Well here we are Chapter Eight has arrived. I gotta say this was th emost challenging chapter to write for some reason. Oh well, let's get to the legal stuff:

I don't own Naruto. Kishi does. For now....Mwahahahaha!

Thanks to last weeks Reviewers:

GravenImage, sipuli123, gilmaxter, Brokkers, DeathMVP.

And the Responces:

sipuli123: Thanks for catching that spelling Error, it has been fixed.

gilmaxter: Thanks for the praise regarding the fight scenes. It was my first time writing that I was nervous about getting right.

Graven, Brokkers, DeathMVP: Thanks for the praise.

And Now on the the Chapter. Remember Reviews are welcomed!

Naruto: Chronicles of the Seventh

Book One: Dissension

Chapter Eight: The Final Mission of Team Three

"Konohamaru," he could hear the familiar voice call out to him, "Konohamru," it was his mother, her voice sounded like the sweetest music. Konohamaru, she said again. Turning to face her, he saw her warm smile, that seemed to light up everywhere around him. Then she reached out, to pick him up, as she had done so many times before. "Konohamru, my son," she said, "It's time to get up." And as he reached out for her she began to fade to be replaced by the warm morning sun.

Slowly, painfully, Konohamaru awoke. Looking to his right he saw Sakura looking down upon him smiling. "Nice to see your awake sleepy head," she said. "You've been out for almost two days. For awhile there I thought you might be milking your situation a bit." "Sakura-neechan," he said, "Where am I? What's going on?"

Taking a wet towel and wiping his forehead Sakura responded, "We're still in The Land of Lightning. We're in a cave a few miles from where we found you. You were in pretty bad shape. In fact I'm not sure how you're even alive right now. But luckily I was able to stabilize your wounds. You won't be fighting for awhile and you'll have to get used to having a pretty nasty looking scar on you back but you'll live."

Konohamru for a while just laid down allowing the warm sun to wash over him. He could still barely move and didn't try to. He could feel that his head was thickly bandaged and his shirt, what was left of it was removed and his chest wrapped in bandages as well. Forcing his mind to recall everything that had brought him to this moment he suddenly remembered the last thing he saw before losing consciousness. "Naruto-niisama," he said, "Was I dreaming? Was that Naruto-niisan who saved me?" "Yes," Sakura answered, "He returned to Konoha while you were away. We were sent here to find out what Akatsuki was up to…..and to find you as well."

"Wow," Konohamaru said while smiling, "He's actually back. I bet he beat those asshole ninja on his own didn't he?" "Pretty much," said Sakura, "Seeing what they did to you upset him a lot. He really beat them badly. He may have even killed their leader, but I'm not sure." "Serves those bastards right," Konohamaru responded, "They deserve worse than that for what they've done." "Never say that," Naruto said as he and Sai returned. "Konohamru," Naruto said, "Remember, that though they are our enemies they are still someone's brother, husband and friend. The only way we will ever find peace in this world is to first understand that and honor it."

Konohamaru, bit his lip slightly, as though he wanted to say something, but in the end didn't. Sitting next to Konohamaru, Naruto smiled, "But whatever," he said, "That's not important now. How do you feel?" "I'll be alright," Konohamaru said, "It'll take some time but I'll be back in no time." "Good," Naruto responded, "Now if you're up to it, we need to know what happened and where the rest of your team is."

Sakura handed Konohamaru, a large flask of water, which he drank down quickly. Once finished he turned to Naruto and began his painful story.

Forest – Five days ago

"What do you mean I'm being irrational," Moegi yelled. "I'm just saying," Konohamaru responded, "That sometimes you blow things out of proportion. I mean there was no reason to hit me back there." "There damn well was a reason," Moegi said, "You were telling Udon that you perfected a new Sexy Jutsu and that you would show him when we got back. You're being perverted and disgusting!"

"See what I mean," he said, "You're just over-reacting. I mean the Sexy Jutsu is an actual ninja art. You never know when I'll have to use it in battle." "Pssh," Moegi said, "The day you actually use that technique is the day I…." "Be quiet the both of you!" Konohamaru and Moegi turned to see Ebisu and Udon as they landed on the large tree branch they were standing on.

"Ebisu-sensei," Konaohamuru said, "We were just…." "I don't want to hear it," Ebisu said angrily. "Have the two of you forgotten that we are on a mission here, a dangerous one at that, one that requires stealth, and silence? Instead of keeping to that, you two are arguing so loudly I'm sure you can be heard in Konoha!"

