Please forgive me for my lack of comma use. And a special thanks to misses V for pointing it out. I am sure that there are even more flaws in my writing so thank you for being kind enough to spare my easily damaged self-esteem :OP
I thought this chapter would take me longer to write, but it didn't, so here is my new happy new year chapter. Enjoy! :OD
Disclaimer: I am just a fan. I do not own Naruto.
Chapter 13: Heaven and Earth Bridge: Spies, Lies, and Sannin Oh My!
It took a week to reach the bridge. Sai, Sakura and Naruto knelt hidden in the forest just before the bridge as team captain Yamato disguised as Sasori walked to the middle of Heaven and Earth Bridge to rendezvous with the Akatsuki mole.
"Keep your guard up and make sure you do nothing until I give the signal." Yamato reiterated over his portable transmitter.
"Hai," came the teams reply.
Yamato cut his communication short when he spotted the unbroken horizon disturbed by a small dot that steadily grew until a cloaked figure could be seen. Yamato met the spy at the center of the Heaven and Earth Bridge. Sakura was taken aback when she saw that the cloaked figure was Kabuto. Naruto felt as if he knew him but was unable to place the face so Sakura explained to him about Kabuto; Kabuto was the spy planted in Konoha by Orochimaru in a plot to destroy Konoha which failed but not without extracting a heavy toll on the village and of all the trouble Kabuto had caused them in the search for Sasuke.
"It has been five years since last we met. It is good to see you Sasori-sama." said Kabuto.
"Were you followed?" Yamato asked in his best Sasori impersonation.
"No."
"What have you to report on Orochimaru's activities?"
"Sadly, I was not able to retrieve the cell sample you wanted from the body Orochimaru transferred out of before he destroyed it."
"Naruhodo, I have a few questions to ask."
"Could you please keep them brief, I have taken a great risk coming here, if I don't return soon it will probably cost me my life." Kabuto replied.
"What do you know about Orochimaru's hideouts?"
"Orochimaru has multiple hideouts hidden throughout different villages. He moves around every week so his whereabouts remain hidden. Once his spies enter a village they set up his hideouts and when it is time for him to move, he leaves them to run them in his absence. Is that all?"
"No, tell me of Uchiha, Sasuke."
"Uchiha, Sasuke is Orochimaru's most prized possession and rarely leaves Orochimaru's side as Orochimaru is his key to power. Currently, they are located in a hideout on a lake to the North however they will only be there for another three days. Now if you could please give me the item. I must leave now before I am discovered." Kabuto finished holding out his hand.
Knowing he was out of time, Yamato dug into his vest, pulled out a kunai and moved to capture Kabuto when Orochimaru appeared behind Kabuto suddenly.
"What an interesting conversation is it alright if I join?" Orochimaru said as his snake begun wrapping itself around Kabuto who narrowly escaped.
"Thank you Sasori-sama I would not have been able to dodge if you hadn't drawn your Kunai when you did." Kabuto stated graciously before turning and slicing through Yamato's Sasori disguise and arm. Yamato leapt away from Kabuto only to be caught by Orochimaru who yelled "Sen'ei tajashu" (Countless Hidden Shadow Snake Hands), but Yamato was able to escape using his mokuton kawarimi.
"Ku, Ku, Ku, why not call out the three rats you have in hiding?" Orochimaru asked casually.
"He has seen through everything" Yamato thought giving team seven the signal. Sai, Sakura, and Naruto leapt to Yamato's side.
"Ku, Ku, Ku; the Kyuubi brat I was going to go, but seeing you here, I think perhaps I will stay and have a little fun. Come demon brat lets see if you are as strong as Sasuke."
Naruto straightened himself and stepped forward. Sakura began to interject, but Naruto held up his hand stopping her before she could start.
"Naruto," Yamato started in as well but was interrupted by Naruto. "Yamato-sensei, take Sakura and Sai and tend to Kabuto. I will distract Orochimaru as long as I can." Yamato was going to say something more but decided it was pointless seeing the determined look upon Naruto's face and nodded his agreement instead.
"Ha, Ha, Ha" Kabuto laughed mockingly "A wardrobe change can't hide the fact that you are a second rate ninja." Kabuto launched himself forming a chakra scalpel in his right hand and aimed his chakra scalpel for the main arteries of Naruto's heart. Naruto grabbed Kabuto's wrist with his left hand guiding the chakra scalpel away from his heart while thrusting a rasengen into Kabuto's gut with his right sending him flying towards Yamato and the rest of team seven. "Go I will be fine." Naruto said forming Kage Bunshin and preparing for battle.
