Hello everybody, and welcome back to chapter thirty-nine, of the Winds of Change! Well, I have to say I've made good time. It's only been about, what, four days since the last chapter? I'm really pumping these out now, It's great! In any case, this chapter will have two rather big reveals. I hope you enjoy them!

So, without further ado, I present to you, chapter 39, of the Winds of Change!

Chapter 39:

Kakashi stiffened as the sound of something opening filled his ears. His group was still stood on the ceiling, preparing their next move. However, this gave them pause.

"What's that?" Shizune asked, hand dipping towards her kunai pouch.

"I'll check."

Neji's Byakugan flared into life, veins pulsing as he scanned the area. "The floor is opening up. The water is being drained into a shaft of some kind. My Byakugan can't reach that far down." The Hyūga paused for a moment. "I can see Sasuke. He's wounded, but alive."

Kakashi sighed in relief. "And Naruto?"

Neji shook his head. "No, I can't see him. However, Shikamaru, Tenten and Ino are-" His fists tightened. "They're badly injured. Ino's unconscious, and the others are barely moving."

"Shizune," Kakashi barked, "When the water clears immediately attend to them."

The Medic Nin nodded.

"There will be no need," Neji stated, deactivating his Byakugan. "Both parties will be here very shortly. It seems, somehow, the areas they managed to go through were sealed off. The water hasn't affected them."

Slowly, but surely, the water, and corpses, were washed down the large hole that had been created. With a loud bang, the ground reformed, leaving nothing but a few puddles and blood stains.

"Gai, Neji, go and break down the doors. Shizune, accompany Gai." The three ninja nodded, darting off to do their duties.

Kakashi turned to Shino, who adjusted his glasses. "Can you swarm the area with a few of your Kikaichū, to detect any chakra signatures?"

Shino merely nodded in reply, raising his arms and allowing his insects to slowly swarm out and across the large stone room.

The Copy Ninja leapt back down to the floor, landing without so much as a sound. "Yosh!" He heard Gai call, followed by a large crash.

"Hello faithful genin!" He exclaimed, giving the ragtag group a thumbs-up. His beaming smile dropped from his face as he took them in. "What happened my youthful friends!"

Shizune had rushed to Shikamaru's side, green chakra glowing around her hands as she examined Ino's entire body in a quick, albeit thorough fashion. "She needs rest. Gai, take her."

The Spandex Clad Jonin nodded, reaching over and scooping Ino up in his arms. "Take her over there," Shizune gestured near the back of the room, where the debris was. Smiling soft at the girl in his arms, Gai took off.

"Let me check you first." Shizune stated, turning her attention away from Gai and back to Shikamaru. The Nara opened his mouth to tell her to look at Tenten first, but she cut him off sharply, "Tenten has a dislocated shoulder, I can tell that from here. You, however, need to be checked. Don't struggle."

The Nara grunted as his body was scanned. "Two fractured ribs, some minor head trauma, and a few cuts and bruises. You got off lucky," she chided him. "You were foolish to run off like that."

Shikamaru bit back a retort, but just barely. He once again grunted in reply, looking past Shizune as Gai gently placed Ino onto the ground.

"Give me a few moments to check on Tenten," She said, turning her attention towards the brunette who had stood patiently by. She scanned her body, but remained impassive. "Your main injury is that dislocated shoulder, along with that shoulder wound. I'll need to apply a bandage, and do a reduction."

Tenten nodded in agreement, wincing at the soft touch of Shizune as she brushed her fingers over the injured joint. "I'm not going to lie, it'll hurt. But, not as much as you think."

With a reassuring smile, Shizune led both Shikamaru and Tenten to where Ino was resting.

Meanwhile, Neji had successfully broken down the wall that stopped Sasuke from entering the room. The Raven Haired Ninja nodded his thanks to the Hyūga, who returned the gesture. "Sasuke!" Kakashi called, appearing in front of his charge in the blink of an eye. "Where the hell did you go?"

The Uchiha gave his sensei a dispassionate gaze, flexing his shoulder muscles. "I went to kill Kan."

"I see. And-"

"I succeeded."

Kakashi didn't say anything for a moment. "And you're okay about that?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"The first kill is usually the most traumatic," Neji stated, crossing his arms over his chest. "Your sensei wishes to know if you are well. Mentally, anyway."

"Shut up Hyūga," Sasuke snarled, whirling around on him, "I'm fine."

"Really? Doesn't seem like it to me."

"Neji," Kakashi warned. "Go and help Shizune and Gai."

Neji nodded, glaring at Sasuke once more before he darted off.

Both men didn't speak for a long moment, the silence comforting after the battles they had just fought. "Where did you get that chain?" Kakashi finally asked.

Sasuke grunted. "I pried it out of Kan's dead hands."

"I see. And you're sure you're fine with that? As Neji said-"

"Spare me the psychological evaluation sensei," he snapped. "Kan's death just means I'm one step closer to achieving my goal."

Kakashi internally flinched, pain cutting into his chest. Damn it. Damn it all. "I understand. We need to go back. Start figuring out what we're going to do next."

