Hello everybody, and welcome back to chapter thirty-seven, of the Winds of Change. Sorry for the delay! I generally try and get a chapter up every Monday now, but my little sister has been terribly ill, and she's been up a lot during the nights, when I generally write. So that might effect my ability to write for a while, and for that I apologize.

In any case, let's get going with some fight scenes. Without further ado, I present to you chapter 37, of the Winds of Change:

Chapter 37:

The sounds of battle echoed off the walls as metal scraped against metal. It was a tense and brutal conflict, screams of pain and sharp hisses being thrown around as if they were passing greetings at a social gathering. Splotches of wet blood covered the stone floor, fresh patches being added for every second that passed by.

Kakashi ducked as one of the many nuke-nin that had overwhelmed his team took a swipe at his head. Panting slightly, he twisted his body around to avoid a stab from a kunai, before sweeping the feet out from under his attacker. Withdrawing a kunai from his pouch, he slammed it into the downed man's chest, straight into his heart. Slowly, the beats stopped, and his eyes turned cold.

Satisfied, the Copy Ninja rose up, surveying the battlefield as he kept a look out for any more attackers. Somehow, they were managing to hold their own against the onslaught.

He could hear Gai's shots, followed generally by the sound of bones snapping. Despite the torn skin on his shoulder, he was more than easily dispatching a few of the nuke-nin at a time, punches and kicks fracturing skulls and breaking backs. Kakashi admired his his Eternal Rival's fortitude.

He heard the sound of someone coming up behind him. Before his assailant could realize, he quickly body flickered behind her, snapping her neck with a loud crunch. She slumped to the floor like a sack of potatoes, and Kakashi decided it was time to take action. Leaping into the air, he weaved through an array of hand-signs, "Earth Style: Great Mud River Jutsu!"

Cracking up through the ground, a large wave of mud slammed into enemy shinobi, washing them away and trapping them in it's thick goopy earth. Subdued, they could do nothing as Kakashi whirled through some more hand signs, "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

A ball of flame burst forth from Kakashi's mouth, searing the bodies of the trapped nuke-nin until they were nothing more than burnt husks.

The Copy Ninja grimaced, the smell of charred flesh reaching his nostrils. He turned and surveyed the battlefield.

Neji and Shino were both fighting furiously, whirring through attacks with deadly efficiency. The Hyūga was engaging two enemies at once. With steely eyes, Byakugan ice cold, Neji deflected a blow sent for his ribcage. With the enemy open to attack, he struck him in the chest, ending his life prematurely. Turning his attention to the other opponent, he caught her fist, before shutting off the chakra to her arm. A moment had not passed before he shot his foot out, snapping her leg in two. As she let out a cry of pain, Neji shut her eyes for good with a palm strike to the head.

Elsewhere, Shino was backed into a corner by four of the nuke-nin. He was not deterred, remaining in his stoic posture as he made hand signs as his Kikaichū buzzed around him. "Aburame Art: Insect Cyclone Jutsu!"

His insects quickly formed a massive tornado that flew towards the opposing ninja. It smashed into them, knocking them in all manner of directions as a few Kikaichū swarmed over their bodies to drain their chakra dry.

There was something off about all of this, though, Kakashi mused. These weren't highly skilled ninja, merely genin or low chunin level at best. And yet, they wore gear that would be appropriate for a Jōnin. A distraction?

Grimacing, The Copy Ninja looked out for his students.

Sasuke had disappeared, and Kakashi cursed his lack of observance. He should've been watching! He felt around for Sasuke's chakra. It was dim, but close, and flaring every-once in a while. He was in a battle.

There was a sudden spike in chakra in the area, and Kakashi stiffened. That was... no... not now...

"Kakashi!"

A nuke-nin running towards the Copy Ninja was treated to a senbon in the eye, courtesy of Shizune. She ran up to him, dark hair uneven and messy, sweat clinging to her brow. "Did you feel that?"

Kakashi nodded gravely. "The Kyūbi."

Tsunade's Apprentice stiffened. "We need to get to him. Now."

