Okay first of all thank you for the reviews and your opinions about Hinata's summons. As you know I can only choose one, and there was a suggestion given to me by a couple of people that really appealed to me so I'm gonna roll with that choice. Anyway you've probably had enough of me talking so let's move on with the chapter!

Chapter 18: Clash with Team 7

Hinata swallowed hard as she prepared to try her hand at summoning for the first time, while Naruto stood to the side incase something massive came out.

"Alright Hinata-chan, let's see it." Naruto commented.

Hinata nodded her head before shouting "Summoning Jutsu." Slamming her hand flat on the ground she waited for something to happen but nothing did.

"Um I don't understand." Hinata stated a bit perplexed at her failure.

Naruto grinned bashfully before speaking up. "Sorry but I forgot there's hand seals involved in summoning."

Hinata cast her head down partially sad that she wouldn't get to discover what the contract held.

Seeing Hinata's downcast look Naruto quickly came to her rescue. "Don't worry Hinata-chan I've seen Kassan summon Katsuyu plenty of times and remember the hand seals for it." Naruto assured Hinata. "Here let me show you." Naruto offered much to Hinata's delight.

The hand seals were basic enough that Hinata was able to memorize them in only a few minutes and she was now ready to give it another go.

Naruto went back to his standing position and cheered Hinata on once more. "Alright Hinata-chan this time for sure."

Hinata clenched her fist before biting down on her thumb and drawing blood as Naruto directed her. Flying through the hand seals required Hinata slammed her hand on the ground while simultaneously shouting "Summoning Jutsu!"

A small poof of smoke indicated that Hinata had succeeded in what she was trying to accomplish, and when the smoke finally cleared Hinata stared at what was crouched at her feet. "It's so cute." She squealed in delight.

"Wha, that's it!" Naruto shouted in disbelief while walking up to the tiny animal. "Damn I thought it was going to be something cool, not a useless cat." Naruto grumbled while picking up the tiny pitch black feline by the scruff of the neck and squinting his eyes at it.

The animal seemed to display a frown on its face at what Naruto had called it.

"I'm no cat bright eyes." The feline spoke in a childish tone reminiscent of a four year old girl, causing Hinata to squeak in surprise while Naruto was unfazed considering he heard giant slugs and Kakashi's dogs speak before.

"I think it's a baby panther." Hinata offered.

"Hmph well at least you seem smart unlike sunshine." The small panther jested.

"Say what!" Naruto barked out in indignation.

Ignoring Naruto's rage, the panther freed it's self from Naruto's grip and moved towards Hinata. "Please tell me it was you that summoned me and not sunkiss."

"Stop giving me such stupid nicknames." Naruto ordered.

"Why?" the panther asked innocently. "I think they fit you well."

"You little." Naruto hissed.

Hinata couldn't help but laugh at the exchange between Naruto and the tiny panther, but answered none the less. "Yes it was me that summoned you here." Hinata stated. "My name is Hinata and it's a pleasure to meet you…uh"

"Yonaka" The feline answered. "And it's an honor to meet you Hinata-sama."

Naruto folded his arms over his chest in irritation. "Oh nice you show Hinata-chan respect."

"No duh sunshine, she's my summoner after all." Yonaka retorted.

"Alright you hairball you've got one more time to call me that." Naruto warned.

Yonaka giggled. "I like him Hinata-sama he's very easy to tease."

"But it makes Naruto-kun upset when you do that." Hinata stated. "Perhaps you could be a bit easier on him?" Hinata suggested.

"Anything you say Hinata-sama." Yonaka confirmed.

"Nice to see you two were able to find something of interest." Shizune cut in while making her presence known."

"S-Shizune-sensei." Hinata began, but Shizune cut her off.

"Before you begin to try and explain I'll say there's no need for it." Shizune assured Hinata. "Besides we weren't sent here to retrieve anything specific so you have the rights to what ever you found. I just can't believe it was something so valuable." Shizune added.

"But enough about that, it's about time we've found Haku-kun and make our way back to the village." Shizune explained.

Both Hinata and Naruto nodded their understanding at what they were told before Naruto raised his hand.

"What is it Naruto-kun?" Shizune asked.

