Author Note: Whoo! Thank you to everyone that reviewed! As I mentioned last chapter, I'm searching for a beta... well, now I'm in a desperate need of a beta. Now with work (ewww, work) and school (ewww, school) I've got a small amount of time to edit (and I'm picky) between well, working, and writing up essays and all that lovely crap that comes with highschool. Anyways, if you're at all interested, please, please, please, please let me know, your help would be very appreciated. Now, enough babbling, here's the next chapter, review, but most importantly enjoy it! Hurray!

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Darkside

Outcome of all things gone bad

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"Let them in."

Shizune nodded and stepped towards the wooden door, opening it via a well used doorknob. Three leaf-nin stepped forwards, all silent and concerned.

Tsunade sat across from them in her large desk, wondering how she could see them through the tall stacks of paper. She had called each of the ninja here because there was a feeling she was experiencing that told her not all was going well for Naruto, Shikamaru, and Sakura.

The three had left Konoha hours ago. It was a rather short mission, something Naruto himself was capable of completing in a mere three hours. But they had been gone longer than that. Something definitely was wrong.

She remembered giving Shikamaru the seals used for forcing demons into submission and hoped they worked. The shadow jutsu ninja was smart, there was no way he'd just stand by as the Kyuubi practically took over Naruto. He would most likely have a plan formulated in case that happened.

"What exactly is this mission about?" The one with the weirdest eyes asked politely.

"Please," Tsunade said. "Take a seat." When four pairs of eyes, Shinzune's included, stared at her blankly, she coughed and twirled a lock of her golden hair. "Never mind. Now, I want you all to pay very close attention! No slacking off!"

All three leaf-nin called to the Hokage's office stood up perfectly straight. "Yes Hokage-sama," they all said at the same time.

Tsunade leaned back in her chair, eyeing them, trying to see if they were good enough for this mission. But she knew she shouldn't doubt their abilities.

"Neji, Lee, Hinata, the mission you are about to be sent on is the retrieval of Uzumaki Naruto." She registered their puzzled and shocked expressions. "You have exactly forty-five minutes to reach the area he was sent to with Shikamaru and Sakura. I am sorry to have pulled you all away from your missions, but this is very important and Naruto's life may rest in your hands."

"Anything for Naruto-kun!" Lee spoke up, looking determined as usual.

"Alright, you're dismissed. Please hurry."

Tsunade gave the assembled team a map and a compass, vaguely showing them where to go. They left shortly after, on their way to find Naruto and his teammates.

Outside the tall office windows, a grave expression formed on Jiraiya's face. Naruto was definitely not alright and if pressed to, the seal would release itself.

Disappearing, the frog summoner left to quickly pack a few things before he planned on beating Tsunade's team to Naruto. They would be too late and wouldn't know what to do with the situation anyways.

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Naruto fell forwards, his face clashing with the bumpy ground. He could barely feel the sharp rocks cutting the soft flesh on his face; the pain in his stomach was out of this world.

His chakra began to dissipate, leaving him weak and confused. Strong power still surged through his veins, tempting him to get back up and fight, fight, fight, fight with everything he was worth. His head throbbed and he felt dizzy, sickened by the power and the pain in his stomach.

Soil suffocated him temporarily before the taste of copper blossomed in his mouth. Naruto lifted his head and coughed out blood, moaning in pain and seeing double of everything. He was vaguely aware of someone walking up to him cautiously, as if he was some sort of terrifying fiend.

What's happening?

Sakura was afraid that perhaps the seals hadn't worked at all. What if all three seals were needed to be used and not just two? Her mind raced frantically as she dared herself to see if Naruto was alright.

The blond began to move, struggling to push himself up. Sakura wasn't the type of person that ignored people in turmoil and was instantly beside Naruto, helping him stand. Her hands became stained with droplets of crimson that spilled from the blond's palms but she kept herself steady and slung his arm over her shoulders.

"S-S-S-Sakura-chan?"

"Naruto! Are you feeling better? What happened?"