Before Kakashi could reply, the wall behind them exploded in a flash of fire and smoke, stone shards clattering along the floor. Shizune acted on instinct, grabbing the Copy Ninja by the arm and leaping away from the blast zone.

"Thanks," he nodded at her as they landed. "I need to focus."

Shizune grunted in reply, turning her attention to the thick smoke. "I can still sense the other's chakra..."

"Projectiles inbound!" Neji's usually calm voice called out, rushing over to the two Jōnin. "We need to move!"

Fūma shuriken swarmed out of the dust and fire, enveloping the field of battle in a metallic darkness.

Kakashi reacted faster than anyone else, rushing through some hand-signs, "Earth Style: Earth Wall Jutsu!"

Neji reacted second, following suit, "Earth Style: Earth Wall Jutsu!"

Two walls of solid earth formed in front of the three shinobi, taking the brunt of the impact. Gai and Shino body flickered next to them, the Aburame Heir panting heavily, a gash present on his arm.

"Are you all right?" Shizune questioned, her hands glowing green as she began to knit the wound together. He nodded briskly.

"I am well. Merely winded."

However, the same could not be said for the men and women around them. Cries of pain and fear drilled into the Leaf Shinobi's minds as they were slaughtered, metal sticking into flesh and blood painting the ground in an eery fashion. Lifeless corpses were soon more prominent than stone floor itself.

"Disgusting," Neji snarled, his white eyes fierce, mouth curled into a deep frown, "To kill one's own comrades with little abandon... Such people exist. And I despise them."

Gai nodded gravely, his eyebrows knitted together, "It is up to us to dispose of these men, for the greater good."

Finally, the dying stopped moaning, and all remained still for a few moments.

The sound of something spilling onto the floor ignited all of their senses. Kakashi's eye widened as his nose twitched. "We need to move!"

Without waiting for a reply, Kakashi leapt backwards, quickly followed by the other four.

"Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu!" A voice boomed as fire erupted from the smoke, turning the oil on the floor into a roaring blaze of fire, coating the room in a hellish glow. Realizing that the ninja was still spreading oil as it leaked out from the smoke, thick and black, Kakashi yelled, "Take formation C-5!"

The four shinobi nodded as they all landed, taking this formation in little to no time. While they did that, The Copy Ninja blurred through some hand signs. "Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"

A large bestial dragon made entirely of water exploded from the concrete in front of Kakashi, shooting forward towards the fire. It washed it all out, steam rising as it continued it's path. With a loud crash, it exploded as it headed into the smoke, sending it bellowing out everywhere.

Finally, Kakashi could get a clear view of what they were up against. It was not looking good.

His Water Dragon Jutsu had managed to kill one, a pool of blood forming around his body as he lay against the wall. Nineteen more men and women were in their battle stances, their backdrop being nothing more than debris and stone. These were far more powerful the litter of dead that made up the floor. Jōnin, at least.

Kakashi grimaced.

"Execute Maneuver 5-A," He said to the group. They all nodded. And, with that, they charged.

"Mizuki!" Naruto roared with rage as he clashed once again with his former academy teacher, metal clanging against metal. The ninja laughed as he sidestepped the blonde, knocking him backwards with a kick to the ribs.

"Foolish demon, I'm stronger than I ever was!"

Withdrawing a Fūma Shuriken, Mizuki threw it at his hated enemy. Naruto let out a feral growl, dodging to the side as he charged once again, his hands forming a sign. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Four clones popped into being, a ferocious look adorning their features. They charged Mizuki with little to no strategy in mind, rage consuming all else.

The former Leaf Ninja chuckled, maliciously grinning as he charged towards the clones. Ducking under one's sloppy fist, he struck it in the throat, causing it to disperse in a puff of smoke. He did much the same to the other three, disposing of them in a few seconds. With only the real one left, he savoured the moment as he kneed the Jinchūriki in the chest. Following that up, he pulled back his fist and smashed it into Naruto's mouth, sending globs of blood splattering onto the stone ground as Naruto fell backwards. He landed with a thud, but stayed down for only a few moments, leaping up with the same look of hatred in his eyes.