"Um what are we going to do with all these guys?" Naruto questioned curiously.

"Leave them." Shizune stated simply. "It's not part of our mission to do otherwise." Shizune finished.

(Elsewhere)

"Where the hell am I!" Tazuna shouted as he observed the strange world he'd been sent to. It appeared as though he was simply floating in an empty void of space. With nothing to keep him company apart from the numerous doors floating ominously around him.

"You're in a pocket dimension of my own creation." A voice spoke from behind Tazuna.

Tazuna instantly turned around to find himself staring at Yakumo.

"A pocket dimension? Little girl what the hell are you talking about?" Tazuna demanded.

"To understand you must understand my power." Yakumo explained. "My kekkei genkai grants me the ability to cast Genjutsu so powerful they can actually manifest real effects. For my most powerful illusions I use paintings as a conduct, simply put reality reflects what ever is on the painting."

"You're freaking me out kid." Tazuna replied uneasily. "There's no way someone could have that kind of power."

Yakumo showed no response if Tazuna's words bothered her, but pressed on. "When I erased you from the portrait I drew up earlier, you were erased from that plain of existence and brought here." Yakumo concluded.

Tazuna's eyes widened. "If this is true, you could simply beat anyone you wanted to by erasing them from existence then right?"

Yakumo chuckled slightly. "I'm afraid my powers aren't on a scale as grand as that." Yakumo summarized while pointing to one of the numerous doors floating by. "If I bring anyone here, it's a simple matter of them just choosing one of these doors to enter back into our plain of existence. Although if you choose the wrong one, you will end up in a different location then you started, but regardless you'll be back on our plain of existence."

"Wait a minute, are you telling me when I want to get out of here that if I choose the wrong door I could end up on the opposite side of the god damn world!" Tazuna shouted in disbelief.

"If you were an enemy yes, but luckily for you, you're not." Yakumo assured Tazuna while pointing to the door directly behind him. "That's your door; when it's time for you to return take it."

"How will I know when it's time for me to return?" Tazuna asked curiously.

Yakumo stared down at the floor, and a wide hole opened revealing what was currently going on, on the outside world. "You'll watch the fight through my own eyes." Yakumo explained. "If you witness us win the battle take the door. If we lose, I suggest you take another door, that way you'll at least be transported away from here. But if I die, leave immediately, for you'll only have seconds before being trapped here forever." Yakumo warned.

Tazuna's eyes widened in shock "Trapped?"

Yakumo nodded her head. "Without my life-force to sustain this dimension, each door will vanish trapping you here indefinitely."

"I can't believe you ninja are capable of such things." Tazuna muttered as he began to watch what was taking place on the outside world through the hole in the floor.

(Outside World)

Kimimaro, Sasuke, and Yakumo took in their surroundings after being transported. Apart from feeling a bit disoriented from the transport they were fine.

"Ah how nice of you to join me." Utakata stated calmly from the rock he was lying on directly in front of the trio.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes at the boy in front of them as he watched him casually blow bubbles with his bubble blower as though he was completely bored with the situation. "So you're the one responsible for the bubbles then?"

"That I am." Utakata replied casually, while sitting up on the rock and smirking at team seven. "So it looks like I have an Uchiha, Kaguya, and a Kurama to entertain me today."

"Who the hell are you?" Yakumo demanded. "And how do you know what clan's were from?"

"For your first question my name is Utakata." He answered in a matter of fact tone. "And as for how I know who you are… well the Uchiha and Kurama crest that you two dawn are perfect giveaways." Utakata noted, as his eyes shifted to Kimimaro. "And I'd recognize those red markings from a mile away."

"So you're familiar with my clan?" Kimimaro inquired.

"To some degree." Utakata answered. "Although there isn't much to know about them. They were a savage gang of mindless fools, in other words the primates of the ninja that resided in our native homeland."

"I see." Kimimaro stated not indicating if Utakata's words had offended him in the slightest.

'As cool as the other side of the pillow, this one here.' Utakata assessed while eyeing Kimimaro carefully. 'Even after insulting his deceased clan, he maintains a professional composure. I'll need to be on my toes with this one.'

Not enjoying the silence Yakumo cut in. "So what did you bring us here for anyway, if were just going to talk with each other?"

