Only one more day! Not much to say now at the moment since I'm mega busy, so here's the chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Kidoumaru noticed a glowing as he leapt from a branch coming from his young prisoner. The light was faint, but still suspicious. Once the glowing subsided, the girl woke up, much to his surprise. "Awake again?"

Midori glared at him hatefully. "You guys won't get away with this. The Konoha team will be here soon and take you down!"

"Put Sleeping Beauty back to sleep!" Sakon ordered. "We don't need her input!"

"Yeah, yeah."

Midori narrowed her eyes as Kidoumaru raised his hand again. Not this time. Just as his hand was about to thrust down, a thin barrier of light flowed around Midori's head and neck-area.

"What the hell?" Kidoumaru said, surprised. "Some kind of force field?"

Yes…it's hard, but I can still put up a shield without using my hands, Midori thought.

"What's the matter, Kidoumaru?" Sakon said as he jumped back next to him. "Can't knock out a meager girl?"

"Shut up!" Kidoumaru ordered. "She's got some kind of jutsu!"

Sakon glanced at Midori for a second. "Well, if she won't go to sleep, she won't. Looks like you'll just have to deal with her conscious." When Kidoumaru gave him a dirty look, he smiled innocently. "Just thought you didn't want the trouble of her being awake, that's all."

"I don't," Kidoumaru said, staring down at Midori. "I don't know what Orochimaru-sama wants with her."

"It's not of our concern, but I'm curious too," Sakon said.

"She doesn't look special," Tayuya snorted. "Not strong at all. No wonder it was so easy to capture her."

Midori averted her eyes from the Sound Team, feeling more and more inferior by the second. Why had it been so easy for them to capture her? She knew she may not be the strongest of her team, but she always thought that she had been improving fairly well. But how long had it taken for them? A few seconds...a minute and a half at best, she realized. Am I…really that weak?

At that moment, Jiroubo came up from behind, following the others.

"What took you so long?" Sakon questioned.

"Sorry. It took longer than I thought to take away their chakra."

"You fatty," Tayuya mocked, holding out the coffin. "Hurry up and carry the coffin, that's your job. You inferior d—"

Midori tuned Tayuya out. These guys…are so vulgar…she thought.

"Yeah…" Jiroubo answered.

"You're so obedient today…" Kidoumaru said suspiciously.

"What?"

"Don't give him the coffin, Tayuya," Kidoumaru ordered. "Cuz he's not Jiroubo!"

Jiroubo cursed under his breath.

"I'll take care of this," Kidoumaru said. "You guys go on ahead." Just as he was about to pass Midori onto Sakon, Jiroubo appeared in front of Kidoumaru in an attempt to land a punch atop his head.

Kidoumaru quickly stopped the attack with two arms, holding onto Midori with the others. "Jiroubo always warned Tayuya about her language," he said muffled, his mouth sounding full.

"I see…" A cloud of smoke burst and Shikamaru stood in Jiroubo's place.

"Shikamaru-kun!" Midori gasped.

"You stay here!" Kidoumaru shouted as he threw the Konoha kunoichi to the side and spitting out a strand of web, pinning her securely to a tree.

"Ninpou! Kumo Shibari!"

Instantly, Shikamaru went flying, the force of Kidoumaru's web pushing him against the trunk of a tree. Kidoumaru whirled around as he sensed another's presence behind him and ducked just as a blade crossed above his head.

"This time I won't miss!" Nami claimed as she made a swinging motion towards the Sound ninja.

Kidoumaru hopped backwards and shot another string of web towards Nami.

"Fire Style: Firebird no Jutsu!" Nami shouted as she cut a design through the air with her blade. As the visual formed into a fiery bird, it flew towards the web with frightening speed. The two attacks collided, fighting for the ability to break forward. Suddenly, the firebird extinguished.

"W-What?!" Nami exclaimed as the web stuck her to a tree as well.

"Stupid girl, you can't break my web with fire!" Kidoumaru mocked.

"How about I break you instead?!"

Kidoumaru darted to the side as Kyoko shot by out of nowhere. Kyoko turned in midair towards Kidoumaru and threw several kunai and shuriken. Kidoumaru dodged the weapons then followed the girl with his eyes. Kyoko had landed on a trunk and launched off of it, aiming to use some old-fashioned taijutsu on the older nin. Kidoumaru caught her fist and swung her into a lower branch. Kyoko attempted to move, but found that she was stuck to the tree. "Crap!"