"Find Sakura, obviously."

"In due time. Come on."

Sasuke nodded wordlessly in reply, and the two set off towards the other group.

Gai was sobbing heartily, much to the chagrin of the still conscious ninja near him. "Sensei!" Tenten snapped, gripping at his spandex collar with her good arm, "Shut the hell up!"

Tears streamed down the Jonin's face as he continued to cry madly. "I'm sorry my most youthful flower!" He brought his hands to his face, blocking the flow of tears. This did nothing to stem the tide of the loud, exuberant sobs, however. "But, you are mortally wounded! This could be the end of you-"

"Gai, I'm fixing it now. She'll be fine-"

"-and how would I tell poor Lee! He would be heartbroken, his youth lost under the burden of such sorrow!"

Shizune bit her lip to keep from attacking the wailing man, and continued to bandage Tenten up. When she had finished with that, she moved onto beginning to heal the joint itself with Medical Ninjutsu. "I won't be able to heal it all," she said over the sobs," but I'll make it as pain-free as possible."

"I'm not going to be able to fight then?" She questioned.

Shizune shook her head. "No, not with that arm. And you're lucky I managed to disinfect that wound on your shoulder in time," She said sternly. "Any longer, and you could've had a serious infection. Your arm may have needed to come off."

"There wasn't really much time for healing," Tenten's brown eyes locked with Shizune's in a challenging glare. The Medical Ninja sighed.

"I'm sorry. I'm just, worried about all of this."

"We all are," Shikamaru said softly, his gaze moving to the slumbering form of Ino, brow creasing in a combination of annoyance and frustration.

"We'll be fine," Tenten grinned, despite the pain that was surging through her shoulders, "We've got it all under control."

Shizune didn't say anything more, apart from kicking Gai rather hard in the shin, causing him to yelp loudly. But, it got him to stop crying, much to the joy of everyone.

"Tenten!"

Said girl sighed softly, as Neji's white eyes met with her own. "Are you well?" He asked.

She used her good arm to gesture to the sling. "I see," he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, Well, it could be worse."

"I have a dislocated arm."

"You could have two dislocated arms."

"Neji?"

"Yeah?"

"Shut the fuck up."

The Hyūga opened his mouth to reply, but promptly shut it. "Yes, I think I will. I'm glad you're," he paused, eyes lingering on the dislocated shoulder, "somewhat well."

Tenten smiled softly. "Thank you Neji. That means a lot."

He gave her a small smirk in reply. "Rest." He stated, standing upwards.

"Yosh, my most youthful rival!" Gai exclaimed, standing up as Kakashi and Sasuke walked over, "I see your charge is well!" He greeted Sasuke with a dazzling smile and a thumbs-up, all memories of sobbing seemingly forgotten.

The Uchiha shot him the darkest look he would possibly ever give. This didn't deter Gai at all; in fact, his smile seemed to grow wider.

"Yes, it seems my cute little genin managed to patch himself up, more or less."

Kakashi ruffled Sasuke's hair, earning a deep growl and a ferocious look. Kakashi eye-smiled.

"Let me take a look at him anyway," Shizune clucked. She scanned him, but nodded. "You've taken care of most of your injuries. Come over in a moment and let me take care of the rest."

"Of course, thank you."

Kakashi blinked. "Sasuke, you're being polite? Did you hit your head during your fight?"

Sasuke smirked. "I'm only polite to the people I like, sensei."

"Oh, how that wounds me."

Shikamaru frowned slightly. The light-heartedness of the scene was making him feel ill. Most of them had almost died, and yet everybody seemed to be cracking jokes. He paused in his thought process, his frown growing deeper.

Was he truly that cynical? No, he was being foolish. It was a morale tactic. And a good one at that

The Nara found himself moving upwards more, turning away from Ino and towards Kakashi. "Don't worry Kakashi-sensei, Sasuke seems unable to be nice. Polite, sure, but nice?"

Sasuke scowled, and Kakashi's eye-smile grew even bigger.

This was all interrupted, however, by a smooth hissing voice. "Kukuku, how delightful."

The forest seemed to be closing in. The branches and vines slowly creaked, their mournful cries echoing across the clearing. Dark grass whistled softly as the breeze made it dance, joining the melody of insects chirping and squeaking.

Yellow, acidic eyes gazed forward. A predators eyes. A long, snake like tongue licked at pale lips, skin whiter than the dead. Inky black hair fell down in glossy lines, like a writhing for of tentacles coming to claim it's prey. "Sasuke." The voice whispered.

Obsidian eyes snapped back into focus, the confining forest replaced with the stone drab room. No words were spoken, merely the light tingling sound that healing chakra made. Sasuke's fingers twitched, his jaw tightening with every passing moment.

Orochimaru stood there, flanked by his subordinate, who surveyed Sasuke with a chilling smirk. The Uchiha was not deterred.

"My, my Sasuke," Orochimaru hissed softly, yellow eyes brightening like an encroaching flame. "I see you've gotten stronger."