"Little Naruto, so innocent looking, and yet a murderous demon!" Mizuki yelled, fire forming in his eyes. "You're a disgusting individual, a monster that preys upon the weak, am I right? I know about your act, demon, how you try and fool everyone with a smart-ass personality. I can see through your lies!" As his speech progressed, Mizuki became more and more angry, "You're a monster, and monsters need to be destroyed! Hell, I even looked at taking out your precious girlfriend."

Naruto's eyes widened, more rage filling them,"You will not harm Sakura!"

"Her? No, the Hyūga girl." Naruto's face was filled with confusion for a moment, before Mizuki laughed, "Of course, you're just a dumb and blind animal. Oblivious to all around you. I couldn't get the precious Hyūga heiress, she was too well guarded. And so I waited and watched. You couldn't fool me, despite how you fooled the Third Hokage, senile old fool." Naruto bristled at the mention of the Hokage. "But he can't protect you any longer. I get to kill Sakura. And," With a smirk so vile, Naruto's already explosive blood boiled even more, "Then I'll kill you!"

There was a deep aura forming as Mizuki's malevolent laughter rang inside Naruto's ears. It was all he could hear. "Sakura...Hinata...NO! NO! NO!"

Orange chakra slowly coated his body, as his blood red eyes darkened. He let out an ear piercing howl. "I'm going to tear you apart!" He boomed, his voice seemingly shaking the walls. Charging forward, he cocked back a fist. Moving a speed Mizuki hadn't accounted for, Naruto's chakra enhanced fist collided with Mizuki, breaking his nose with a flourish of blood. The former Leaf Ninja was sent sprawling and flying backwards as Naruto growled demonically, the aura making him become more and more animalistic by the minute. His claws scraped against the concrete, creating deep indentations as his pointed canines were curled into a snarl.

Something stopped him, however, in the back of his mind. Somehow, he could feel someone's voice whispering in the back of his head. And, slowly, the orange chakra receded. He panted heavily, sweat pouring off his body. He'd pushed back the Kyūbi... somehow.

He didn't get to contemplate it for long, as he felt his leg being pulled out from under him. His head hit the stone floor with a thud, dazing the blonde ninja. He saw the shadow that was getting closer and closer, and shakily raised his arm to block whatever attack was coming.

Sharp pain coursed through his arm as blood spilled over his jacket. When his eyes finally regained clarity, they witnessed a Fūma shuriken embedded in his forearm. He let out a cry of pain as Mizuki pushed down onto the shuriken, sending more pain slithering it's way through his body. "And now the demon will die."

As blood dripped onto the stone floor, Naruto found he couldn't move. The pressure being put on his arm and body was too much.

Mizuki made a hand sign, a sharp grin contorting his face. The platform they were on slowly started to descend. Naruto's cerulean eyes once more became red, his face becoming a feral canvas of the generally happy go lucky blonde. The voice was gone. And now... now, he only felt rage. He let out a primal shriek as the floor closed behind him, plunging them both into darkness.

The group of Leaf Ninja shot forward, moving like blurs across the bloody battlefield. Kakashi could sense that something was off with Naruto, but he couldn't do anything. "I'll find you Naruto."

Pumping chakra into his legs, Kakashi leapt high into the air, his hands weaving through signs, "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

A ball of flame, scorching hot exploded from Kakashi's mouth towards the large group of nuke-nin. Two of them rushed to the front, weaving through hand-signs of their own. However, the flame dissipated before it reached the group.

Gai flickered towards Neji, grabbing the Hyūga Branch Member under the arms. Twisting around, he threw him high into the air.

Byakugan blazing with white hot fury, Neji withdrew multiple kunai from his pouch as he descended downward. Landing in the middle of the enemy formation, he exclaimed, "Rotation!"

He spun rapidly, the kunai flying from his hands in all directions as a blue dome formed around him. Three ninja were skewered by the projectiles, leaving them bloody corpses on the floor. The others, however, had leapt away.

"Split off!" Kakashi yelled, darting forward to engage the two in front of him. Growling, the Copy Ninja dodged as one of the ninja fired off a Lightning Spear that blackened the stone ground.