Orochimaru flashed a crooked grin "Ku, Ku, Ku is that all you have to show me a few Kage Bunshin? " Naruto's Kage Bunshin sprung forward and engaged Orochimaru in close combat. The first went for a leg sweep followed by the second who jumped over him and performed a flying kick. The third with the help of the first leapt into the air tucked his body into cannonball and descended upon Orochimaru with a heel kick. Orochimaru jumped the first clone's leg sweep took the second clone's fly kick on the forearms and allowed the momentum to propel him into a back flip and was caught on the shoulder by the third's heel kick which slammed him into the ground kicking up dust. The three clones circled the dust cloud in defensive postures when Orochimaru immediately barreled out of the dust in retaliation. He delivered an overhand right to the first clone who deflected the punch with his right forearm and countered with a left hand punch which Orochimaru caught in his left hand while simultaneously performing a back kick with his right leg dispelling the second of the clone trio who had attempted to blind side him. The third leapt into the air for another heel kick but was disappointed when Orochimaru broke off from the first clone and rolled backward leaving the third clone's strike to form a small crater where he once stood and directed a leap kick aimed at the center of the clone's upper back in between his shoulder blades; the third clone spun away evading the kick and the first clone countered the move with a flying kick. Leaping over Orochimaru's leg the first clone's foot planted itself squarely in his face. The solid impact sent Orochimaru flying through the trees. Naruto and his clones refusing to let up their attack chased after him.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Yamato and the others found Kabuto unconscious propped up against a tree. His legs were sprawled out and his body was slumped over. It would have looked as if he was taking a nap if not for the visible damage on his stomach left by the rasengen. Sakura approached Kabuto cautiously and knelt down beside him to check for a pulse. She leapt back surprised when Kabuto struck her on the right shoulder with his chakra scalpel severing the ligaments and incapacitating her arm. Yamato sent three shuriken towards Kabuto only to have them deflected by Sai. Before Yamato and Sakura could react to the turn of events, they found themselves bound by Sai's Choju Giga snakes. Kabuto still weakened by the damage inflicted by the rasengen and coughing up blood made his escaped with the help of Sai.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Naruto and his two clones entered a clearing only to find Orochimaru standing as if nothing had happened.
"Ku, Ku, Ku, Ku, I commend you for your decent taijutsu skills brat, but taijutsu alone is not enough to defeat me or Sasuke-kun for that matter what else can you show me," Orochimaru said with calm exhilaration.
Naruto responded with a Katon Goukakyuu no Jutsu (Great fireball technique). Orochimaru did not bother to dodge; instead he used the flames to mask his Sen'ei tajashu. Orochimaru shot through Naruto's fireball releasing his countless snake shadow technique. Naruto performed a back flip capturing Orochimaru's snakes with Ayatsuito no Jutsu (String Reeling Technique). Naruto formed an Oodama Rasengan and hurled himself at Orochimaru, but Orochimaru cut his jutsu short and dodged the super sized rasengan. Naruto landed creating a huge creator; dust flew everywhere as Naruto scanned for Orochimaru and found nothing.
"Ku, Ku, Ku, not bad demon brat, but still not good enough if you expect to defeat Sasuke-kun," Orochimaru hissed as his head flew threw the cloud of debris with Kusanagi drawn, a snakehead protruded from his mouth held the blade. Naruto leapt into the air avoiding Orochimaru's first stab. Through the use of Nan no Kaizō (Soft Physique Modification), Orochimaru pursued him with Kusanagi twisting and stretching his neck. Naruto wrapped Kusanagi with wire and yanked using the momentum he gained to avoid Orochimaru's attack he landed safely on the ground before puling the wire with all his might driving Kusanagi to the ground. Orochimaru bit the snakehead hilt as Kusanagi embedded itself deep within the earth, his neck coiled around it.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sai and Kabuto rushed into the clearing just in time to witness Naruto yanking Orochimaru from the sky. Naruto spun quickly as he heard the approaching steps.
"Sai…," was all Naruto was able to say before Orochimaru ran him through. Kusanagi exploded through his chest heralded by a magnificent spray of blood. Orochimaru lifted Naruto off the ground and Kusanagi extended driving him back onto the other side of Heaven and Earth Bridge. Orochimaru stretched his neck following as far as he could. Reaching his limit, he ordered his body to move closer so he could talk to Naruto without having to yell, Kusanagi's length adjusted with every step.
"Ku, Ku, Ku so easily distracted another reason you cannot defeat Sasuke-kun," Orochimaru said as he secured Naruto to the ground with Kusanagi.
Naruto tried desperately not to give Orochimaru the satisfaction of hearing him scream in agony, but Orochimaru deliberately buried Kusanagi deeper into his flesh, eliciting a single scream to escape his throat. Yamato and Sakura broke through the foliage of the forest in time to witness Orochimaru drive Kusanagi even deeper.
"NARUTO," Sakura screamed as she ran to his side. Yamato transformed his arm into a pillar of wood and sent it after Orochimaru, who withdrew Kusanagi from Naruto and fell back, avoiding Yamato's wood arm pillar technique.