Utakata smirked as he turned his attention to Yakumo. "Apart from me separating you from your sensei, I figure we'll have our own fun if you refuse to hand over the old man." Utakata explained.

"Forget it, we promised the bridge builder that we would help him." Sasuke retorted. "So unless you're going to force it out of us, direct us back to Kakashi-sensei."

Utakata sighed. "To be honest I was hoping we wouldn't have to fight. Don't you agree it would be a lot simpler for you to just hand over the man, and we could call it a day? After all even if you don't hand him over willingly the results will still be the same."

"Presumptive considering we haven't yet fault." Kimimaro countered.

Utakata shrugged his shoulders. "It's not really my style to fight kid's fresh out of the academy, but if you insist I guess I can entertain you."

Upon Utakata's words Team seven shifted into their appropriate stances.

Utakata took that as his cue to stand completely up from the rock he was perched on and eyed his challengers carefully. "Why don't you all come at me at once, that way it will go faster?"

"Damn this guy is cocky." Yakumo muttered.

"Agreed" Kimimaro stated. "He seems to only be a couple years older then us, yet he's so confident in his own abilities."

"So how should we engage him then?" Sasuke questioned.

"Our team is suited for all three levels of combat." Kimimaro answered. "There has to be one style of combat he isn't proficient in. So we'll hit him with everything at once."

"I get it" Sasuke replied with a smirk. "You'll hit him with Taijutsu, while I handle most of the Ninjutsu, and Yakumo will deal with Genjutsu."

"Precisely." Kimimaro answered tightly before dashing in with incredible speed.

"Hm, so let's get this started then." Utakata stated while preparing himself to take Kimimaro head on.

(Meanwhile)

Zabuza chuckled mirthfully as his zanbato battled with Kakashi's kunai for dominance. "What's wrong Kakashi?" Zabuza goaded. "Worried about those babies parading around as ninja?"

Kakashi pushed back Zabuza's zanbato and flipped backwards to put some distance between the two of them. "

"Actually no." Kakashi answered casually. "Without them here I can fight you at full force without worrying about their safety." Kakashi claimed.

Zabuza sneered beneath his wraps. "Surely you're worried about my colleague." Zabuza challenged.

"Not really." Kakashi returned coolly. "Not only are my students well trained, I have no reason to believe that your colleague could be as powerful as you are. And to be blunt I wouldn't be surprised if my students could give you a run for your money."

Zabuza chuckled once again. "Trying to rile me up, eh?" Zabuza assessed. "You and I both know those green Genin haven't even earned the right to call themselves ninja."

"If you truly believe that, then why so concerned about my students then?" Kakashi pried. "Or perhaps it's just your way of assuring yourself that your associate will come out on top."

"Don't joke with me Kakashi." Zabuza warned. "You know as well as I do those kids of yours are as good as dead."

"We'll see." Kakashi stated coldly while reaching into his flack jacket, and pulling out a handful of smoke bombs.

"Heh going old school huh?" Zabuza acknowledged while eyeing the copy cat ninja carefully. "And here I was expecting a good fight from one as renowned as you. Oh well, life is always full of disappointments."

"Say that after you're face first in the dirt." Kakashi suggested, before tossing the smoke bombs at his own feet.

Zabuza watched as the smoke filled the area completely obscuring his vision. 'This fool forgets to whom he's facing.' Zabuza thought, slightly amused with Kakashi tact. 'Fighting in these conditions complement my silent killing technique quite well.' Zabuza confirmed, just as he felt a slight rumble from beneath his feet.

"Childs play." Zabuza mocked as Kakashi's hand sprang from underneath him and tired to grab him by the ankle. "Zabuza easily dodged Kakashi's attempt and retaliated by driving his blade directly into the earth where Kakashi's hand had sprung from.

A resulting pop accompanied by smoke informed Zabuza that'd he'd only killed a shadow clone and not the real thing.

Zabuza's attention was suddenly brought to his rear by the sound of crackling resonating from behind him.

"Lighting style: Lighting Current!" Kakashi shouted while slamming his lighting infused hand on the ground.