"The great Kakashi Hatake!" Joukei spat, weaving through more hand-signs. "Prepare to die! Lightning Style: Lightning Javelin Jutsu!"

An array of javelin's made entirely of crackling lightning shot towards Kakashi. He dodged and weaved through them, making hand-signs of his own. "Water Style: Water Whip Jutsu!"

A large whip comprised of water exploded out of the ground, lashing towards Joukei and the ninja stood beside him. They both jumped backwards, the whip smashing into the ground, tearing up concrete.

"Lighting Style: Voltage Jutsu!"

Joukei's eyes widened as Kakashi used the water left by the Water Whip to conduct the lightning he shot from his palms. He leapt upwards, narrowly avoiding being electrocuted. His friend wasn't so lucky. His screams of terror were fueled as lightning coursed through his body, leaving deep burning gashes and patches of burnt skin as he fell to the ground lifeless.

Joukei landed once more, growling. "Bastard."

Kakashi merely lifted up his hitai-ate, revealing his crimson Sharingan eye.

"You shouldn't have taken my student," he spat.

He was in front of Joukei in a second, his fist colliding with the lightning ninja's face. He slid backwards, colliding with the rubble that his fiery entrance had created. Kakashi was on him in a heartbeat, directing a swift kick to the ribs, knocking the wind out of him and sending him careening to the ground

Joukei cursed, kicking outwards and connecting with Kakashi's shin. The Copy-Ninja winced, giving Joukei enough time to leap back to his feet. Lifting the bandana across his eyes, he revealed the soulless sockets where his eyes should be.

Kakashi's Sharingan met the eyeholes, the two clashing in a fearsome genjutsu battle. That was, until Joukei was pulled downwards into the earth. Confused, he could barely react as the Kakashi in front of him poofed away, and a Kakashi rose from the earth.

"As I said, you shouldn't have taken my student."

Withdrawing a kunai, he threw it deftly at Joukei, lodging it in his forehead. After a few moments, Joukei's head fell forwards. And then he poofed away.

Kakashi cursed, whirling around just in time to take a Lightning Spear to the chest.

"Ha!" Gai exclaimed, kicking a nuke-nin square in the head. He bounced along the ground, crashing into one of the walls, his neck snapping.

Neji stood next to his sensei, deflecting another Lightning Spear with his rotation. The plan was going well so far, as they had managed to split up the group into sizeable chunks. While still difficult, they had managed to hold their own. For now.

"Lightning Style: Lightning Javelin-"

The female ninja couldn't finish her jutsu as a senbon stuck itself in her neck, ending her life. Shizune ducked and maneuvered her way through two more nuke-nin, kicking backwards to send them reeling.

"Everybody okay?" She asked.

Neji nodded, "Only a few bruises. I'm fit enough to fight." With that, he sped off once more to engage in combat, eager to take down some scum.

Gai took a moment to breathe. "Everything is going well Shizune," he smiled, before he flickered behind her, deflecting a kunai.

"Th-"

But he was gone before she could continue speaking.

Shino grimaced as a Lightning Spear grazed his shoulder, tearing the fabric of his coat. His Kikaichū swarmed around him as they faced off against the female nuke-nin, who seemed to want to fight at long range. Shino could do long range far better than she ever could.

"Aburame Style: Insect Cyclone!"

His Kikaichū formed a large black cyclone that twisted towards the intended target. The nuke-nin dodged to the side, weaving through even more hand-signs. "Lightning Style: Voltage Jutsu!"

Lightning shot from the nuke-nin's hands, colliding with the masses of bugs, killing a few. But far less than intended.

The nuke-nin's eyes widened, as the Kikaichū shot faster than her eyes could follow, smashing into her. The insects knocked her to the ground, before swarming upon her, draining her of all her chakra as she screamed. Shino adjusted his glasses. "It seems the resiliency to Lightning Jutsu is working."

While he sent his Kikaichū to back up Neji, he couldn't help but have his thoughts linger on his teammates. He pictured them, slain. Dead, cold eyes. Blood covering their bodies.