Being berated by their sensei, Konohamaru and Moegi bowed their heads in embarrassment. Speaking to all three of his students, Ebisu continued, "You three have only recently become Chunin. And that means much more is expected of you. This is not some C or D ranked mission. This is an A ranked mission. We are in dangerous territory and we must all be careful."

"Now," he continued, "Udon and I have located what appears to be an abandoned Akatsuki base. Remember, we are doing reconnaissance only. We are not to engage the enemy unless we are forced." Ebisu looked at the young faces before him, seeing the confidence in their eyes. Not long ago, these three were mere children, trying to find their place in the Ninja world.

Today, their eyes, he could see they were on the verge of finding that place and it made him proud to be apart of it. "Let's move," Ebisu said as he leapt to a nearby tree branch and headed towards the Akatsuki base; behind him, Udon, Moegi and Konohamaru followed closely.

Two hours later Team Three arrived at what appeared to be nothing more than a large mountain wall; placed in front lay a large boulder. "Accoring to out intel," Ebisu said, "There is an Akatsuki stronghold located within this mountain. Everyone please search the area and look for a switch to open the door." Spreading out, everyone searched. Moegi was the one to find the switch which was disguised as a small pebble attached to the wall. Slowly the large boulder moved off to the side and a large tunnel was visable.

"Udon," Ebisu said, "You know what to do." "Yes Sensei," Udon responded. Making several handsigns Udon placed his hand to the ground and said, "Summoning Jutsu!" Suddenly, beneath his hand there appeared a little robin. The robin flew up and hovered in front of his face and tweeted gently. Smiling Udon responded, "Nice to see you too Lilly," he said. "Now you know what to do." Lilly immediately turned around and flew into the cavern.

Minutes passed and as Konohamaru and the others began to get restless, Lilly emerged, flying directly to Udon and landing on his outstretched hand. Tweeting gently, Udon listened and then turned to his comrades, "Lilly says no ones in there and there doesn't seem to be any traps laid." "Alright," Ebusu said, "Good work Udon. Let's go everyone and remember to stay in formation." Udon chirped back and Lilly disappeared in a puff of smoke. Together Team Three cautiously entered the tunnel.

Inside the tunnel was dark and smelled of decay. Team Three walked down the long dark entrance when suddenly the tunnel seemed to open up to a large cavernous space. Ebisu reached into his field pack and removed a small torch which he then lit. With the torch lit they could see the full dimensions of the cavern.

The floor of the cavern was muddy, with many rocks of different sizes scattered about. There were a few pieces of wooden chairs around the room. Many of them were decaying and others broken. In the center of the space there was a large wooden table with worn and illegible documents strewn about. Of to the side two old and moldy mattresses laid of to the side. And somewhere in the darkness the sound of stale water could be heard dripping.

"Alright," Ebisu said, "Everyone spread out and look to see if we can find any evidence regarding Akatsuki's movements." Konohamaru, Moegi, Ebisu and Udon began searching the entire area but hours past and nothing of importance was found. Dejected, Konohamaru sat on one of the chairs. "Well," he said, "This was a big waste of time. Nothing's here." "Don't be so sure," yelled Moegi. Konohamaru and the others looked at her suddenly and ran over to see what she had found. "I found this document in the fireplace," she said as she handed it to Ebisu, "Looks like the tried to destroy it but some of the paper made it."

Ebisu held the torch up to the document and read it. "My God," he said, "This is terrible!" "What is it," Konohamaru asked. Swallowing hard, Ebisu said, "Well from what I can read Akatsuki has operatives in every village. And in the Cloud village they have one agent who leads the Infinity Squad. This is it, with this information we could weed out Akatsuki spies throughout the villages. We must get outside. Udon when we do you'll summon a messenger bird to send word to Konoha."

Immediately they all turned and left the cavern. Once on the outside Udon immediately summoned another bird and Ebisu attached a note he had hastily written and the bird was sent off. Before the bird got very high a kunai hit it, killing it instantly. "Well, well," Said a voice from the shadows, "It seems we have found some mice where they should not belong." Out of the trees a group of fifteen cloud ninja dropped from the trees and immediately surrounded Team Three.

One of the Ninja stepped forward, "What are Leaf Ninja doing trespassing in Kumogakure?" "We are searching for Akatsuki," Ebisu said. "And what would Akatsuki be doing here," the Ninja responded, "We have reason to believe," said Ebisu, "that Akatsuki have infiltrated your government and this document is the proof." "Is that so," said the Ninja. Moving quicker than anyone could track the ninja moved towards Ebisu while making hand signs. Drawing a wind Scythe the Ninja sliced of Ebisu's arm and pulled the document from the severed hand.