Zabuza's eyes slightly widened as he watched the lighting spread across the ground in a spider web like fashion. Having only one option Zabuza leapt off the ground to avoid the attack, but didn't have time to counter the incoming shadow clone that had already positioned itself above him.

'Damn it, that attack was merely bait to force me into the air.' Zabuza thought as the Kakashi clone brought its foot directly down onto his face sending him rocketing back down to the awaiting earth below.

Zabuza hit the ground with a loud thump but simply burst into water upon impact.

Kakashi quirked his eyebrow before side rolling to avoid the jet of water aimed for his back.

"Hehe, so maybe this fight won't be so boring after all." Zabuza stated casually from his position on top of the nearby lake. "So what do you say Kakashi, was that a sufficient warm up?"

Kakashi smirked beneath his mask. "I think that will do for a warm up." Kakashi agreed.

"Good." Zabuza added before creating a hand seal. "Time to set the playing field." Zabuza concluded as the area began to be covered in mist.

'So this is the hidden mist Jutsu?' Kakashi mused to himself. 'I guess I should be on my toes from here on out then.'

(Meanwhile)

Kimimaro launched himself at Utakata with blinding speed that actually surprised Utakata himself.

'He's swift.' Utakata noted while bringing up his forearm to block Kimimaro's spinning kick. The kick after connecting pushed Utakata back but he remained firm. 'And damn strong too.' Utakata concluded while wincing slightly from the impact.

Kimimaro smirked, upon seeing Utakata's reaction. "Seems Taijutsu may not be your strong point after all."

"Not quite." Utakata countered. "It's just your speed, accompanied with your bone density made it feel as though I was being hit with steel as opposed to flesh. But regardless…" Utakata started before dropping low and returning fire at Kimimaro with an upward kick that caught him in the chin and sent him airborne.

Before Utakata could capitalize on Kimimaro with a mid air onslaught he was suddenly struck heavily in the back by a fireball Jutsu curtsey of Sasuke.

The attack sent him crashing hard into a nearby tree destroying it on impact.

Having the needed time to recover Kimimaro landed smoothly next to Sasuke. "Is he finished?" Kimimaro asked while keeping his eyes fixated on the dust and smoke created from the attack.

"I doubt it." Sasuke answered shortly. "Just by the calmness in this guys eyes I can tell were not dealing with a pushover. "

To further Sasuke's point the sound of clapping from behind caused them to whirl around to face it.

"Wow that was actually pretty good." Utakata congratulated as he walked away from behind a tree while smirking at them. "And here I thought my bubble clone would be enough to beat you guys."

"Bubble clone?" Kimimaro repeated.

"It's a pity really, but I guess it looks like I really do have to get my hands dirty." Utakata stated while shrugging. "Oh well, you guys don't want to listen to reason so what else can I do?"

"So anymore ideas?" Sasuke questioned dryly. "Or should we wing it from here on out?"

"He's strong, but I have an idea." Kimimaro explained while turning his attention to Yakumo. "Yakumo-chan, me and Sasuke will buy you the time to create something to turn this fight in our favor."

"What do you have in mind?" Yakumo asked bluntly.

"I don't know get creative." Kimimaro answered as he turned his attention back to Utakata.

Yakumo nodded her understanding and pulled out a scroll. Applying chakra to it a blank canvas and painting supplies popped out and she quickly began to work on it.

"So what are you guys planning eh?" Utakata asked curiously. "I highly doubt that girl is painting for the mere fun of it."

"Don't let Yakumo-chan's hobby concern you." Kimimaro suggested. "Instead focus on the two in front of you." Kimimaro finished while pulling his kimono top over his head and discarding the garment on the ground.

A moment later sharp thin bones began to protrude from his torso until he vaguely resembled a living pincushion. "Blocking my hits in this state will prove quite devastating to your health." Kimimaro warned while shifting back into a Taijutsu stance, and Sasuke did the same.

"I guess I'll have to be careful then, won't I?" Utakata mocked while bringing his bubble blower to his lips. "Let me show you my style of Ninjutsu." Utakata offered as he blew into his instrument causing a couple dozen or so balloon size bubbles to form.

"You'll find each of my bubbles hold a surprise inside." Utakata stated as the bubbles began to float slowly towards Sasuke and Kimimaro.