No. That wouldn't happen. He knew it wouldn't.

Then the rumbling started.

"Can you see them?" Kiba asked, as the duo sprinted down the corridors. Hinata shook her head, biting her lip in concentration as she strained her Byakugan.

"No," she said softly, shaking her head once more, "I can't see Sakura."

Kiba cursed under his breath. "Damn. All right, we should probably head back." Akamaru yipped beside him.

"N-no." She stuttered. "We need to move on. Keep going."

Kiba cocked his head to the side, grasping at Hinata's arm to slow her down. "Woah, hang on a minute. Our orders were to-"

He then saw her eyes. They were different than the meek, quiet lavender that he was used to. These eyes were slightly darker, and far more focused. "Kiba, please. We need to go on."

"Why?" He questioned, folding his arms over his chest. "We've scouted out this area of the compound as best we could. You know that."

Akamaru nudged her leg softly, but she shook her head. "No, not yet. P-please Kiba."

"I-" He paused, scratching the back of his neck. "Hinata, c'mon, we need-"

"I made a promise to Naruto," she stated quietly, redness coming to her soft cheeks, "I-I made a promise. That I would f-find Sakura."

Kiba frowned. "I know, but he made us all promise that. And we can do that better-"

"I don't want to let him down anymore." She said softly. "I c-can't." Her voice turned more resolute as she finished, meeting Kiba's dark orbs with her lavender eyes. He studied her for a moment, his frown slowly turning upward into an impassive line.

"All right," he grinned, after a moments consideration. "But don't say I never do anythin' for ya, 'cause I do!"

Hinata smiled. "Thank you."

As the Hyūga heiress turned on her heels and moved forward, Kiba couldn't help the small smile that crossed his face. Naruto really was helping her out, in terms of confidence and skill.

Akamaru barked in agreement, and they both followed Hinata's lead without another word.

The fire felt warm on her skin, compared to the cold night air that wanted to push it's way into your bones and freeze them. Hinata's eyes surveyed the area, taking in the soft colouring of the dark against the fiery warmth. Shadows flickered across her vision, the sky a perfect canvas, filled with black, and tinted with a few darkened clouds.

She sat alone, quietly thinking to herself about tomorrow's events. They would head out tomorrow, to rescue Sakura. It would be a dangerous affair, she knew this. But that wasn't bothering her.

Her hands closed around the log she was sat on. A rather impassioned part of her disliked the idea. Naruto probably wouldn't even glance at her anymore, once Sakura was safe and sound. She squashed those feelings with more ruthlessness than she knew she possessed.. Sakura was a comrade,and most importantly, a friend . She would never do anything to hurt her, or anyone intentionally.

The awkwardness between herself and Naruto had not changed, ever since their talk a few days ago. They remained distant, but spoke politely to each other when training with Jiraiya. But, Hinata sighed softly, things would most likely never be the same again. They avoided each other's eyes at dinner, mumbled only a few words between them in conversations. It was, Hinata thought to herself, as she stoked the fire with a stick, that he was nervous around her as well. She paused, almost allowing a soft giggle to escape her lips. That was absurd. Naruto was never shy.

"Hey."

Hinata nearly jumped out of her skin, whirling around. Her eyes softened as she saw the figure standing behind her, looking sheepish. "O-oh, it's y-you."

Naruto smiled at her, his cerulean eyes meeting lavender ones. "Sorry about that." He grinned softly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I wanted to talk to you, is all."

Without waiting for a reply from the Hyūga Heiress, Naruto plonked himself down next to her.

Hinata felt her cheeks warming up, and she rubbed her hands together. Was this about earlier? Was he going to confront her? Her heart beat rapidly in her chest. She wasn't sure she could take it, as he sat silently, staring contemplatively into the fire.

His voice was rough, and yet quiet. "Could you promise me something?" He asked.

Hinata turned to face him, his sun-kissed skin mixing well with the dancing orange flames. She nodded.

"Promise you'll get Sakura back."

