Hey Everyone ... ok ... i know that I've taken a little longer then a week break ... but .. well ... I kinda needed it ... I'm sorry ... so ... well ... I hope you guys like this next chapter ... ok ... well ... enough talk ... let's go
IMPORTANT! - ok ... i'm just wondering ... how many of you people actually read my notes? lol ... next time i do this ... it will be important
God ... and if over 100 people have this story on their alert list ... couldn't at least 10 review ... i mean ... god
and to my steady reviewers ... I love you guys:
KaL-El of Krypt0n
& iceprincess421 (thanks for
reviewing so keenly and consistenly)
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Journey to Sound
Last Time on The Path to Hokage:
"Release," Itachi muttered. The red sky began to rapidly disappear as the blue sky once again showed itself and the trees surrounded Itachi and Iro along with the rest of the remaining Akatsuki members.
Back in the real world, Iro fell over, while Itachi stood there panting somewhat deeply, eyes returned to dark black. "I win." He began to walk away.
Kisame smirked. "The punk didn't even last a second. Itachi thrashed him." Itachi turned to glare at him, clearly disturbed. "He ... almost ... beat ..."
";No ... but he was quite a match ..." Itachi murmered.
Ryo stepping up to Iro, revived him. "You are now a proud member of Akatsuki. Be prepared for your first mission. You, Itachi, and Kisame will be sent to the new Sound Village and kill Orochimaru."
"Yes, Master," Iro said slipping away quietly.
"Itachi!" Ryo called, "Orochimaru now has the Orochi so make sure you and Kisame don't hold back Sanbi and Rokubi. Claire will meet with you there as she has been assigned for the same mission through Konoha."
Ryo narrowed his eyes, slightly, "You will meet the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki and your brother, Itachi."
Itachi nodded and disappeared along with Kisame.
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The next morning at the gates of Konoha, Tsunade was giving the mission details to the eight squads of ANBU and the Yamanichis. When she finished, she gave a scroll to Sasuke and a bag of pills to Sakura. "These pills are special soldier pills." Sakura nodded. (think along the lines of senzu beans)
She gave Naruto a hug and said, "Now make us proud, squirt." She yelled, "GO!" They immediately dispersed on their way to the Sound Village to face Orochimaru, and unbeknowingly, three Akatsuki members.
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Naruto, Sasuke, Claire, and Sakura were huddling around the campfire. It had been Naruto's turn to take gaurd for the night, but Sasuke and Sakura had decided to give him company. On the condition that he did it for them as well. Naruto had happily agreed and they were now huddled with their partners next to the fire. Two of them sleeping at a time.
"Look at those two lovebirds," Naruto said, holding Sakura close to him. "I mean ... he's not even ..." He looked around before leaning closer to Sakura and whispered, "A v----n (if you get this ... ok ... if you don't ... you don't need to) anymore?" He got a bonk on his head for that.
"Sa - Sakura - chan!" Naruto yelled, reverting back to his groveling state. "What was that for?"
"You're so god damn immature about that!" Sakura retorted. "Sheesh ... you'd think you'd be over it by now. That was a two months ago .. at his birthday bash!"
"Oh yeah!" Naruto said, his face brightening up. "If I remember correctly ..." He inched a little closer to Sakura. "We came pretty close that night ... with all the drinks ero-sennin spiked."
Sakura giggled, "Tsunade - sama was really pissed." She put on her "look" as she inched closer to Naruto. Her lips where centimeters above Naruto's. They were even breathing in the same air, now. "How about we finish what we started?"
"GAAH!" Naruto yelled as he slipped back from surprise.
"Quiet down you two," Sasuke mumbled, "You're pretty close to waking up the entire camp." He closed his eyes again.
Naruto got back up and sat down next to Sakura, blushing slightly along with Sakura. "You're kidding, right? I thought you said we'd wait until we were both eighteen?" Sakura just looked at him.
She replied, "You are one different guy, Uzumaki. Any other guy would have jumped to get with me, but you ..." Let's see how he reacts to this ...
Naruto began, "Well ... you wouldn't have chosen me if it weren't for that." He suddenly disappeard. Sakura frantically looked around yelling his name. Suddenly a pair of strong arms grabbed her from behind and lifted her up, bridal style. "Let's go." he said with a smile that made her blush.
"Naruto ..." she began when a look of panic took in Naruto's eyes. He dropped Sakura and fell down to the ground, completely unconcious. "Naruto! Naruto! NARUTO!" The sun was beginning to rise as she woke up the whole camp with her yells for Naruto.
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Oh ... my head ... Naruto mumbled as he looked around to find himself in front of a familiar cage, Kyubi's loaming eyes staring at Naruto, anxious for something about to happen ... or ... had already happened.
What the hell just happened, Kyubi? Naruto asked, accusingly.
Kid ... remember when it took you a month to heal when it usually would have taken minutes? the fox asked. Naruto added. It was just a stage of you development as Jinchuuriki. Uptil now, you haven't had any experience with my techniques. At Naruto's classical lost look, he continued, Gaara controls sand. Its time you learned my stuff. If you don't, my chakra won't come to you anymore, even if I want it to.