"Too easy!"

Just then, several figures appeared overhead, ambushing the spider-like ninja.

"Don't underestimate me!" Kidoumaru barked as he spat a glob of web into his six arms. "Ninpou! Kumo Soukai!" Kidoumaru jumped upwards, the web morphing together to create a giant spider web with the master holding the ends. Like flies, the Narutos tumbled into the trap, weighing the large spider web Kidoumaru had created down.

"Gatsuuga!"

Two gray whirlwinds shot at Kidoumaru who was airborne. They sliced towards the Sound nin, however with a slight turn, he was able to dodge the deadly assault.

Kiba screeched to a stop. "You think I'll let you escape?!"

"That's exactly what I was gonna tell you," Kidoumaru smirked. "Look at your feet."

Kiba then noticed the same sticky substance that Kyoko was trapped in on his feet and found he was unable to move.

Kiba cursed loudly. "Don't think you've caught us!"

"Keep whining, loser," Kidoumaru said confidently as he hung upside-down. Then he noticed the smirk on Kiba's face. His eyes widening in realization, he cut the strings tied to four of his arms and turned right-side up, dodging Neji's attack just in the nick of time. Kidoumaru blew another glob of web into his hands and threw his hands towards Neji, creating another web.

"No!" Midori screamed. Everyone's trapped…this isn't good…it can't be…

"I'm gonna cocoon you here!" Kidoumaru proclaimed as he wove his arms around. Surely, a cocoon formed around Neji, sealing him from anything and everything.

"NEJI!"

"Damn it!" Naruto shouted. "Why can't I cut it?!"

"Weren't you listening when Miss Pyromaniac did that jutsu?" Kidoumaru said, amused. "If fire can't burn my web, what makes you think your simple kunai can cut it?" He seemed to be chewing something then stuck all of his fingers into his mouth. "Kage bunshin, huh? Interesting…" He pulled out several strings of golden web and said, "Ninpu Kumonekin!" He clenched his teeth, separating the golden strands from his mouth. The web in his hands started to harden, turning into six solid spikes. "Let's play a little game…" Kidoumaru said. "I'll find the real body! First one's at the end!" He tossed one spike aimed at said Naruto. As soon as it pierced Naruto, the whiskered boy disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Naruto-kun won't be safe much longer… Midori thought anxiously.

"Pst. Midori."

"Kyoko?"

Kyoko grinned cheesily and gave Midori the peace sign. "Hey."

"What…how?" Midori whispered.

"What the—?!" came Kidoumaru's surprised shout as the last Naruto blew up into smoke.

Midori gasped as Naruto came soaring down towards Kidoumaru and connected a forceful punch on the Sound ninja. Then she saw where Kyoko should have been. The space was vacant. "…Wha…?"

"I was a kage bunshin that Naruto made that used Henge and transformed into me and I was just hiding out for the right moment to rescue you while the other group of Naruto kage bunshin distracted Spiderman without the real Naruto who was also hiding out!" Kyoko explained victoriously.

"…O…kay…"

"Now let's try to get you out…" Kyoko said, making a hand seal.

Meanwhile, Kidoumaru had recovered from Naruto's punch and was on a thick branch on all fours—er, eights. He thrust some of his arms in a direction and soon, Naruto went flying once more with strings attached.

"Not even a Deflection no Jutsu will work?!" Kyoko exclaimed a little too loudly.

"Eh?" Kidoumaru turned around and noticed Kyoko. "Trying to escape?! Well try this!" He swung his other arms and shot a strand of web towards Kyoko as well.

"Kyoko, move!" Midori ordered.

Suddenly, a figure repelled the string then sliced through the web cocoon Midori was trapped in like paper.

"Neji!" Midori exclaimed as she broke free of her prison.

"You…" Kidoumaru growled. "How did you…?"

"Your web's made from chakra," Neji explained. "And things made from chakra can be destroyed by simply putting chakra into it. It's meaningless in front of my Juuken."

Kidoumaru narrowed his eyes as the other Konoha nin appeared on the same branch as Neji, Kyoko, and Midori.

"It looks like I'm the only one who can deal with this guy's jutsu," Neji said as he turned to the others. "Go. I'll take care of him."