"Orochimaru," his voice was filled with malice unkempt, eyes darkening until they were nothing more than abysmal pools of black.

"I'm very impressed," The Snake Sennin smiled, revealing a set of pearly white teeth. "Not only did you manage to grow stronger, but you also killed Kan. Kukuku, how delightful. He was a perfect subject to test your capabilities."

Sasuke scowled, fists closing forcefully. "You did not test anything."

"Oh? I think I did. Kan was so very easy to control, and he jumped at the chance to kill you one on one. It seems, however, he failed. And you stand tall."

Before the Uchiha could bite back, his vision was blocked by a flak jacket. Kakashi's lone grey eye was slanted, giving off no emotion. He held the wrist of his other hand, lighting flickering and chirping loudly. "Leave Orochimaru."

"Kukuku," Orochimaru's grin felt like ice clawing at both of their hearts. "I'm not going anywhere."

Tenten knew her body language must have been easy to read. Her pulsating heart, enraged look in her chocolate eyes. Her tense body. Everything alerted to what she was going to do. Or, rather try.

Shizune gently pushed the Weapon's Master down onto her back, making sure to softly press against her shoulder. Tenten winced, pain scratching at her shoulder as she clutched onto the fabric of her clothes. "You know full well you can't fight with that shoulder." The Medical Ninja stated with a disapproving frown.

"I could fight Bobo..." She muttered. Shizune fixed her with a glare only a doctor could dish out.

"You barely managed to fight Bobo. If you go out to try and help, you'll only get in the way."

"I will not-"

"You will."

Neji's calm voice flowed through her head, calming her, and yet enraging her all at the same time. He stood stoically in front of her, his long hair unmoving, arms folded over his chest. He inclined his head backwards, pearlescent eyes shining with unknown emotion.

"Neji..." she began to snarl, but a stern look from the Hyūga shut her up.

"I know you want to get into the fight. But, how am I going to tell Lee his friend, and teammate, is dead?"

"You bastard-"

"I'm not doing this to insult you. I'm doing this because, if you go out there, you will die. And I refuse to allow that. Stay here, and don't move."

With that, he ran off.

Shikamaru's head throbbed. Biting his lip, he fought back against the pain, thoughts of home and the smell of pine trees keeping him from crying out. He wouldn't take up anymore of Shizune's time, not when Tenten needed healing. He would make do.

He ran a hand through his spiky hair, letting a sigh escape his lips. His eyes lingered for a moment on the tense stand-off in front of him, but he found it drifting. They landed on the unconscious form of Ino Yamanaka, dirt caking her face, blonde hair splayed out. Her blue eyes were closed, locked into a dreamless sleep. He gently reached over, tucking a strand of her silky hair behind her ear.

She was going to hate him.

The pain in his head was soon replaced by an aching in his chest.

Neji landed with a slight thud next to Shino, who stood stoically as ever in the face of danger.

"Your insects didn't notice them?" Neji let out a harsh whisper. Shino merely adjusted his glasses, his voice smooth and clear.

"No. They just appeared in the centre of the room."

"Hn."

It was five against two, and yet the odds were not at all stacked in their favour. Neji could easily see why Sasuke seemed afraid of the Snake Sannin. His demeanor was one of pure horror, face taken from the nightmares of small children, a grin that tickled the spine with cold fingers.

"What's wrong with his arms?" Neji questioned.

Shino grunted unknowingly.

Gai's eyes were hard and cold, fists closed at his sides as he looked at Kabuto. Grey eyes clashed with brown, and a smirk came upon the Medical Ninja's lips. This would be one hell of a battle.

"This is bad."

Kakashi's lone eye surveyed the two men in front of him, both equally as dangerous. Orochimaru's arms hung loosely by his side, but that didn't matter. He was still a member of the Sannin, and a very, very deadly ninja.

His aide, Kabuto, managed to take out a large amount of ANBU Black Ops before escaping. He was also powerful.

"Sensei..." Sasuke gritted his teeth, pushing the Copy Ninja out of his thoughts literally, as he was forced to the side. "Let me see him."

Kakashi wordlessly nodded.

Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed with excitement. "Are you ready yet, Sa-su-ke?"

The Uchiha's hands balled into fists, his eyes instinctively morphing into the Sharingan. "I'll never be ready to come to you!"

"Then you'll never be ready to kill Itachi."

Sasuke stiffened, and the Snake Sennin's grin widened. "Without the power I offer, he'll always be better than you. You can't beat him, Sasuke."

"Enough Orochimaru," Kakashi spat, palming a kunai. "Leave. Now."

Orochimaru cackled wildly, as Kabuto's smirk morphed into a full blown grin. "Foolish Hatake! This is my domain!"

Gai reached into his back-pocket, hands landing on his famous set of nunchucks. Shino began to call back his Kikaichū, while the Hyūga beside him activated his Byakugan.

"Orochimaru, you are an S Rank Missing Ninja, and as a Jonin of the Hidden Leaf Village, I am forced to take you in."

"Oooh, little Kakashi Hatake wishes to challenge me?" His long tongue slipped out of his mouth, licking his pale lips. "How intriguing."