Smiling he said, "Well we can't have that can we?" Ebisu screamed in pain and fell to his knees as the others watched in horror. "If this information was released," said the ninja, "it could prove troublesome for Akatsuki. Kill them." Udon, Konohamaru and Moegi leapt in front Ebisu with kunai drawn. Konohamaru made a few hand signals and created clones who immediately engaged the enemy. Udon, biting his thumb, placed blood on his palm and struck the ground, "Summoning Jutsu! Hundred Bird Assault!"

From under Udon's hand several hundred birds emerged and attacked the ninja. "So," said the Squad Leader, "That kid can summon birds? That technique could be troublesome." The Squad Leader began running through battlefield slicing his way through birds and clones on his way to Udon. Seeing his approach Udon drew two kunai in time to block the Squad Leader's first assault. "Very good kid," he said. Once again the Squad Leader attacked, swinging his scythe again and again.

Seeing Udon in trouble, Konohamaru tried to make his way to him but was intercepted by two Cloud Ninja. Using his Kunai, Konohamaru began to battle the two ninja as Moegi did her best to protect Ebisu against the one Ninja who made his way to them. Udon was in a panic, doing his best to keep up with the Squad Leaders movements. "You're pretty good, but it's time to end this."

The Squad Leader attacked again, bringing the scythe down with blinding speed Udon was barely able to block the attack, but as he did so he felt an incredible pain in his chest. Looking down he saw that the Squad Leader had another scythe and had buried it deep into his chest. "Guess you weren't good enough," the Squad Leader said while smiling.

Watching in horror Konohamaru screamed, "Udon!" Konohamaru stabbed one of the ninja in the stomach and kicked the other away. Making hand signals Konohamaru screamed, "Multi-shadow Clone Jutsu!" Creating several dozen clones they all produced smoke bombs and threw them down to the ground creating an all encompassing smoke cloud.

When the smoke cleared Konohamaru and the others were gone. The Squad Leader looked around and observed the carnage that had been left around him. Three of his ninja were dead, but that didn't matter. "You four track them. The rest of you remain with me. We have to clean up this mess and hide the cavern, we can't afford for this to be discovered again."

Leaping through the trees Konohamaru's mind was racing. He was carrying Udon's unconscious form on his back and could feel a warm liquid on his upper back and knew it was Udon's blood. "Hold on buddy, just hold on," he said. Behind him Moegi was helping Ebisu leap thought trees. "Konohamru," Ebisu said, "We need to find a place to rest and tend to our injuries."

After a few minutes Konohamaru spotted a cave and they all took refuge inside. Laying Udon gently down, Moegi began to tend to his wound while instructing Konohamaru on how to attend to Ebisu's severed arm. After a few minutes Moegi came to Konohamaru and Ebisu who were sitting off to the side nervously. "I've stabilized his wound," she said, "But I'm only a novice at medical Ninjutsu, We need to get him back to Konoha if he's going to make it. If I were Sakura-chan, Lady Tsunade or Ino perhaps I could save him but I need help."

"Then you'll have to go for help Konohamaru," Ebisu said. "Me," Konohamaru replied, "But what about you guys?" "No," Ebisu replied, "I'm in no shape to help you, in fact I'll just slow you down. And Moegi has to remain here to tend to Udon. You have to do this alone." Konohamaru looked concerned. "Don't worry about us," Moegi said, "we'll be fine until you return."

Konohamaru rose to his feet ."Alright, he said, "I'll get us help. Moegi, do what you can. I won't let you down." Taking one last look at Udon's unconscious body Konohamaru turned and exited the cave.

Forest - Now

As Konohamaru ended his story, he laid back down as Sakura gave him more water for his dry lips. Naruto had risen from his seat and was standing at the entrance to the cave, his hands clenched tight into fists. He turned to Sakura, "Will he be able to move soon?" Sakura looked at Konohamaru and then to Naruto, "He's pretty resilient. Konohamaru, you won't be practicing Ninjutsu anytime soon, but you should be able to move around by tomorrow." "Good," said Naruto, "Tomorrow morning, we set out to find the rest of your team."

Naruto looked out to the forest and saw a robin on a branch looking back. We will save you, he thought, I swear it.