Answering questions seemed like something completely absurd. His vision was unable to focus no matter how hard he tried. The pain remained strong but Naruto didn't have the heart to notice. There was something else bothering him.

Crimson seeped in from the corners of his eyes. His body went limp and Sakura panicked, asking questions in a shaky voice.

What's happening to me?

"Sakura!" Came Shikamaru's voice from off in the distance. Naruto couldn't register where exactly he was located but his voice sounded so far away... "Drop Naruto! Now! Can't you see that chakra?"

The kunoichi dropped her friend (regrettably) and jumped backwards as powerful crimson tendrils of chakra lashed out at her. She heard Naruto begin to scream and went to ease his pain, obviously forgetting the chakra, but a strong hand grasped her by the wrist, holding her back.

"Shik...," she dropped his name upon realizing who it was and her facial expression fell. "You!" She ripped her hand away and pointed to a certain man with white hair. "What are you doing here?"

Jiraiya, ignoring Sakura, jumped in front of her, holding out a seal of his own. The kunoichi fell silent and Shikamaru neared cautiously as Jiraiya muttered a few incoherent words. He flicked the seal at Naruto with ease and was standing over him as his chakra finally disappeared.

"Oi! Naruto!" He reached down to turn him over (Naruto's face was implanted into the ground...again) and received no response from the blond. "Come on, kid!"

"We have arrived!"

A vortex of wind formed before Jiraiya and an unconscious Naruto. Lee, sporting his usual out-of-the-ordinary-weird clothing stepped forwards, Neji and Hinata jumping out of a near by tree moments later.

Hinata was clearly distressed, tired and worried about Naruto. She gasped at the sight of him still and unconscious and hurried to his side, but Jiraiya stopped her.

"Don't get too close, you don't want to be harmed."

"W-w-w-w-what did N-Naruto-kun do?"

"What's going on here?"

Everyone turned to an impatient looking Kashikoi and his men. Sakura briefly explained what had transpired to Lee, Neji, and Hinata. It was hard for them to understand, especially for the shier of the kunoichi.

"And you see," Sakura concluded. "We need to get Naruto back to Konoha but Kashikoi-sama still needs protection and the mission has yet to be completed."

"I'm taking Naruto back." Jiraiya lifted Naruto up and slung him over his back, careful not to awaken him or the crimson chakra. "The rest is up to you, good luck."

Everyone fell into an uncomfortable silence until Shikamaru sighed. "Things really got out of hand..." The others nodded and Sakura spared a glance in the direction Jiraiya had set off in towards Konoha.

I hope Naruto is going to be okay...

"I'll take the position of brave Naruto-kun!" Lee volunteered enthusiastically, raising his hand up in the air. "I promise I will do my absolute best!" He gave the 'nice guy' pose, a strong promise indeed.

"We'll report back to Hokage-sama," Neji said distantly, troubled over what he had just learned. Hinata nodded and they both headed straight for Konoha, worried about Naruto (though Neji would never admit it).

"Great. Now that everything has all worked out, let's go." Kashikoi signaled for his men to follow. "I do hope I'm still under your protection..."

Sakura frowned. This was not worked out. Everything was not okay. She wondered how someone so respected and kind could be such an uncaring jerk. Naruto could have died and yet the old man showed no sign of sympathy. She knew hardly anyone cared for Naruto, but Kashikoi did not know of what lay within the blond. She frowned as he waited for an answer.

Jerk...

"Of course," Lee piped up. Sakura and Shikamaru were both wondering how much energy he harbored. It had to be a lot.

"Alright. Everyone move out!"

Lee and Shikamaru took their positions in the trees. There was a lack of radio so they were on guard constantly, checking for any suspicious movements in the forest. Sakura lead the group of cowardly guards and Kashikoi, all the while healing her arm with techniques Tsunade had taught her.

She didn't even get the chance to heal Naruto's wounds. What had it been like for him? She wondered. The kunoichi knew she would have to wait until their mission was finished before quickly going back to Konoha.

Hold in there, Naruto!

Continued in chapter eight!