The Copy Ninja whirled through hand-signs, lightning crackling in his clawed hand. Orochimaru's grin widened, teeth shining.

"Maybe killing you all wouldn't be such a bad idea."

Kabuto shot forward, hand glowing green, palm outstretched. Shino flinched back, his eyes not able to keep up with the speed the Medical Ninja was going at.

There was a flash of green, and Kabuto raised his arm up to block what he knew was coming. Gai's foot collided with his forearm, a loud crack echoing across the room. Kabuto was flung backwards, arm lying limply at his side as he rolled across the floor, righting himself.

"Kabuto!" Orochimaru sneered, eyes filled with mirth. "Wait for my command!"

The Medic Ninja scowled, but did not reply, focusing on healing his now broken arm.

Gai's face was as cold as stone, raising his fists up in a threatening manner. Orochimaru grimaced.

"Thank you," Shino told the Jonin Sensei, Kikaichū swarming around himself. Gai nodded in reply.

Neji was at his sensei's side, slipping into his Gentle Fist Stance, eyes harder than steel.

"Be careful," The Spandex Wearing Jonin said to his charges. "They're strong. Be on your guard."

"Hold on," Shino's voice entered the ears of all listening. "Someone else is coming."

Neji nodded. "Yes, three chakra signatures." The Hyuga's eyes widened a fraction. "One of them has massive amounts of chakra."

Kakashi's face contorted into a frown. Reaching for his headband with his free hand, he pulled it upwards, revealing his crimson Sharingan.

Orochimaru merely grinned, his gaze directed at Sasuke, who bristled.

Behind the Snake Sennin, the wall slowly began to raise upwards, the groaning of gears and the scraping of stone on stone filling the figures walked out of the darkness.

Two, Kakashi realized, looked like the description Itachi gave of two Akatsuki members. The third, however, was someone he had never seen before.

The man was well built, towering over his two comrades. His skin was a light blue, the colour of shallow water, that held yet a dark tinge. Black eyes, sharp and unforgiving observed the area, like a predator hunting for it's prey. The man took a deep breath through his nose, rows of sharpened teeth being displayed in a sadistic grin. Dark blue hair remained unmoving as he walked forward, flanked by the two other Akatsuki members. Gills on his neck flickered, and his grin intensified.

A large, odd shaped weapon was strapped to his back, bandages surrounding and covering it.

"What..." Neji trailed off. "His chakra level... it's off the charts!"

Shino nodded. "I just placed a Kikaichū on him a few seconds ago. It's dead already. His chakra exceeds all of ours combined."

Gai's fingers tightened around his nunchuks. Sasuke's crimson eyes tore holes into the man's own black orbs.

Kakashi, however, remained impassive, Raikiri still crackling in his hand.

The large Akatsuki paused, sniffing the air once more. His voice was shrill, and yet held a menacing, bloodthirsty tone. "I can sense blood."

The two Akatsuki flanking him grinned, both of their hands moving towards the hilt of their blades.

"And who, are you?" Gai asked, silently making preparations. If worse came to worse, he'd be prepared to use the Eight Gates.

A voice, smooth and silky, filled the room. "His name is Kisame Hoshigaki. And he's an S Rank Ninja."

Sasuke knew that the man before him was powerful. They all were. And yet, he didn't feel scared. He'd taken a life today, he'd stopped someone from living. And he still stood here, alive and fit to fight. No, he would not die this day, not to a snake like Orochimaru. And to any member of the Akatsuki.

The stranger's voice put him on edge, all thoughts of not being afraid dropping into the depths of his stomach. He swallowed.

Impossible.

His head robotically turned to the side, willing it to be anyone else.

Crows, bleak and black cawed as they flew out from multiple directions, eventually revealing a figure. Sasuke felt his heart stop.

He knew that face all too well.

He'd barely aged a day, only grown in height. Hair, flowing and dark as night itself settled down his ruffling cloak, also the colour of the abyss. His eyes were like cloudy marble, darkened by the shadows of the dead. He stood, straight and poised, hands by his sides. Slowly, but surely, he turned his head to the side.

And the two brother's eyes met.

Sasuke swallowed, willing his body to move. To attack. To kill. But, it wouldn't. It refused. The paralysing look in his brother's eyes was enough-

Sasuke paused. He looked, deeply, into his brother's dark eyes. And he saw boredom.

Itachi looked away from his little brother, uninterested. His gaze swept over his opponents, landing distinctly on Kisame. The Shark Ninja grinned.

"Itachi! It's been a long time!"

"Kisame." The Uchiha greeted. He turned his attention to Kakashi, and nodded to him.

Sasuke swung around, just in time to see Kakashi nod back. His jaw set, eyes becoming hard. "What?" He seethed.

Kakashi's eyes became remorseful, and he turned his gaze away from Sasuke, and back to the enemy in front of him.

Sasuke turned back to Itachi, who still paid him no mind. "Itachi!" He exclaimed.

There was no answer.

"Itachi!" He tried again, taking a step forward, Sharingan spinning.