"I see you are still alive, no matter, I am done playing," Orochimaru said as he withdrew. Yamato quickly formed a Moku Bunshin no jutsu (Wood clone) and sent it to follow him. Sakura knelt beside Naruto and began administering chakra to heal his wound, but she could not close the wound fast enough and he bled to death before her eyes. She yelled for Captain Yamato to assist her with stopping the blood flow, while she administered CPR in an attempt to kick start his heart. "Please, don't die Naruto. You still have promises to keep, so please don't die," she whispered frantically as tears escaped her eyes.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Naruto felt light as a feather when he found himself before the cage of the Kyuubi. His mindscape had begun to crumble and darken, save for a pinpoint of light that steadily grew bigger. The Kyuubi growled angrily at him.
"Weak, foolish, boy, I refuse to die here with you in such a pathetic display!"
The Kyuubi's chakra burst forth, rattling the gates which imprisoned him.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sakura and Yamato were thrown ten feet away from Naruto; he was encased completely by the Kyuubi's chakra. Unable to approach Naruto, because of the intense heat generated by the Kyuubi's chakra, Sakura and Yamato watched and waited. Inside the chakra dome, Naruto's eyes shot open; a monstrous roar escaped his throat, clearing the animals from the nearby forest. The wound dealt to him by Orochimaru, faded away, replaced by a combination of blood and demonic chakra, as Naruto began to change. The passage of time eked by slowly as Sakura and Yamato waited; the chakra which encased Naruto finally began to crack, both were shocked and horrified by what they saw as the chakra sphere fell away.
A small four tailed Kyuubi fixed his gaze upon them and roared. Yamato stared at the miniature Kyuubi and thought, "Such a sad and lonely existence to be Jinchuuriki." The Kyuubi shot forth with blinding speed. Sakura was unable to react when the Kyuubi appeared before her; he slashed at Sakura's right arm, inflicting a deep gash. Yamato ran forward forming hand signs and slapped the Kyuubi on the back, "Hokage Shiki Jijun Jutsu: Kakuan Nitten Suishu," he cried, leaping back and away from Naruto with Sakura. A chakra string connected from his hand to the miniature Kyuubi's back appeared, and wooden pillars shot up surrounding him. The miniature Kyuubi clutched his head in his hands, lifted it, and roared to the sky in agony; his roar gave way to Naruto's scream as Yamato's jutsu forced the Kyuubi to relinquish his hold over Naruto.
Naruto fell to the ground unconscious. Sakura ran to his side and knelt down to check his vitals. She was astounded to find the mortal wound completely healed, horrified to find half of the top layer of his skin missing, and relieved to find a steady pulse and the damaged area of his skin slowly healing. She helped to heal his skin faster, by adding her own healing chakra to the affected areas. Once all Naruto's wounds had been tended to, Sakura tended to the gash in her arm. Her wound was about sixty percent healed when Naruto stirred.
"What is going on, where is Orochimaru," Naruto asked as he sat up. Woozy from the sudden movement, he laid back down. Remembering the wound inflicted on him by Kusanagi, Naruto started examining his body, frantically searching for the mortal wound.
"Relax" Yamato said "The Kyuubi healed the wound Orochimaru gave you when he took control, but he left you knew ones which Sakura helped to mend."
"Thank you Sakura-chan. What happened to your arm?"
"Oh it is nothing….,"
"You did it when you transformed into the Kyuubi," Yamato said interrupting Sakura before she could down play it.
"Yamato sensei, why did you…"
Yamato turned and faced Sakura cutting her off again, "Sakura, this is not something you can save Naruto from; lying to him does no good."
Naruto stared horrified by what he had done to his team mate and friend.
"It is a small price to pay for your life," Sakura said, to ease his suffering. "If it weren't for your transformation you would have been dead."
"I'll definitely bring Sasuke back! It is the promise of a life time!" the promise he made so long ago came unbidden into her mind as the sadness and pain held with in his deep blue eyes seared her heart.
"It might have been better that way," Naruto said in a soft tone, turning his head away from Sakura.
"I guess you will need to train harder, and become stronger, so this situation doesn't happen again," Yamato said loudly, drowning out his words so Sakura would not hear. "We better get moving, if we are going to reach Orochimaru hideout before he evacuates."
"And how are we going to do that" Sakura asked in a defeated tone. "We don't even know which way he went."
"Wrong, I sent a clone to follow him while we dealt with Naruto. You didn't see because you were distracted at the time," Yamato said, reigniting the spark of determination in Sakura's eyes.
Naruto shakily stood and began to walk against Sakura's protest. "Naruto you need to rest!"
"This mission is about Sasuke and Orochimaru, not me, besides, I am fine." Naruto said as he turned and walked off ending any further objections.
Next Time: Chapter 14: Reunion: Hey, Sasuke Were Have You Been Hiding!