"We need to be careful." Kimimaro warned. "Last time his bubbles contained a corrosive substance."

"Then test it out." Sasuke, suggested.

Kimimaro nodded before extending his hand forward and pointing his finger at one of the incoming bubbles. "Drilling finger bullet." Kimimaro muttered as he shot one finger bullet towards the nearest bubble.

Kimimaro's bone forged bullet hit the opposing bubble causing it to explode in a vibrant flash.

"Shit these one's explode." Sasuke grumbled irritably.

"You know you could have just asked me what these specific bubbles do." Utakata mused. "It's not like knowing will make your situation any less grim." Utakata claimed as the bubbles suddenly picked up speed and barreled towards them.

Seeing the danger Sasuke made to dodge, but Kimimaro leapt in front of him. "Stay behind me." Kimimaro ordered while slamming his fist into the ground. "Ninja art: Skeletal Enforcement!" Kimimaro shouted as a solid wall of bone erected from the ground in front of him.

Utakata watched with an amused expression as his bubbles hit the wall of bone and exploded completely shrouding the area in dust and smoke.

Once it settled Kimimaro's wall of bone collapsed from the damage it had suffered revealing him standing there with an unreadable expression on his face.

Utakata's smirked after noticing Sasuke wasn't standing behind Kimimaro like he had been before the wall rose. "Nice try Uchiha." Utakata praised as he swirled around and ducked his head to avoid Sasuke's round house. "But not good enough." He concluded as he tried to cram his fist into Sasuke's gut, but Sasuke caught Utakata's arm in between the pits of his arms.

"You talk too much." Sasuke stated while leaping up and driving his knee into Utakata's chin.

The blow sent Utakata stumbling backwards, and Sasuke quickly followed up with a brutal flying kick to his gut that sent him sailing in Kimimaro's direction.

Spotting his opportunity, Kimimaro quickly raced in and brought a heavy knee down onto Utakata's gut sending him crashing into the ground forcibly.

"You're finished." Kimimaro claimed while reeling his spiky fist back and slugging Utakata directly in the face, tearing a deep gash into it."

Utakata let out a hiss in pain before placing his feet underneath Kimimaro's gut and thrusting the bone clad ninja off him. Utakata had then lifted himself out of the dirt and brushed himself off. The amusement once portrayed on his face was long gone, replaced by a controlled fury.

Sasuke smirked at seeing how ruffled Utakata had become. "I guess you aren't so tough after all."

"Up until now I've been merely playing." Utakata retorted calmly as the wind around them began to whip violently and a whitish chakra began to engulf his body in a shapeless mass.

"What the hell." Sasuke muttered as he watched the gash on Utakata's face mend it's self in mere seconds.

'Impossible.' Kimimaro thought while observing the feat Utakata had accomplished. 'This chakra feels somewhat similar to Naruto's except more fierce. Even the healing factor is something I've only seen unique to myself and Naruto alike…what the hell is this guy?'

"By the look on your face, I'm to assume you recognize the danger you're in?" Utakata spoke to Kimimaro before turning his attention back to Sasuke. "You on the other hand need enlightening." Utakata stated before dashing in with his newly acquired speed directly at Sasuke.

"Shit!" Kimimaro cursed while using his own speed to beat Utakata to the punch. Shouldering Sasuke out of the way Kimimaro took a direct elbow to the face from Utakata that sent him skidding across the ground tearing it in his wake.

"Kimimaro-kun!" Yakumo shouted as she watched Kimimaro bounce off the ground like a skipping stone on the surface of a lake.

The force of the blow was enough to send Kimimaro plowing through several trees before finally coming to a stop.

Sasuke eyes' widened at seeing what could have been him, hadn't Kimimaro pushed him out of the way. 'Damn Kimimaro, why did you have to go and do that?' Sasuke thought angry with himself for having allowed some else to be hurt in his stead.

Utakata quirked his eyebrow, before reverting his attention back to Sasuke. "That was noble of your teammate to take a blow that could very well end his life. Or perhaps even foolish."

"Shut up." Sasuke hissed in a low growl. "I'll make you pay for that."