He didn't move.

"ITACHI!" Sasuke screamed, his entire body shaking with boiling anger.

His brother, the killer of the Uchiha Clan, the man that had plagued his nightmares for the longest time, the man he envisioned dead at his feet. The man, that looked at him, with utter disinterest.

"Sasuke." He said his name, a dull and bored tone escaping from his lips.

"You can't run!"

"I never intended to."

With that, he turned his attention back to Kisame, who was looking rather bemused.

"Family troubles?"

"Hn."

"I've got you now!"

"Sasuke..." Kakashi trailed off. He sighed. "Itachi, how do you know this man?"

Itachi's fingers twitched. "We were to be partners in the Akatsuki."

Kisame's grin twisted into a fierce scowl. "That's right Itachi, and then you left!"

The other Leaf Ninja poised themselves, ready to strike at any moment. Itachi did nothing, only continued to lock eyes with the Akatsuki member. "I did leave."

"And what did that do, eh!? You left me alone, and I had nobody else to partner up with! I became the errand boy to Leader, because I 'let' you escape with those jutsu! I've been nothing more than fodder!" Kisame spat, reaching for the weapon on his back. "But now, that's going to change! Because my plan has worked!"

"Now Itachi!" Sasuke interrupted Kisame monologue, "You die!"

The Chidori flickered to life in the Uchiha's hand, his crimson eyes baying for blood. He charged forward, lightning crackling within his fingers. Pulling his palm backwards, he let out one more cry of rage, before he slammed it forwards.

Itachi caught it with one hand, never taking his eyes off the enemies in front of him.

Sasuke's own eyes widened, and soon he was doubled over in pain, clutching his injured side. Itachi finally spared him a glance, unfeeling and uncaring. "Focus on those that have your friend." He stated, turning back towards Kisame.

Sasuke growled, leaping back up, fist clenched. Itachi caught the punch, twisting the wrist in an awkward angle. The Younger Uchiha cried out in pain, collapsing on one knee. He felt Itachi's cold hands around his throat. Sharingan met Sharingan, and Itachi's voice echoed in his head. "Foolish little brother. You're too weak!"

He found himself flying backwards, landing hard on the concrete with a distinct thud. Kakashi's grey eye met with his own, as he laid on his back.

The Copy Ninja knelt down, offering a hand to his student. Sasuke angrily slapped it away, jumping back up and fixing his sensei with a betrayed glare. "You're working with him!?"

"Sasuke-"

"Quiet! You all are working with him, aren't you!? You are all going behind my back and working with a murderer! A man who slaughtered my entire clan! You have all betrayed me, especially you!" He sneered at Kakashi, eyes spinning. "I will never forgive you!"

Orochimaru grinned. "See Sasuke? They can't give you anything! They only wish to betray you and work with your murderer of a brother! I can give you the power to kill him."

"He's right kid," Kisame grinned, eyes glaring at Itachi, "While I would prefer to end his life myself, I'd have no problem with his little brother doing it."

Kakashi refused the urge to comment. Itachi's words floated about in his head.

"You must let me handle Sasuke in my own way. Do not interfere in anything I do to him? Are we clear?"

Kakashi honestly wasn't sure they were.

Before Sasuke could reply, there was a deep rumbling from beneath the floor.

"Everyone get back!" Kakashi yelled, leaping backwards as part of the floor erupted in a mass of stone and dirt. Everybody had managed to avoid the explosion, and Kakashi turned to Neji. "What do you see?"

Neji's frown turned into an impassive expression. "A toad?" His face changed emotion once more, turning into one of confusion. "And I can sense Naruto's chakra signature... in it's belly?"

Kakashi smiled softly to himself. "Seems like Jiraiya had the right idea, engraving a special summoning scroll on his jumpsuit."

A large, purple toad erupted from the dust, landing with a large thud. It gave a croak of acknowledgement to Kakashi, opening it's mouth wide.

Naruto slid down it's long tongue, collapsing in a heap, covered in slime and saliva. "My head..." he groaned.

Sasuke's eyes widened, and he was immediately at the blonde's side. "Naruto, you idiot! Where the hell did you run off too!?"

"Shut up Teme!" Naruto barked back at him, making a disgusted sound at the amount of slick goop on his clothes. "I didn't see you either!"

"Naruto, are you all right?" Kakashi asked, taking a step forward. Sasuke's glare stopped him in his tracks.

The Kyūbi Container looked between the two ninja, a puzzled look upon his whiskered face. "What the hell is wrong with you two?"

"I believe I am the problem."

Cerulean eyes met with obsidian, and Naruto became even more confused. "Eh? Who're you?" He paused for a moment. "Hey, you look just like Sasuke!"

Obsidian eyes snapped towards the blonde. "Shut up Naruto."

Naruto gulped, but nodded. "S-sorry you grumpy bastard."

"What happened?" Kakashi pressed, kneeling down to get to eye level with the blonde. Naruto took a moment to think, his fists clenching, eyes becoming dangerous.