Everyone stared at him, shocked.

"This guy's stronger than the fatty we fought before," Kiba protested. "Much more stronger…"

"We said that if we didn't each fight our own opponent it'd be rough, right?" Neji argued.

"Yes…that's exactly right…" Shikamaru said difficulty.

"And besides…" Neji said seriously. "If you stop here…you won't be able to catch up to Sasuke." Neji glanced and Naruto, then closed his eyes. "Naruto…you have better eyes than I do."

Naruto looked at him with slight confusion.

"Sasuke is currently…within the darkness." He was silent for a moment, then said in a more forceful tone, "Hurry up and go! I'll catch up with you guys later!"

Naruto nodded. "Yeah."

"Okay, let's go," Shikamaru said.

"Chouji will definitely catch up to us too!" Kiba added.

"Don't take too long," Kyoko warned.

"Kick this guy's butt!" Nami said.

The four of them continued the journey, leaving only Midori and Neji.

Kidoumaru spit out more web from his mouth, determined not to let the others escape. Neji pushed Midori behind him, then held his arms up as the web passed by, some parts knocking against his own body. He narrowed his eyes then jumped in the air, spinning. The web broke, stopping the strands from going after the others.

"You go too, Midori!" Neji said, looking back at her. "I can handle it!"

Midori just shook her head.

Neji's brow furrowed as he noticed the look in her eyes. He saw sadness, distress, and uncertainty deep within her irises. It seemed like she was about to…

Cry.

"Midori, what's wrong?"

"I'm not going to leave you, Neji," Midori said quietly.

"I'll be fine," Neji insisted.

"No you won't," Midori shook her head and looking down. "You'll be gravely injured. I don't want that to happen."

"You seem so sure of this. Are you unconfident about my abilities, or—"

"It's not that!"

Neji was a bit surprised at the tone of her voice.

"I know what's going to happen!" Midori blurted.

"…What…" Neji said, shocked.

"You'll be on the brink of dying, Neji!" Midori shouted, tears streaming down her face. "I don't want that to happen! Let me help you!"

"How do you…"

"Neji, my friends and I…we know what's going to happen," Midori said, her words running more quickly. "We come from a different world and we know what will happen. I know you're going to get hurt badly. I want to help you. I…please…"

"What are you saying?" Neji said, his mind clouding more and more every second. "That's…I don't understand…"

"Just trust me," Midori pleaded. "Neji…"

Neji whirled around and deflected a shot of web that had been hurling towards them.

"Hey, you two!" Kidoumaru called. "Don't act as if I'm not here! You seem like the strongest of those guys, so how about we play a little bit? Let's say…three minutes. Then I'll kill you." A twisted smile contorted on his face.

Neji activated Byakugan. "Okay, I'll believe you for now, Midori. Just be ready and follow any orders I give you."

Midori took a deep breath and nodded. "Right."

Kidoumaru started blasting multiple groups of web at the pair.

Neji placed a hand on the branch and dodged several while Midori leapt into the air out of the way of the attack. Suddenly, a web finally connected and pinned him down.

"Neji!" Midori called as she jumped down, spinning around gracefully and creating a force field in front of the Hyuuga. The barrier stopped some of the web in midair, making them drop onto the branch a few ways away.

"So you expel chakra too, huh? I thought so," Kidoumaru said. "But you're not as skilled as that guy over there. Your chakra is 'flat'." He shot more webs towards them.

There are too many! Midori thought as her hands flew through the air in front of her. I can't— Suddenly, a web shot towards her feet, tripping her forward and clinging to her legs. She struggled to get up, but the substance stuck. Come on, Midori. You can do this. Expel your chakra, just like Neji. You can do this…

"Now that both of you are disabled, there won't be anymore problems," Kidoumaru claimed as he jumped in their direction. "As soon as a strategy's figured out, the game gets boring. It's only been a minute, how sad. I'm already bored with you so…" His cheeks bulged. "DIE!"

Midori struggled harder, but something stopped her. This chakra… She closed her eyes. Neji's chakra… As Midori concentrated, her crystal started to glow. Suddenly, her legs spread apart, breaking the web, a faint yellowish green aura around them. She quickly fell into a kneeling position then shot up into the air, seeing a sharp golden weapon pass beneath her toward Neji. Half a second later, she saw pieces of web being thrown off of the Hyuuga by the force of his chakra. A quick smile formed under her nose. Yes! She landed on the hardened piece of sharp web and made a hand sign.

