Naruto sprinted at top speed through the forest of death. Three days have come and passed since the start of the exam and Naruto was shadowing several teams, and so far nothing out of the ordinary has happened. Hinata's team had finished earlier that day and now he was making sure that Shikamaru's team made it. He needed those two to at least get to the finals. Naruto was having a pretty boring day, when an explosion erupted throughout the forest. Naruto cursed to himself as he drew nearer to the explosion that rocked the forest. He glanced around to see that a giant path was cut through the trees, made by something extremely large. Naruto jumped down when his eyes caught the sight of blood. Naruto landed and walked over towards what looked like the mauled piece of a human arm. It had been ripped from the shoulder and looked to be shredded by some sort of fang. Naruto knelt down to take a closer look. It was a fresh kill and the predator couldn't have made it too far.

Naruto stood and looked around the trees once more before his suit's sensors went haywire. He jumped back as a giant snake lunged from behind him, snapping its large jaws at him. Naruto flipped in midair and launched a series of kunai at the snake. The Kunai bounced off the tough exterior scales as the snake streaked by and disappeared in the tree line again. Naruto landed in the middle of the small clearing and listened. The snake slowly moved around him, just staying out of his vision, but was making an extreme amount of noise. This was the predator that attacked who's ever arm that was. Naruto turned and slowly pulled out his Tanto.

Training with the Black Hand had its perks; one was the ability to use a multitude of weapons. The down side, Naruto found out, that in the ninja world weapons and stealth will get you far, but Ninjutsu will sure as hell keep you ahead of the game. Naruto had Anko-nee teaching him numerous amounts of techniques during their training, but he was still behind the curb of some of these bad guys. His single greatest technique was the Shadow Clone. Naruto never used Ninjutsu's unless he was in a dire situation. He never wanted to give away his position or the like when he was gallivanting in the night.

"Shit," Naruto hissed as the snake's tail whipped out towards him. Naruto jumped in the air and slashed out with his tanto. The sword cut into the tail, but not much before the tail switched directions and slapped him towards a tree. Naruto quickly recovered his bearings in time to flip himself towards the tree and landed on it. Naruto glanced up in time to see the snake's jaws snapping towards. Venom and saliva dripping from the fangs as it continued its attack.

Naruto made a cross sign and several clones appeared and jumped towards the snake. Naruto jumped back and watched as the snake quickly dispatched the clones before it turned towards Naruto. That was when Naruto knew it was no ordinary snake. Naruto jumped higher into the tree to gain some distance before he commenced his attack. There was only one person who could summon snakes, sides from Anko-nee, and if he was here then he was after something…or someone.

"You're no ordinary snake are you?" Naruto asked as he launched himself towards its snapping jaws. Naruto smirked as he channeled chakra into his tanto. The Tanto began to glow a light blue and hum with energy. Naruto slashed out with his right hand, his ninja wire wrapping around the snake's head, cutting deep into the scales and snapping its jaw shut. A mist of blood erupted from the wire as Naruto pulled it tighter and in doing so propelling himself faster towards the Snake. Naruto's tanto slashed out cutting cleanly through the base of the head severing it from the body. Naruto landed in a crouch as the head slammed into the ground behind him and the body landed in front of him. Blood dripped from his sword as he gave it a quick flick and sheathed it along his back. He made two clones and nodded to them as they disappeared in a swirl of leaves.

"Now that's what I call art," Anko exclaimed to no one as she admired her skill of throwing toothpicks. She created a very detailed picture of a certain leaf chunnin.

"Nee-san," whispered a voice from behind her. She didn't turn but kept staring at her art. "I believe a snake has made its way into your woods."

"W-what?" She hissed back as she turned to see Naruto. She did a double take and noticed he was a clone. "Where is the original?"

"Went on ahead to see what he could do," The clone said with a bow. The stream of curses that flew from Anko's mouth could make a sailor blush as she launched herself into the forest like a woman possed. The clone followed at a distance knowing he couldn't be seen with her if ANBU showed up.