"That bastard Mizuki! He said he'd kill Sakura, I'm going to tear his fucking head off-"

"Calm down Dobe," Sasuke slapped him lightly on head. "We need to-"

"Water Style: Shark Bomb Jutsu!"

A large shark made entirely of water shot out from the dust, it's jaws opened wide and ready to mangle it's prey with sharp serrated teeth.

In a heartbeat, Itachi was in front of his little brother and Naruto, weaving through hand-signs. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" An explosion of flame erupted from the Uchiha's mouth, clashing viciously with the water shark. The ferocious heat managed to beat the crushing water, pushing the shark back until it exploded.

As the fire also fizzled out, Itachi sighed, turning his attention to the two genin behind him. A disapproving frown was front and centre, "Keep on your guard."

Sasuke growled, his blood boiling. What right did that bastard have to tell him to keep on his guard!?

As the dust settled, it revealed Eliara, her hands slowly falling to her sides. "Impressive," She said, leaping back to Kisame's side. The Shark Ninja was still grinning, his eyes cutting and fierce.

"I don't like it when people interrupt me, Itachi. You should know that"

The Uchiha didn't respond, turning to check on the people behind him. If looks could kill, Sasuke's glare would've have stopped his heart in an instant. Naruto still looked between the two, confusion etched on his whiskered face. And Kakashi looked forlorn and tired all at once.

Neji's pearl-coloured eyes were staring straight at the Akatsuki in front of him, fists clenched, body stiff. "I say we take them out."

"While generally I would not be so hasty," Shino added after a few moments, adjusting his glasses, "I think it would be prudent."

Before the two could leap into action, Itachi's arm shot to the side, his mouth forming a slight frown. The two genin looked at one another, before turning their attention to the Uchiha.

"Hold on," he commanded, lowering his arm only when he was sure they wouldn't charge.

"Shino," Gai stated, turning his attention to the Aburame Clan Member. "Go and check on the wounded."

The Kikaichū user didn't respond, but headed off to do what the Jonin had ordered.

Neji stood, watching and waiting.

"Why?" Itachi's voice was cool, and yet held the smallest flicker of a boiling flame.

Kisame, his large weapon placed onto his shoulder as he gripped it tightly, began to frown. "As I stated Itachi, you left me alone, and I was forced to become errand boy. I was a lackey, and I am no-one's lackey! So, I hatched a plot, to not only kill you, but capture the Nine Tails Jinchuriki!"

Sasuke paused in his fierce glaring, turning to face his blonde teammate, who's grin at the prospect of battle did not reach his eyes. In fact, when he noticed Sasuke was looking at him, he turned his usually bright eyes to the floor.

Sasuke was going to press his teammate, but paused. No, he was probably wound up about Mizuki. He seemed to have got away, much to the Blonde's chagrin.

"And that's why you took them." Itachi stated. "To get to me, and Naruto, is that it?"

"Yeah! And now, we're going to kill you all!" Itsutori spat, hand resting on his hip. "I'm going to enjoy ripping apart your little team with my bare hands, Itachi!"

The Uchiha did not reply, and turned his head to face Kakashi. "I suggest you get ready."

"I'm not working with him!"

Itachi's eyes morphed into the Sharingan, cold and unforgiving. "You will do as commanded little brother."

Sasuke went to retort violently, but Kakashi's voice cut him off. "Enough Sasuke."

"You bastard-"

"Teme!" Naruto exclaimed, his vigor returning. "Do you want to save Sakura!?"

"Yes, but-"

"Then shut up and get ready to fight!" Cerulean eyes narrowed into amused slits, a grin stretching across his face. "Or, are you too scared? Afraid you can't keep up with me?"

Obsidian eyes wide, Sasuke snarled. "You little shit-"

"Enough."

Itachi's commanding tone caused them to close their mouths, although Sasuke did not do so without a fearsome glare.

Turning back around, The Uchiha stood resolute as he stared down the people in front of him. He felt the presence of Kakashi by his side, and Naruto at his other.

He noted with some amusement that Sasuke stood as far away from him as possible.

All members of the Rescue Team slipped into their Taijutsu stances, ready to spring at any moment.

"Remember Kisame," Orochimaru spoke, eyes alight with the fires of war. "Leave the Uchiha boy alive."

Kisame nodded. "Just as long as I get the Kyūbi brat and Itachi, I'll be fine."

"Kyūbi?" Sasuke spoke to himself, obsidian eyes wide. "Impossible..."

"OI YOU BASTARD!" Naruto shrieked, distracting Sasuke and making him lose his train of thought, "ONCE I TURN YOU INTO SUSHI AND YOUR BOYFRIEND INTO SNAKESKIN, I'M GOING TO FIND THAT BASTARD MIZUKI AND RIP OUT HIS FUCKIN' EYES! BELIEVE IT!"

Neji allowed a small smirk to play on his lips. "What he said."

Gai grinned, teeth blindingly white. "The fire's of youth burn strongly in you, Naruto!"

Kakashi eye-smiled.

Sasuke, despite the presence of his older brother, couldn't stop the smirk forming on his face.

