Now that Hayate is back and Hokage, and parts of Sasuke's story have been revealed, its time to bring you the next chapter. Enjoy.
Chapter 42: Arrival of Sound, Sasuke Runs.
"Dammit," Sasuke said to himself walking outside of town, "Naruto has become stronger than me at every turn. There's no way I can beat him as I am now."
"Would you like some help with that?" came a voice from a tree.
"Who's their?" asked Sasuke pulling out a Kunai.
"Don't worry, we're here to help," said a tall man with black hair and a sound bandana on his forehead, "my name is Kidoumaru, and you are Uchiha Sasuke, correct?"
"What would sound want with me?" asked Sasuke.
"Simple," came a female voice, "We are here to offer you power," a women with long red hair and a sound bandana jumped from the trees, "my name is Tayuya."
"So, will you come with us Sasuke?" asked another man with shoulder length grey hair, "by the way, my name is Sakon."
"Don't forget me," said a fat guy with an orange Mohawk, "the names Jiroubou."
"What does orichimaru gain from me coming?" asked Sasuke.
"Simple, the strongest blood line of Kohona serving under him," Sakon said, "and you gain the power you seek at the cost of your freedom, the same sacrifice we all made."
"And if I refuse?" asked Sasuke, beginning to wonder weather or not he should leave.
"Then we leave you here, wear you are destined to remain weak," Sakon gave a twisted smile, "however abandoning ones village can be a crucial mistake, I'll give you until eleven tonight to decide Sasuke-kun."
"Hn," is all Sasuke said as we walked back to the village.
As soon as Sasuke was gone Tayuya turned to Sakon and said, "You've gotten quite adept at hiding the truth, haven't you?"
"Well if I told him that Orichimaru planned to implant his soul and take over his body Sasuke would never come with us," he said.
"You also failed to tell him even if he didn't want to come we would still take him by force," smiled Kidoumaru, "at least if he refuses I'll get to have some more fun."
"We're not here to play games spider boy," said Tayuya, "this will go much faster if he comes willingly."
It was almost eleven and Sasuke had made his decision. He was going to leave with the sound Ninja. Naruto had shown his strength by beating an opponent far superior to himself. If Orichimaru could indeed make him stronger, Sasuke would go to him.
"So your leaving then?" came a soft voice from behind him.
"What are you doing Sakura?" asked Sasuke.
"I overheard your conversation with those sound Ninja," she said worried, "I was concerned you'd go. You are going, aren't you?"
"I must become stronger," is all Sasuke said in response.
"Why do you have this urge to become strong? What is it your obsessed with doing?" asked Sakura.
"I am an avenger, I must avenge my clan and kill my brother," Sasuke responded.
"So, is there no way to convince you to stay?" asked Sakura.
"No," he replied firmly.
"Then I'll go with you," Sakura said running to his side. Sasuke was caught completely by surprise. He had no response to this, since he also wanted to be with Sakura, "please Sasuke, please allow me to go with you."
After standing in silence for what seemed like hours Sasuke replied, "Thank you Sakura," as the two walked off to meet with the sound Nin.
Ino had heard their entire conversation. She knew she should run and tell the Fifth Hokage, Hayate, ASAP, but couldn't. Sakura had been her friend for as long as she could remember. IF she told now Sakura would surely be killed by the Anbu before she could escape. Several hours later, she reported to the Hokage to explain what she saw.
"So you decided to come after all?" smiled Sakon, "that makes our job much easier."
"Who's your friend?" asked Tayuya ready to attack.
"If I go, she comes with me," Sasuke said glaring at her.
"Don't worry, she seems weak," smiled Jiroubou, "If she attacks she'll be no threat."
"Shut up fatty," Tayuya said.
"Don't call be fat bitch!" he yelled back at her.
"We don't have time for this bickering you two," said Sakon, "we need to make sure Sasuke here can advance to level two."
"What's that?" asked Sasuke.
"You should already have Orichimaru's cursed seal on your neck, when you use it you are only using it at level one," said Kidoumaru, "but if you survive like us you can activate level two."
"And how do I do this?" asked Sasuke.
"You must experience death," smiled Sakon.
Sakura immediately jumped up, "but how can he experience death and live?"
"Simple, all he needs to do is drink this potion," said Tayuya holding a vile full of black fluid.
"Using our barriers we'll then contain him within that round crate over their," said Jiroubou.
"Then we wait until he wakes, if he even wakes at all," smiled Kidoumaru.
"Can I trust your barrier?" asked Sasuke.
"Of course, its our specialty," said Tayuya.
"Fine," said Sasuke grabbing the potion and drinking it. Sakura only cringed, knowing that now Sasuke may never wake up. They quickly threw him in the rate and preformed some seals, using a technique that caused it to glow bright purple. They quickly put some paper seals over the top of the crate, sealing the lid shut.
"Carry the Crate Jiroubou," said Tayuya.
"Why do I have to carry it?" he asked.