He turned towards her, cerulean locking with lavender in an intense stare. Hinata found she couldn't look away. There was something there. Something different than last time, Hinata realised, as she looked down at the ground, her red cheeks burning with embarrassment. Something had changed between them. And she wasn't sure if she liked it.

"Y-yes, of course."

Naruto smiled, but didn't look at her any longer. Silently, he stood up, and walked away without so much as a goodbye, leaving Hinata alone to stare at the fire, a saddened look in her eyes.

Hinata paused, her eyes widening as a deep rumble overtook the corridor. Kiba stopped behind her, "What the hell is that!?" He exclaimed, gritting his teeth.

Akamaru whined, his tail between his legs as he retreated behind his master.

Hinata took a moment to strain her Byakugan-

Oh no.

"Run!" She cried out, turning tail and sprinting down the corridor. Kiba blinked in confusion, turning around to call out to his teammate. He then heard it. The sound of something rushing towards him.

Turning his head to stare at the direction the sound was coming from, he felt his heart stop. Gallons of rushing water was barging down the corridor at ferocious speeds.

"Oh shit!" He let out an ear-piercing shriek of fear, turning around and galloping down the corridor, Akamaru hot on his heels.

Hinata took a look back, horror overcoming her face as the water came closer and closer to enveloping Kiba and Akamaru. "Watch out!"

Kiba grimaced, stopping in his tracks as he whirled around. He blurred through some hand signs, before slamming his palm into the ground, "Earth Style: Earth Wall Jutsu!"

A large solid wall of earth rose up from the concrete, blocking the path of the water. Without waiting to see if it would hold, Kiba turned and ran.

Hinata waited, and before long all three were sprinting down the corridor, and after only a few moments, the dam broke.

Kakashi thanked Kami he had enough smarts to create a Water Clone as Joukei smashed into the wall. Otherwise he'd have a lighting spear stuck in his gut.

Both opponents were engaged in a fierce taijutsu battle, ducking and blocking blows left and right. He had to admit, the Lightning Ninja was decent at Taijutsu. They had kept this up for at least three minutes, and showed no signs of slowing down. Kakashi grimaced as Joukei caught his jaw with a punch, jolting him. He didn't let it phase him for long, grasping at the nuke-nin's arm and throwing him over head. But he would not fall on this day. Not when his students needed to be saved.

Joukei landed on his feet, twisting around to face Kakashi. Both men blurred through hand-signs.

"Lightning Style: Lightning Spear Jutsu!"

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

Both elemental jutsus clashed in a barrage of sparks and flame, scorching the surrounding area and discolouring it a searing black.

Then the rumbling started.

As both men finished their jutsu, they took a moment to listen to the sound, as if millions of musicians were banging their drums loudly. No. This was something else.

There was a great crash as a huge wave of water smashed through the wall farthest from the fighting, soon enveloping the grey walls with a dark blue. "Onto the ceiling! Now!" Kakashi cried, taking a chakra enhanced leap into the air. His teammates followed suit, narrowly avoiding being crushed by the enormous force of the wave.

"Jump you fools!" Joukei screamed at his fellow nuke-nin, leaping into the air with vicious abandon. His teammates followed suit, all intent on dodging the water and killing the Leaf Ninja.

"Execute Maneuver 2-B!" Kakashi yelled, hanging upside down from the ceiling.

Shino silently began to funnel his Kikaichu down to the ground below.

Gai nodded, before clenching his fists. As the nuke-nin's feet touched the ceiling, Gai called out, "Konoha's Green Beast: Quaking Sea!"

He rapidly began to palm strike the ceiling, sending deep ripples of chakra throughout it, leaving no visible marks. Joukei's eyes could only widen, as the chakra he was using to cling to the ceiling failed, and he, along with his other nuke-nin, fell.

Shino couldn't help but admire the Spandex Wearing Jōnin. This was a genius move, using chakra enhanced ripples to overpower other chakra in the area, and render it useless, thus making them fall. What was more impressive was that Gai could pick particular chakra's to target. That was an impressive feat, and one worth of Konoha's resident Taijutsu Master.