And Itachi remained almost completely impassive, apart from the small up-turning of his lips.

Eliara withdrew her own sword from her sheath, green hair glinting slightly. Her mouth, contorted into a predatory grin, showed off exactly what she was feeling.

Kisame's own black eyes, filled with such arrogance, showcased what he wished, as he hefted his large blade from his shoulder, pointing at Itachi. "This'll be your end!"

Orochimaru licked his lips. "I'm going to enjoy playing with you, Sasuke..."

And Kabuto merely 'humphed'.

Raikiri still screaming in his hand, Kakashi got ready to fight for his life.

"Shizune!"

Before the fight could begin, a loud female voice cut through all the tension, if only for a moment. The sound of feet thudding against the ground soon filled the air, as six figures darted out from a wall that slowly creaked open. And they were carrying Sakura.

"Sakura!" Naruto's voice carried across the room, his feet pounding against the floor as he shot forward. A blur darted in front of him, and he veered back in fright.

Eliara's massive blade was held high into the air, ready to be brought down. The Akatsuki did so, looking to slice Naruto in half and splatter his organs all over the floor.

There was a sharp clang of metal as Kakashi appeared in front of Naruto, blocking the blade with a kunai. He shoved against her, both waging war with sharpened weapons. Eventually, Eliara broke off, taking a step backwards briefly. Shooting the two a sharp grin, he leapt over them.

She darted straight for Sasuke, who hastily raised a kunai to deflect whatever she tried to do. To his shock, she once again leapt high into the air, changing course. And heading straight for Itachi.

The Older Uchiha swivelled his body as she came crashing down, her blade embedding in the concrete with a loud crack. Palming a kunai, he used the momentum of his swivel to try and impale her. She ducked, ripping her blade out from the ground and swinging it around. Itachi blocked with his kunai, palming one more in his other hand. He pushed it forward, taking Eliara off guard as it slammed into her shoulder. She let out a cry of pain as blood seeped from the wound.

The wind was knocked out of her as Itachi landed a kick, sending her flying backwards. As she thudded to the floor next to Kisame, the Shark Ninja gestured with his hand. Itsutori leapt into action, weaving hand-signs.

He never got to finish them, as Gai blurred onto the scene, his fist colliding with the Akatsuki's face. He smashed roughly into the ground, spraying blood all over the floor. The Green Beast of Konoha then moved onto Kisame.

He was upon him in seconds, foot moving to strike him in the head. The Former Kiri Ninja ducked, causing Gai to swivel around back to his original position. Thrusting his fist forward, Kisame expected it to connect with Gai's chest. It didn't, as he twisted back the other way, foot poised for a vicious kick to the back of the head. Once more, Kisame ducked, reaching for Samehada. Grasping at the hilt, he pulled it up and swung it down hard. Gai reacted at a pace expected for a Jonin of his calibre, grasping a kunai from his pouch and blocking the giant sword. Grunting in exertion as Kisame used his massive strength to push downwards, Gai leapt back, disengaging his foe.

Kisame grinned, sharp rows of teeth glinting, baying for blood. "I'm going to enjoy taking down you Leaf Ninja's."

"Shizune!" Kurenai barked, wine red eyes filled with worry as she glanced down at the pinkette. Her face was pale and grey, almost as if life itself was being sucked out of her very soul. For all she knew, it very well could be. Sakura's usual vibrant jade eyes were lifeless and cold, the only signs of life being the occasional flicker from side to side. "Shizune!" She yelled again.

The Medical Ninja was by her side in moments, her brow furrowed. "What happened?" She questioned, looking at the group huddled around the sickly girl.

Tali's voice was soft and small. "I don't know! S-she-" her voice quivered slightly, but she regained her composure, "She just came down with a fever, and keeps passing out, and-"

"She'll be fine," Kura placed a gentle hand on the blonde girl's shoulder, squeezing it softly. "She's attractive."

"What does that have to do with anything?" Tali snapped. Kura grinned.

"Oh, it has to do with everything my dear. Everything."

"Will you two stop it," Kurenai barked once more, her gazing leaving Sakura for only a moment. "Well?" She questioned the Medical Ninja beside her.

Shizune frowned. "I'm... not sure. There shouldn't be anything wrong with her. I can't detect any virus, or anything that could cause any of this. And you say this fever came out of-"

She paused, eyes widening. "What is it?" Kurenai pressed.

"There's something odd going on. I didn't notice it before. It was subtle, but now..." She trailed off. "Something's taking over her body."

Tali felt her heart miss a beat. "What do you mean something is taking over her body!?"

"I'm not sure. Something small and microscopic is covering all of her cells at a rapid rate. I can't stop it, not at the rate it's spreading. I'm sorry."

"Damn it," Kurenai hissed. "Is there nothing you can do?"

"No, nothing to stem the thing that's taking over her body. I can, however, reduce her fever. But that's all."

Kiba, who'd be dead quiet during all of this, sniffed the air. Akamaru growled. "There's someone coming!"

Kura whirled around, before she grit her teeth. Kabuto.