"Went on ahead," She whispered to herself. "Iruka-kun will kill me if he gets hurt. DAMNIT! You clone, deliver this message. 'DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT ENGAGING! WAIT FOR BACK-UP!', got it!"

"Um ho…" The clone started but was cut off as a kunai embedded itself in his forehead.

"Fuck," Naruto mumbled as he got the memories back. Telling Anko about his duel identity may have been beneficial for training, but not when she got all motherly. Naruto jumped out of the way of a fire jutsu that Orochimaru launched at him. "A little late."

"You are talking to yourself now?" Ororchimaru asked as he tilted his head. "I have to say that this has been entertaining and all, but I've completed my task and now I must be…Ugh…"

"Shut up!" Naruto hissed. Naruto had appeared before him in a flash and punched him in the gut then quickly spun around him and elbowed him in the back of his neck. Orochimaru's body exploded into a mud clone as it slammed into a tree. Orochimaru appeared on the other side of the tree and turned towards the masked man who stood before him. Naruto was too late. Whatever Orochimaru had planned involved the last Uchiha. He marked him with a new seal and now the boy was being carried away by Sakura. Sasuke didn't look good, as he was paler than usual and shaking violently when Naruto arrived. Naruto arrived as Orochimaru went to finish off Sakura. He blocked the strike and was able to get in a couple of good sucker punches as well. Sakura took that moment to flee with Sasuke. Not glancing back once at her savior.

"Who are you?" Orochimaru asked as he rubbed his neck. "Those techniques and styles. I've fought someone like you before…Black Hand!"

"You will die here today Orochimaru," Naruto said as he readied his Tanto. Orochimaru started to chuckle, then it turned into a full on evil laugh. Naruto's eyes narrowed as he stared at him. He was stalling for some reason.

"You think you can kill me?" Orochimaru asked as his sword erupted from his mouth. Orochimaru appeared before Naruto, slashing out with the sword. Naruto managed to dodge the strike and counter with one of his own which was quickly parried. Orochimaru lunged forward towards Naruto's head. Naruto waited for the last moment before he dodged the blade and slashed out with his. Orochimaru was cut across the chest where he started to bleed profusely. Naruto went to finish him, but Orochimaru jumped back out of his range. They were high above the forest now each on different trees staring at each other.

"You have skill with a blade," Orochimaru said with a smirk as he touched his wound. "Too bad you won't be long for this world. It only takes a cut with this blade. And you have just received one…"

"What?" Naruto asked as he suddenly felt very dizzy. Naruto reached up and touched his exposed cheek and felt blood slowly fall from a small cut. "You bastard!"

"Oh now tell me how you really feel!" Orochimaru said with glee as he turned and fled the field. Naruto went to follow, but fell from his tree towards the ground. He almost hit the ground when he was caught by a flash of Indigo.

"You better not even think about dying!" Whispered the young girl as she dragged him to a small cave under one of the trees. Naruto's conscious faded as he passed out in her arms. "You already owe me three years prior to this; I can't lose you again damnit."

"You seem different," Said a voice from behind her. Hinata whipped around her bloodline flaring. "Easy there, we share a mutual friend."

"Shikamaru!" Hissed Hinata. Hinata was too pissed to try and keep up with her appearance as being weak and hopeless. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing," Shikamaru said as he walked out of the shadows with his hands raised. "You seem to have lost your stuttering problem. Is Naruto ok?"

"How do you…" Hinata started but Shikamaru just waved her off.

"I know a lot more than I let on," Shikamaru said as he pulled out three vials. "He sent a clone ahead to get me. Said the snake was in the forest and didn't know what he was after. I thought that with said snake some Anti-venom that I packed would prove useful. So I am here to help. It looks like poisoning to me."

"Yes but something is wrong," Hinata said as she stared at Naruto with her bloodline. "His chakra is flaring red."