"Interesting, your chakra levels seem to have increased." Utakata noted. "Although they still pale in comparison to that of my own."

"I said shut up!" Sasuke shouted while charging in to engage Utakata.

Utakata easily blocked Sasuke's attempt at a haymaker and countered with a vicious blow to Sasuke's gut that expelled the wind from his lungs. Quickly following up his attack Utakata hit Sasuke with a barrage of blows that were too fast for the Uchiha to counter.

'Damn it, his hits are too fast for me to see let alone counter.' Sasuke thought as Utakata rained down blow after blow. 'At this rate I'll die…' Sasuke thought as a fire in his spirits ignited. 'No! until I've killed Itachi I'm not going to die!' Sasuke mentally screamed as time it self seemed to suddenly slow down for the Uchiha.

"What the hell?" Utakata commented as Sasuke managed to block his next blow.

Tilting his battered face up towards Utakata Sasuke smirked. "Seems it's finally awakened." Sasuke stated while glaring directly into Utakata's eyes.

"So that's the famed Sharingan is it?" Utakata mused while staring into Sasuke's blood red eyes. "Although it's a little too late to help you, I mean you can hardly stand."

"Idle talk." Sasuke claimed as he tried to deliver an uppercut to Utakata's jaw.

Utakata made to dodge it, but unfortunately for Utakata, Sasuke's newly acquired Sharingan showed him exactly how Utakata would avoid it. Sasuke quickly adjusted his blow to compensate for Utakata's dodge and connected a solid hit that sent him reeling backwards.

"So the rumors are true then about those eyes of yours." Utakata stated with annoyance laced on his lips, just as the ground beneath him began to rumble. "What the hell?" Utakata stated as bones erupted from the ground around him until they formed a solid cage trapping him inside.

"Sasuke do it now!" Kimimaro commanded as he emerged from underneath the ground.

Not needing to be told twice Sasuke began flipping through hand seals. "Fire style: Fired Pottery Technique!" Sasuke shouted while shooting a stream of fire into the bone forged cage, setting the entire thing ablaze.

Turning his attention to Kimimaro who apart from his torn pants looked to be unharmed Sasuke smirked at him. "So how did you come out of that unscathed?"

"I thought you've known me long enough to know I'm hardly susceptible to physical attacks." Kimimaro answered.

"I guess." Sasuke returned before reverting his eyes back to the fire that was still burning full force.

"Do you think he's finished?" Kimimaro questioned as he too watched the inferno.

"He'd better be, I'm pretty much spent on chakra. Not to mention that combined attack was the strongest move we've got in our arsenal." Sasuke answered.

"Agreed, if he survives that…" Kimimaro never got the chance to finish for the burning cage suddenly exploded outward sending shrapnel in all directions. Sasuke, and Kimimaro managed to avoid the flaming projectiles and stared opened mouthed at what was standing before them.

"I'm impressed you managed to push me to this state." Utakata's voice sounded as the fire died down around him.

"What the hell are you?" Sasuke questioned, as he stared at Utakata that now had a chakra shroud around him shaped in a form of a slug with one thick tail flailing behind him.

(Meanwhile)

Kakashi wasn't particularly fairing well against Zabuza in the thickness of the mist. Apart from a few good blows he had managed to get in on Zabuza, it went without say that Zabuza was getting the better of Kakashi.

Kakashi suddenly went rigid and his eyes widened as he felt a sudden surge of chakra coming form a short distance. "What the hell, that chakra it's monstrous."

Zabuza frowned as well. "I commend you Kakashi." Zabuza cut in on Kakashi's thoughts. "Your brats must not be half bad to force Utakata to use this amount of power."

"That chakra, I've felt similar." Kakashi noted. "Surely your colleague isn't a…"

"Hehe, hit the nail on the head huh?" Zabuza chuckled. "So you realize your situation is pretty much hopeless then?"

"To the contrary, it only means you have even less time to live." Kakashi stated coldly as lightning engulfed his hand. 'Hold on team.' Kakashi thought as he prepared to end his fight with Zabuza.

Well there you have it folk's chapter 18. I hope it was decent considering I was half asleep while writing it. Anyway please review and what not an I'll catch you with the next chapter later.