She went through a flurry of hand-signs, eyes becoming darker and darker. Opening her mouth wide, black sludge shot out in a rapid fashion, pooling on the floor. After a few moments, it moved by itself, charging towards the Medical Ninja.

Kabuto stiffened, leaping to the side and spinning quickly, as the large pool of darkness turned into a giant tiger. It smashed into the ground, tearing up chunks of stone. But luckily for Kabuto, not flesh.

"Fang over Fang!"

Two grey cyclones spun into the air, homing in on their target. Kabuto dodged at the last second, panting heavily. Kiba and Akamaru slamming into the ground, causing tremendous cracks in the stonework.

"Water Style: Bubble Needle Jutsu!"

Tali formed an 'o' shape across her mouth, breathing into it steadily. A large ball of water shot forward, smashing into the ground next to Kabuto. Needles shot out in all directions, and The Medical Ninja was forced to weave through them. He grimaced as one caught his arm, a small spray of blood coating the floor. Finally, the barrage ended, and he got but a moments peace.

Kiba and Akamaru, turned into Kiba's form, attacked the Grey Haired Ninja with Taijutsu. Their flurry of attacks were fast and furious, but lacked grace, giving Kabuto the upper hand. As he twisted his body to avoid a strike, he was promptly cut in half.

Kura cursed, her cleaver like hand, dark as the night itself, returned to it's original form. Kabuto's body was now nothing more than rocks.

A deadly dance of Taijutsu was going on across the room. Neji and Kabuto ducked and weaved, dodged and swiveled. Neither gained the advantage, both striking out with their palms. The Hyūga with his Jyuuken, and The Medical Ninja with his chakra scalpels.

Neji ducked a slash that would've cut his wind-pipe in half, casually touching Kabuto's leg as he rolled forward. The Sound Ninja cried out in pain, face contorting wildly as he collapsed onto one knee.

Shino appeared in front of him, hand-signs having already been made. His Kikaichū buzzed around him, as he said, "Aburame Style: Insect Cyclone."

The Kikaichū formed a swirling cyclone, smashing into Kabuto and sending him flying backwards. As the insects dispersed he skidded across the ground, pain etched onto his features.

Neji nodded to Shino, and the Aburame nodded back. They turned on the Medical Ninja, who slowly healed his leg, and charged.

Pain. It wracked her body, getting into every crevice, every cell, every fibre of her being. It burned, her entire body covered in an invisible flame that charred her flesh. It licked at her lungs, and they ached. It clawed at her heart, and it beat rapidly, ready to explode out of her chest at any moment. Her head was filled with agony. She felt as though a thousand drills were boring into her skull, tearing and ripping up her brain as if it was paper But that wasn't the worst. Her shoulder was the worst.

An inferno ten times hotter than the sun was engulfing it, lighting sharper than any metal was striking it, and ravenous, hungry dogs were tearing into it.

The sounds of people speaking were almost utterly blotted out, such was the pain that spiked through her body.

Her skin was caked with sweat, the taste of iron prevalent on her tongue. Her throat was dry, drier than any sprawling desert that she was likely ever to see. It was only partially alleviated by the blood she could feel, slowly dripping down her tongue and into her throat.

But still, her shoulder felt like it was fit to burst.

And, with an agonizing cry, it did so.

Kakashi panted, the sadistic glint of Orochimaru's eyes still front and centre in his mind. He watched as Naruto sent Shadow Clone after Shadow Clone to fight the man, all being dispatched with relative ease by the Snake Sennin. Sasuke interjected with shuriken, but it was nowhere near good enough.

The Copy Ninja went to intervene, but the agonizing scream that slammed into his ears pierced his very core. His eyes snapped to the side, widening as he took in what he saw.

Impossible.

A large, thick tree was forming seemingly out of nowhere, it's roots, gnarled and torn, covering the walls and the floor in a rapid fashion. In a matter of moments, the tree had broken through the ceiling, stones and dirt falling to the ground, only to be swallowed by by the neverending sea of roots. Branches soon began to sprout, slamming and embedding themselves in the wall. It was like a plague, neverending and always moving. Leaves, bright and green, also began to form, covering the drab brown and grey into a vibrant flora. Still, the gnarled twisting roots dug into the stone and into the floor, and continued their descent.

Kakashi focused, on what he hoped his mind had imagined. But, there it was. A flash of pink hair. And roots pouring out of her body, forming the giant tree as she lay motionless.

The Copy Ninja swallowed, fear etched onto his face.

Sakura Haruno, the girl with civilian parents, was using Wood Style Jutsu.

And there we go! So, yes. Sakura possess the Wood Style Kekkei Genkai. How? Well, you'll just have to wait to find out! And yes, Kisame is the main mastermind behind this plan. Some of you may have guessed, if you noticed how Eliara used Water Shark Ninjutsu. So yeah!

On a more personal note, over here in England we're going to be hit by a huge storm. Forecasters are saying we might be hit with winds over 80mph. That should be fun...

But, enough about me, see you for chapter forty, and have a great morning/afternoon/evening/night!