"What could that mean?" Shikamaru asked.

"It means that you brats better let me have him so I can hide him before the ANBU get here," Said a voice from behind them. They turned to see Anko staring at them with a mad look in her eye.

"I-I'm s-sorry…"Hinata started with her appearance.

"Drop the shit and help me get him out of here," Anko yelled. "Yes I know who you are and you too Nara. Nara return to your team. Hinata, I know you guys have finished your test already and you slipped out to spy on lover-boy here, so you're with me. You're my eyes. We need to dodge all ANBU and meet a friend at the south gate. Let's go!"

"So," Naruto said as he walked in the sewer that was his mind. "This is where it is."

"MY JAILOR FEELS THE NEED TO SPEAK WITH ME," Said a deep thunderous voice from down the hall. Naruto approached what looked like a large cage. On the inside was a giant fox that opened a lazy eye to look at the approaching boy.

"Kyubi-sama," Naruto said as he bowed politely. That caught the Kyubi off guard as it lifted its head a bit. "Why am I here?"

"YOU SEEM TO BE EITHER IN A LOT OF PAIN OR CLOSE TO DYING ON THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR MIND," Kyubi answered as he looked at his jailor. "I SENSE A LOT OF TOXINS IN YOUR BLOOD. I'M SLOWLY PUMPING CHAKRA INTO YOUR SYSTEM TO STOP THE SPREAD AND KILL THE TOXINS."

"Thank you Kyubi-sama," Naruto said as he sat down on a chair that appeared out of thin air. "Why haven't I awaken yet?"

"IT IS GOING TO TAKE A WHILE," Kyubi answered as its' tails waved behind him. "SO SIT TIGHT, YOU'RE IN GOOD HANDS. THE THEIF SAVED YOU AND NOW THE SNAKE LADY IS TAKING YOU HOME."

"Great," Naruto mumbled. "Now she's going to kill me. I blame Shikamaru for everything. That bastard took his sweet ass time getting here. Well then, since I'm stuck here for a bit I guess I can ask you a few questions."

"GREAT…" Kyubi sighed as Naruto began to question him.

"I hope Sauske-kun is ok," Sakura said to herself as she watched over him. Sauske finally stopped shaking and was slowly residing the fever.

"I hope for your sake he is!" Yelled a voice from across her hiding spot. Sakura spun and tossed a kunai towards the voice but the man caught it with a chuckle. He was sporting a sound headband and a scarf around his neck. He smiled down at Sakura with lust filled eyes. "You are what this pathetic village passes off as kunoichi? Worthless!"

"Let me take her," Said another voice. Stepping forwards was a girl with long black hair as she raised three senbon in each hand.

"Just make it quick," Said the hunched over man with a gauntlet on his arm. His head was wrapped only reviling his eyes. "We have work to do."

Sakura's next ten minutes was hell as she was beaten to a bloody pulp then tossed back to where Sauske should have been laying. The three sound genin looked around for the missing body only for them to hear a maniac chuckle above them. They looked up to see Sasuke doubled over, laughing as if he was watching the most amusing show on earth. He was shadowed and they could only make out his outline, but his actions were clear as day. He was enjoying the show that the Sound Genin were putting on.

"OH HOHOHO HEEHHEEHEHE," Sauske wheezed out between breaths. Sakura turned her head towards him and smiled a bloodied smile. "Oh wow great show! I must say you are truly great at what you do!"

"Sauske-kun," She yelled out. "You're ok!"

"What are you talking about?" Yelled Kin slightly taken aback at what he was laughing about. She was feeling something she only felt around Orochimaru when he was feeling adventurous in his experiments.

"Oh I like the fire in you," Sauske said as he finally controlled himself a bit and focused entirely on her. Zaku and Dosu stepped in front of her blocking his view. "OH HO! Protective are we? I like that…I like that a lot…makes me want it even more."

