking their wounds. Now come on."

Just as she started to leave however, Shikamaru spoke up "Actually, I don't think we should follow the main group." At this Anko narrowed her eyes.

"Explain."

Shikamaru shrugged "It's simple really. While I agree that the tunnels are the best escape for a large group of people, there is another alternative. A small group under a henge could slip out the main gate with relative ease. This is a large group of ninja from disparate sources. Likely they have no effective way to identify each other besides headbands. Without ours, and without our distinctive appearances, we would be nearly impossible to distinguish."

This time Naruto piped up "Oi, but why should we? What's the point?"

"Because, the enemy won't be expecting it. And if we split our forces, then even if one if caught, the other will still be at large. And, because it is obviously preferable for the larger group to survive, the smaller group would also be capable of staging a distraction if it appears that the main group is in danger of being caught."

Anko considered his suggestion quickly. "Okay, this actually sounds like it could work. I'll signal Kaihaku, then we'll head out. You guys are going to be part of the secondary group, because I don't have time to get you to the main one now. Are you ready for this?"

Both Naruto and Shikamaru nodded, their eyes cold and hard.

"Then let's go"

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Well there it is. Real plot, imagine that. Anyway, things are starting to heat up for our heroes now! Normally I'd try to bore you all to death with a ridiculously long author's note, but I'm way to tired, So please read and review!