Kakashi, pumping chakra to his feet, leapt after the falling ninja. Lightning began to crackle in his hand, light blue and vibrant against the backdrop of dark blue water that smashed against the walls. "No!" Joukei cried, taking in his last gulp of air before he collided with the water, creating an almighty splash.

"Raikiri!" Kakashi yelled, slamming his hand into the water. It exploded in vibrant sparks and bubbles as the nuke-nin that had fallen in were electrocuted, their screams muffled as they sank into the depths of the abyss, scorched skin and lifeless corpses all that remained of their past selves.

Kakashi took special note of Joukei, who's soulless eyes could show no emotion as he stopped moving for the final time, a light gurgle being the last sound that ever passed his lips.

The Copy-Ninja took a deep breath. Wherever this water had come from, he thanked it. Had this fortunate turn of events not happened, he honestly wasn't sure if they could combat and beat the combined Jōnin onslaught

"Thank you Shino," he said, as his Kikaichū raised him back up towards the ceiling. "Without your insects, I would've been killed by my own jutsu."

Shino merely inclined his head forwards slightly.

"What's next?" Neji asked, as he deactivated his Byakugan, taking a breath.

Kakashi went to answer, but stiffened as he felt something crawl on his neck. There was a pinprick, and sharp intake of breath, most likely from Shizune.

"Don't be alarmed," Shino's calm voice spoke, as he moved to stand next to Kakashi. "Some of my Kikaichū have the ability to give back chakra from those they have drained. While not much, it should help in the coming battles."

Kakashi nodded, feeling warm chakra pulse into his network, before it stopped. He looked down at the insects that fell into the water's depths, lifeless.

"There is always a price," Shino added.

"We're upside down." Neji deadpanned.

Despite the situation, Kakashi let a small smile grace his masked face. "Yes. Yes we are."

"Mizuki!" Naruto roared, kicking forward with his legs, sending the former Leaf Ninja flying backwards. He collided with a wall, a sound of pain escaping his throat as he winced. The platform had long stopped moving, and Mizuki could do nothing as he felt the purple bruises forming all across his back.

"You'll pay for that demon!" He snarled.

Naruto tore the Fūma shuriken from his arm, letting out a cry of pain as blood gushed from the wound. This didn't stop him as he leapt up, teeth bared in an animalistic snarl. He charged, leaping forward. Mizuki could do nothing as the blonde barreled into him, crashing through the wall. The force at which Naruto had pounced continued sending them through concrete wall after concrete wall, smashing against Mizuki's back, injuring it more and more. Finally, the walls stopped, replaced by a deep elevator shaft.

Mizuki smashed once more into the wall, his back burning with agony as he let out a shriek of horror. Naruto's red eyes turned into slits, and he bellowed.

Grasping Mizuki by the throat, the Jinchuuriki threw him down the shaft, following closely behind. He lashed out with multiple bruising punches, his rage increasing with every successful shot. No coherent thought was running through his head, only the boiling anger he felt within him, guiding his actions.

He grabbed Mizuki's legs, shouting, "I'LL KILL YOU!"

Doing a frontflip, he threw Mizuki down at an increased speed, the former leaf ninja crashing into the floor with a bone-breaking intensity, kicking up dust.

Naruto landed soon after, creating a small crater as he roared.

He waited for a moment, seeing if his opponent- no, his prey, got back up.

"Demon..." Mizuki growled, standing upwards as black overtook his body. "I'll show you the power of the Curse Mark!"

Mizuki's body transformed before Naruto's eyes, turning into a muscular, ferocious looking cat. Yellow eyes, stained with hatred shone vibrantly, locking with Naruto's red ferocious orbs. Black skin rippled as Mizuki flexed his newfound muscles, teeth gleaming as they were bared in a sardonic grin.

Both men sprinted forward, intent on tearing each other in half. Mizuki won, crashing into Naruto with his shoulder, sending the blonde reeling.