So ... What do you know? Naruto asked. Immediately, a scroll popped into existance and landed in front of Naruto. This is THE Specialty Summoning Scroll. This scroll can only be used by Jinchuuriki. It allows the user to summon their biju out.
Wouldn't the biju be able to roam free on its own accord? Naruto asked accusingly, raising an eyebrow.
Nice catch, but no. The biju is honor bound to serve the Jinchuuriki. If we attempt to break free, by the Code, ALL of our power goes to you.
That's amazing. Naruto said. If I can summon you for no chakra, and you have unlimited chakra so that means that ... that ... I'd be unstoppable! Naruto began jumping up and down into the air.
There's a catch, though. Naruto immediately stopped. Figured. What is it? You can only summon me four times a year. Thinking about it ... it makes perfect sense. It would prevent another Biju war. Your not as dumb as you look, kid. Naruto pouted.
So what else do you got for me, Kyubi?
Kyubi chuckled as he said, A third move along with your other two attacks ... Lightning Rasengan and Thunder Flash Punch ... The Nine - Tailed Strike ... (I know ... very classic ... but you'll see more on that later ...)
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Naruto woke up to find himself staring at what appeared to be Sakura's butt. He blushed furiously as certain thoughts from a mate deprived Kyubi invaded his thoughts.
"Your finally awake, stone head?" Sakura asked. "We tried to wake you up, but you were still down so we decided to carry you until you woke up." Naruto immediately got down and began to run through the trees by her side.
"How close are we now?" he asked. He had a bad feeling that something was going to happen as he looked around, Kyuubi's senses were also alert for possible danger.
"A kilometer and a half away," she replied. "We're going to camp a km away." Naruto just nodded as he signaled her to follow him as he jumped up to the front of the group of ninja next to Sasuke.
"Akatsuki's here, Sasuke," Naruto whispered quietly. Sakura's and Sasuke's faces opened in shock. "Kyubi feels the presence of two other biju around here and the remaining biju in the world belong to Akatsuki."
"This is bad," Sasuke urgently whispered. "How many of them and how close are they to us and the rest of our group?" Kai noticed the change in his mentors demeanor. He looked at his siblings and they began to creep up towards their teachers, listening intently.
"Three. And from what Kyubi told me ... its Kisame, a new guy, and ... Itachi." Sasuke's eyes flashed in anger before he surpressed his emotions. "Don't lose yourself, Sasuke. Your going to have to face Itachi and his six - tailed biju." Sasuke nodded.
"They're a kilometer ahead of us," Naruto continued. "It looks like they're already in the Sound Village as well. It appears that Orochimaru is a threat they want to see ended."
Sakura sighed, "And its not helping us at all that you three are listening in and not commenting?" She put on a small smile beckoning the Yamanichi's to come over and enter the conversation.
"It's good that you two are here because," Naruto said, "You three will be facing off one of Akatsuki's members."
"What are you thinking Naruto?" Sakura said. "Those three are high - Chuunin level at most! They won't stand a chance against and S - class ninja!" Naruto's following look made her quiet. Naruto's worried ...
"You guys listen up!" Naruto landed on the ground as he yelled, "We have a problem!" The Eight ANBU squads immediately landed on the ground intently listening to Naruto. "It appears that three members of Akatsuki will be at the Sound Village, and we have to plan."
After half an hour of planning, Sasuke finished, "To summarize things: Squads one through three will attack the main gate. Squads four through six will attack from the back. Squads seven will accompany the Yamanichi's and back them up as they infiltrate the Sound and search for the Akatsuki members." The groups nodded. "You guys will begin your invasion at 500 hours sharp. Dismissed." They dispersed immediately preparing for battle, and getting the rest they needed.
"And you, elite Squad Eight will stay behind and assist the different forces when called for." Naruto said. "Claire and Sasuke will search for Itachi." He looked at them before saying, "Good luck. Dismissed." They disappeared, setting camp, leaving Sakura and him alone.
"Sakura," he said touching her cheek lightly. "You are going to be facing Kisame ... alo -"
"With me." a voice cried out.
Naruto immediately turned around to see his blood "brother" coming through the forest riding on a cloud of sand.
"Gaara."
"Naruto," he began. "Me and Sakura will face Kisame, leaving you to deal with Orochimaru."
Wordless thanks was in Naruto's eyes as he said, "Thanks Gaara."
Gaara stepped down before whispering, "I know how much she means to you, so .. yeah. Consider this payback."
"How's Shukaku doing in there?" Naruto asked. He and Sakura had devised a seal that would seal the biju without killing the seal creator, and it would maximize the benefits of the biju for the containor.
"Well," Gaara said. "And if you don't mind ... I'm gonna get some sleep." Naruto just smiled as his friend made a bed of sand and fell asleep in seconds.
Naruto hugged Sakura close to himself thinking Tomorrow's going to be a BIG day ...
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IMPORTANT! I want at least ten reviews ... i won't post until i do ... and second ... READ MY NOTES! (they might reveal some stuff in the future ..)