"Shut up and quick complaining fat-ass," she said with a convicting tone.
"Shut the hell up," Jiroubou said, grudgingly picking up the crate and following after as they jumped through the trees of Kohona.
Genma, the guy who acted as the final exams ref, Raidou, a Jounin with short brown spiky hair, and Iwasha, a Jounin with black hair short black hair were on their way back from a mission.
"Didn't expect to be out that long," smiled Genma, "We'd best hurry back to the village."
"Hey, there's someone in the area," Iwasha said swiftly looking around, hearing the sound of Shinobi.
"Me and Genma will handle it," said Raidou, "you're the most tired from our mission, so you should take a break."
"Right," smiled Iwasha, "I'll wait here for you then. Be back soon," and with that the other two jumped off towards the sound.
When they arrived there were four enemy sound Ninja with a Crate and Sakura, a fellow leaf Shinobi following behind. They intercepted their path and Genma asked, "What are you four doing here? And what's she doing with you?"
"We're just delivering something to Orichimaru and she was a little bonus we managed to pick up," smiled Kidoumaru, "Looks like we will get to have a little fun."
"Don't take us Kohona Shinobi lightly," smiled Raidou.
"Lets finish this quick," Tayuya smiled as all of their bodies became marked with the markings of the cursed seal. Kidoumaru opened by throwing a kunai, which was intercepted by Genma who spit his toothpick at the Kunai knocking off path.
"Shikamaru," said Hayate with Shikamaru standing in front of him in his office, "I have no time to explain why, but Sasuke is joining with Orichimaru, and Sakura went with them."
"What?" said Shikamaru, "What would prompt him to do so?"
"Irrelevant," Hayate replied, "I'm giving you your first mission. I'd give it too a jounin but none are available right now. You will get as many Genin as you see fit to retrieve Sasuke, and I'd suggest bringing Naruto along. He's recently learned to powerful techniques that will be of assistance in a fight."
"Of the remaining Genin, are Kiba, Lee, Choiji and Shino available?" asked Shikamaru.
"All are available except for Lee, though I suggest you find a replacement for him fast, you'll need it," replied Hayate.
"These conditions are absurd," retorted Shikamaru, "In any scenario it is stacked against us, is their any other way we could do this?"
"No, now I ask you too leave now, we have no time to spare," Hayate said looking regretful, "I am deeply sorry to put this burden on you Shikamaru."
"How troublesome," Shikamaru said running off to gather the Genin.
"What?" Naruto yelled, "How could they do that?"
"I don't know Naruto," Shikamaru said, "but we have to hurry and catch up before they leave fire country."
"Right, who do we need to grab?" asked Naruto.
"I'll go get Shino and Choiji, you go grab Kiba, and do you know any other Genin? Lee is off on a mission, so we need a replacement," said Shikamaru.
"There's that Osaka girl, but if I can't find her Hinata is the only other one I can think of," Said Naruto, not wanting her to come since she was still injured.
"Only get Hinata if you can't get anyone else in fifteen minutes," Shikamaru said, also wanting to avoid dragging Hinata into this right now.
In fifteen minutes they regrouped at the gates, Shikamaru with Choiji and Shino, Naruto with Kiba and Hinata, "So you had to grab her?" asked Shikamaru.
"Sorry Shikamaru," said Naruto.
"I'll try not to be a burden," said Hinata with her head dropped.
"We just didn't want to get you hurt Hinata," said Naruto.
"Cheer up," smiled Kiba, "You'll do fine."
"Arigoto Kiba," said Hinata with a small smile.
"Okay, here's our order," said Shikamaru trying to move this along as fast as he could, "Hinata, with your eyes we'll keep you in the back, your Ideal there for reading a surprise attack from the rear and any traps we come across. I'll go in front of Hinata, that way I can give out orders to all of the ones in front of me easily. Shino is next, with his blood limit he can help keep an eye out from any position and also assist everyone at the same time. Naruto, with your power and speed balance along with the Kage Bushin I'll keep you in the middle, that way you can easily assist all parts of the line like Shino. Next is Choiji, since he has the most brute force of the group he is Ideal to keep there. Kiba will take point using his nose to sniff out anyone close, possibly traps. This is what we have to work with, are you ready?"
"You just barely became Chuunin," Said Kiba with a bit of a rebellious tone, "your also lazy and got the same grades as Naruto, why should we listen to you?"
"He outranks us," said Shino, "That's all the reason we need."
"Don't worry Shikamaru," said Naruto, "You've shown me before your reliable, I believe in you," After NAruto said that everyone smiled and nodded, (Except Shino, you can't see his smile, only the nod).
"Thank you Naruto," said Shikamaru, "Now let us six go get back Sasuke."
"Are you forgetting someone?" asked Kiba followed by Akamaru barking from his head.
"Forgive me," said Shikamaru laughing a little, "Seven," and then the line of Leaf Nin began jumping through the trees after Sasuke.
I'll update as soon as I can. Enjoy the story, and please R&R.