In a flash Sauske appeared in front of the two boys. Sauske quickly dispatched Zaku by cutting his throat and spraying his blood into the air and soaking himself in the process. Dosu and Kin reacted by quickly tossing a series of Kunai towards Sauske. Sauske grabbed the limp body of Zaku and used it as a meat shield as the Kunai imbedded themselves in their comrades chest.

Sauske started to dance in circles with Zaku's body as his partner as he hummed his own, sick, off tone version of a waltz. The entire time the sick show was going on, Dosu and Kin were tossing kunai and senbon into their dead comrade who always appeared in time to save the creep. Dosu was fuming as he charged forward with his gauntlet poised to strike. Sauske spun his 'partner' towards Dosu who caught Zaku's body. Zaku's head, hanging on by a thread, flopped forwards and Dosu shrieked as two kunai with explosive tags were slammed into his eyes. Dosu tried to get out of the way, but was too late as he was blasted away and into a tree. Sasuke smirked as he walked into the light and Sakura gasped. He was covered head to toe in blood, his hair was matted and globed together giving him an insane, just got electrocuted but enjoyed it look. She wasn't scared from that, no what scared her was his smile. He walked over to a stunned Kin and grabbed her by her hair. He dragged her over to the clearing and tossed her next to Sakura. Sakura pushed herself up to her knees and looked across to Kin who was whimpering in fear as Sauske walked over to Dosu who was groaning in pain. Dosu seemed to be missing a couple of limbs and was struggling to regain consciousness.

"OH dear boy I believe this is your arm!" Sauske yelled with a maniac voice as he picked up a severed arm that was laying on the floor. He held it forwards as if extending a hand to help him up. "Here let me give you hand. Hahaha get it! Oh I kill myself!"

Dosu gapped at him before Sauske dragged him over to the clearing as well. Sauske smiled down at Dosu as he scratched his chin with Dosu's severed arm. Sauske seemed to be contemplating something of extreme importance when an idea hit him.

"Oh Ho! Sometimes I'm just too brilliant for my own good," Exclaimed Sauske as he slapped Dosu with his severed hand on the back. "Let's see here, yes three of you and only one of me. I will give you each an opportunity to become my right hand man! What do you say? Oh wait you can't can you lefty? You lost your right arm, see it's right here! Hehe haha, Oh I had no idea how funny I truly was! Oh well that leaves you two pigeons doesn't it."

Sakura looked at him confused as she watched Sauske turn towards Dosu and pull out a Kunai. He tilted his head to the side as he smirked down at the poor Genin. Sauske slowly slipped the blade into his mouth and smiled.

"You should really smile more," Sauske said with a smirk that seemed to be plastered on his face. "Here let me help!"

"Oh I crack myself up sometimes!" Sauske said as he turned from the mutilated body of Dosu who was groaning in pain. He tossed the Kunai between Kin and Sakura and smiled as he sat down on Dosu's chest. He rubbed his hands together in front of him as his sick grin grew wider. "Now, who really wants to be my right hand?"

Kin and Sakura's eyes went from the blade to each other's. Kin's eyes reflected everything she was feeling. Fear beyond measure. Just who the hell was this…why was he so….demented….crazy….he wasn't thinking. This had to be a joke of some kind.

Sakura's eyes shattered, everything she thought was right was gone as she slowly leaned forward. Kin's reaction was to shriek and fall back as Sakura slowly stood, blood dripping from her earlier wounds. She slowly leaned forward and picked up the Kunai. Sauske started to laugh uncontrollably as he watched the scene play out…

"You got it Mr. S!" She said as she lunged forward.

Hola Everyone!

Well i hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, i got to introduce another great bad guys. IF you can't guess who it is...pm me and i can hit you on the head with a frying pan...Just kidding...or am I? As always my many thanks go out to everyone who reviewed. You guys have no idea how awesome it is to get those words of encouragement! You guys rock! As always please Read, Review and most of all Enjoy!

Thanks again!

Take-It-Easy