Kidoumaru was shocked. "What—?!" He started backing up, but Midori quickly drew a line in the air and caught him with whip-like chakra. Neji appeared momentarily in a familiar stance. "I'll let you in on a little secret," Neji said, glancing up at Kidoumaru with his Byakugan eyes. "It's not just my hands…I can emit chakra from every chakra opening in my body…and by the way…Its game over for you."

Midori snapped the whip back as Neji called out, "Hakke Rokujyu Yonshou!" The Hyuuga genius continued to attack the Kidoumaru relentlessly, ending on a powerful "ROKUJYU YONSHOU!"

Kidoumaru cried out in pain as he was forced through a large tree. A loud explosion sounded and Neji landed on a lower branch, his breath heavy.

"Good job, Neji!" Midori praised as she landed next to him. Her smile quickly straightened. Wait a minute…

As the dust cleared, a hazy figure started to distinguish. When Midori was able to see the figure completely clearly, she gasped, horrified.

Golden skin…? Neji thought.

Kidoumaru was still alive, looking as menacing as ever. A golden shell-like armor covered his skin, but then started to crack. The pieces gradually fell off, revealing the spider's smirk. "That was a close one. I heard that anyone struck by the Gentle Fist Style would have their chakra network sealed, disabling the use of chakra. That was a narrow escape."

"How monstrous," Neji said. "It seems like its not just your mouth…"

Kidoumaru smirked. "My Kumo-Nenkin is a form of metal that instantly solidifies once it touches the air, blocking all chakra. Also, I can emit it not just from my mouth, but from every sweat gland of my body."

Even if Neji tries to attack him with Hakke Rokujyu Yonshou, it wouldn't affect him, Midori thought. But if we team up and I restrain him from using his technique… Suddenly Kidoumaru disappeared and a projectile was hurling towards her and Neji, a kunai with an explosive note on it.

She jumped back instinctively, but then saw tens of shuriken being thrown toward Neji. It's a fake?! She leapt into the air, and whirled around, waving her hands that glowed brightly. She deflected the shuriken and landed some feet away from Neji. Almost as suddenly, another round of kunai attacked. Now it was Neji who spun around, using Kaiten to protect himself. As Neji turned to a stop, he threw a kunai in a direction.

"I know where you're hiding," Neji announced. "So why don't you just come out?"

Midori tensed as Kidoumaru came into view, upside-down. "Fine. I must admit this game is pretty difficult to beat. So I'll play seriously now," he said.

The curse marks! Midori thought, alarmed.

Kidoumaru created a spider web, made several hand seals, then touched the web with one hand shouting, "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"

As the smoke from the summoning cleared, Midori felt as if several cold fingers had run down her spine. She shivered.

A gargantuan spider sat on a large web with Kidoumaru hanging from it, and only one thought was running through Midori's mind. Spiderspiderspiderspiderspider! EEEEWW!

Neji glanced at Midori out of the corner of his eye and noticed her sudden anxiety and remembered an event that happened a while ago.

Flashback

"EEK!"

"What is it?!" Neji said, alarmed.

"Sp-sp-spa-spa-spider!" Midori shrieked as she grabbed onto Neji's arm roughly. "Kill it, Neji! PLEASE!"

Neji raised an eyebrow at her and squished the spider with his finger, then wiped it off on a napkin. "There."

Midori sighed with relief with a relaxed look on her face. "Thank you."

"You're really that scared of spiders?"

Midori flushed. "Well…um…a little bit…"

Neji raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Really…?"

"What's that tone?!"

"Nothing. It's nothing."

"You're so mean, Neji."

"Perhaps. But I'm the one who killed the spider."

Midori giggled.

End Flashback

"Midori, are you all right?" Neji said to the girl next to him.

"Y-Yeah…I-I'm fine," Midori said shakily.

"So you're afraid of spiders…" Kidoumaru said, amused. "Then this'll go good both ways…of course, I'm not allowed to kill you or anything, but it doesn't mean I can't scare you…or injure you a little for that matter. Have fun, you two, because this will be your last fight."

R&R please!

-HM

-6/3/07 I fixed the problem with the paragraph repeats! Sorry about that, must've been kind of confusing...but it's all good now!