Naruto let out a sharp cry of pain as claws scraped across his shoulder, tearing his jacket and skin like a hot knife through butter. Mizuki let out a roar of his own, clasping both hands together, before he smashed them down on Naruto's head. Blood poured from the Jinchuuriki's mouth, as Mizuki grabbed him by his blonde locks, throwing him backwards. He smashed through a wall, rolling along the ground before he stopped, bruises forming all over his skin, his arm shattered.

"I'm more powerful than you now, you bastard!" The muscular cat snarled, fists opening and closing, saliva dripping off of his fangs. "And now you'll die!"

"NO!" Naruto screamed, his injuries healed at an alarming rate as he bounded towards Mizuki. Instead of reaching him, he dodged to the side. Taking the former Leaf Ninja off guard, he struck with a bone-shattering punch, breaking Mizuki's jaw as he flew through the air, colliding with the concrete viciously.

The Curse Marked Nin rose up, setting his jaw back into place as he stood opposite the vicious blonde in front of him. "You can't win-"

"SHUT UP!"

With another thundering cry, louder than any other he had uttered before, Naruto pounced once again.

Mizuki, this time, dodged to the side, withdrawing a Fūma shuriken from his pouch, before lobbing it at the blonde. There was a slick sound as it pierced the blonde's midsection, pinning him to the wall as he cried out in agony, blood pouring from the gash.

Mizuki took a moment to breath. As much as he didn't want to admit it, the blasted fox had a greater regeneration rate than himself. Far greater, that wound would be healed within the coming moments.

He reached once more into his pouch, set on decapitating the Kyūbi and ending this demon's life. But then the rumbling began. With enhanced hearing, he could pick it out. Rushing water.

"I'll let nature kill you demon!" He snarled, before he bounded towards the door, his cat-like feet slamming against the ground.

Naruto let out a yell of rage, ripping the shuriken from his midsection and tossing it away haphazardly. "GET BACK HERE YOU BASTARD!"

He stormed after the former Leaf-Ninja, entering the elevator shaft, and watching as the cat nin climbed up the wall, his claws slamming into the concrete. Naruto followed suit, dashing upwards, a fearsome look in his crimson eyes. "YOU SHOULD NEVER HAVE TAKEN MY FRIEND!"

Mizuki grimaced, weighing up his options. It was then that water cascaded from the hole they made earlier, falling down the shaft at an increasing speed, ready to grind them into bones and blood.

"And you'll never see your friend again!"

Detaching himself from the wall, Mizuki pulled out an exploding tag. Kicking the blonde square in the face as he fell, he slapped the tag onto his chest, using the blonde as leverage as he kicked upwards. Making a hand-sign, Naruto could only cry out in rage as it exploded, sending blood splashing onto the walls. Below him, more water bellowed out of the other hole, trapping him between the two rushing forces.

Mizuki used his claws to attach himself to the wall. The sound of a massive amount of water making him nervous, she smashed through the wall with one punch. He took one look back as Naruto fell, blood streaming out of the scorched wound in his stomach, before he took off.

Naruto crashed into the water below, the air rushing out of his lungs, all his senses being clouded by the crushing pressure of the water. It was soon tinted red, hindering his vision further. He didn't have the strength to struggle. Slowly, the orange chakra dissipated, leaving a bruised and bloody blonde to float in the water.

His eyelids got heavier, but he felt no pain. His eyes closed.

He did not see the seal that glowed on his shoulder, or the puff of smoke that enveloped his body.

Where his dying corpse had been, remained a human-sized toad, Naruto's hand being the last body part to go in it's mouth. Swallowing, he toad kicked it's legs and swam upwards, the blonde safe in his belly as the Kyūbi healed his wounds.

And there we go! I should point out that this chapter was not planned at all. I, however, realized that there were a few loose ends I should tie up before we progress. I could've done them sloppily, but I decided a full chapter was needed.

The next chapter will also be delayed, most likely, until either the Wednesday after next, or the weekend after that. As I said, my sister being ill may affect my writing, and I've got to write two big fight scenes, so it'll take me a while anyway.

So, in the next chapter, we get Sasuke vs Kan, and Shikamaru, Ino and Tenten vs Bobo!

I hope to see you there, and have a great morning/afternoon/evening/night!