Hello people! Hope you guys like this chapter and sorry for taking so long, but I got my new laptop and I had to take care of some other things. I was also busy with school. My brother took a break from work and so we have been spending some time together. At least I'll update regularly from now on. Thanks to Hibiki-chan, Lyris88, MistFairie93, ruler of dragons, larrycucumber2, tru-viet, and AkatsukiUchihaItachi for reviewing. Please review, the sooner you review the sooner I update and the more reviews I receive the more I write. Now, on with the story!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, but the lovely Rei and the bad guys.

Chapter Seventeen

Sasuke looked at Rei and then at Hametsu. He growled at the man that had dared to hurt his friend. He watched as he smirked wickedly and Rei laid there in shock. He could tell that she was worried about them, but he wouldn't let her get hurt. He would fight to get her back and make sure that she was never taken away from him again.

"Well, it looks like I'll have to kill your friends after all." Hametsu said toRei.

"No, leave them alone! Let's just go, they aren't a threat to us."

"Sorry brat, but I won't take any risks."

Hametsu charged at them, but Kakashi blocked his attack. He turned to the others.

"Take Rei and get out of here. I'll take care of this guy."

They nodded and went over to Rei.

"Rei-chan, are you alright?" Naruto asked.

"Yeah, but you guys have to leave."

"We're not leaving without you." Sasuke said.

Rei looked at him and knew that there was no way to change his mind. He would stay and she couldn't do anything about it. She sighed and gave in.

"Fine, but be careful, he might have called some other rogue shinobi. I heard him say that they were scouting the area and clearing it of any potential enemies so that it would be easier for us to travel."

"Alright, stay on alert and watch out for any movement." Sasuke said.

He took out a kunai and the others did the same. He turned to Rei and looked at the mark on her cheek. He felt a pang of guilt for not having gotten there sooner and for having allowed her to offer herself in exchange for their safety.

"Sorry for getting here so late."He said and looked away.

Rei was a bit surprised by Sasuke's sudden apology.

"It's okay. Still, I would have liked it if you guys would have gone to the Hokage like I asked. His might be too much for us to handle."

Sasuke didn't respond. He wondered why she was so worried about Hametsu. From what he could see he didn't seem to be particularly strong. Still, he had an uneasy feeling about the guy and he knew that Rei had to have a reason for fearing him. He watched as him and Kakashi fought and he could tell that he was strong although he thought that he would soon be defeated by Kakashi. Then, without warning Kakashi was caught by a strange Jutsu. He watched as vines protruded from the ground and wrapped around Kakashi. He turned to Rei and saw the shock in her face. Hametsu turned to them and smirked.

"Looks like your Sensei won't be able to help you brats."

Rei tensed and clutched her kunai tightly ready to fight.

"I guess I should thank your father. After all, he's the one that taught me the Jutsu."

"Shut up." Rei growled.

"What's wrong, are you scared?"

Rei didn't say anything and Sasuke growled.

"She's not scared of you and neither are we. Get ready to die." He said.

Hametsu laughed.

"Do you really think you can defeat me? I bet you haven't even killed anyone in your entire life. Still, you might be able to entertain me and you will serve as a lesson to Rei to not disobey me."

Hametsu smirked and before they knew it he was behind them. Sasuke pushed Rei out of the way and Naruto dodged in time. Sakura's reflexes were too slow and so she was hit by Hametsu and sent back into the wall. She was knocked out. Kakashi watched in horror as his students were attacked by a rogue shinobi. He cursed himself for having allowed Hametsu to distract him. Still, he couldn't be blamed as what he had been told was surprising. He wondered if the Hokage knew about it.

Rei stood up quickly and got ready to fight, but Hametsu went after Naruto. He blocked and dodged and Rei rushed to his aid. Sasuke also went to help. Rei threw a kunai at Hametsu and he dodged it. It headed towards Naruto and for a moment she felt her blood freeze. Fortunately Sasuke reacted quickly and threw another kunai that blocked the one Rei had thrown. Hametsu swung his fist back and Rei raised her arms to block. He hit her and sent her back, but thanks to her quick reflexes she was able to compose herself quickly. She ran back to the battle and watched as Sasuke made some hand signs while Naruto distracted Hametsu. He glanced at her and she knew what to do. She ran to Naruto and created a barrier of wind like the one she had had used during her training with Sasuke.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball!"

When the fire dispersed they were shocked to see that Hametsu was no longer there. Rei looked around and heard metal clanging behind her. She turned and saw Naruto blocking Hametsu's kunai with his own. Hametsu punched him and he slid back. Rei swung at him, but he blocked. She swung again and he blocked her hit and kicked her back. He walked towards her, but was stopped by Naruto. However, he punched him and grabbed him by his throat. Sasuke threw some kunai at him and he dodged them easily. Rei stood up and saw Naruto being held by Hametsu. She made some hand signs.

"Earth Style: Thousand Spikes!"

Spikes of earth rose from the ground and moved towards Hametsu. He threw Naruto back and dodged. Rei released the Jutsu so as to not injure Naruto. She looked around fro Hamestu and Sasuke appeared next to her.

"Looks like were the only ones left. Stay close to me and stay alert." He said.

Rei nodded and looked around.

"Stupid girl."

She turned around and saw Hametsu. She was too slow and couldn't block his attack she was knocked back into a tree. Sasuke swung at Hametsu with a kunai, but his attack was easily blocked. He swung at him with his fist, but his attack was parried. He twisted around and kicked him. He successfully hit him and he was thrown back. Sasuke rushed at him with a kunai, but Hametsu was replaced by a log. Sasuke stopped and turned only to be punched by Hametsu. Hametsu pulled him back and grabbed him by the neck. He began to choke him and turned to Rei with a smirk on his face.

"Well, kid, looks like your friends are done for. This should teach you to behave."

Rei watched Sasuke struggle for breath and felt tears beginning to form in her eyes. She felt weak and foolish for having given Sasuke the note. They would have been better off if she had just kept quiet and pretended to be a criminal. At least they would have been safe. Now, they were all fighting for her and the only one left was Sasuke and soon he would be gone. No, she wouldn't let anything happen to him or to the others. They had risked their lives to save them and she would risk hers to save them now. She had sworn to help them and keep them safe no matter what and she would give her life for her friends. She would fight, even if she was weak, even if she would just end up dead, at least she wouldn't have to do Hametsu's dirty work. She stood up and growled at Hametsu. Hametsu looked at her.

"Don't tell me you want to fight too. You know you can't beat me so just stay where you are if you want to live."

"Shut up. I'm tired of you using me and telling me I'm weak. Maybe I am, but I would rather die than betray Konoha."

Hametsu smirked and threw Sasuke to the side. He held his throat and gasped for air. He watched as Rei stood ready to fight. He could see the determination in her eyes, but he also knew that she was scared. He wished he could help her, but he could hardly move. He cursed his own weakness and feared for her life. She was now up against the man that had defeated him and the others with ease. He hoped that she could hold him up long enough for him to come up with something. He had to do something. He wasn't ready to lose her, not now.

End Chapter Seventeen

Hope you guys liked it and please review. The sooner you review the sooner I update and the more reviews I receive the more I write. Sorry for the cliffhanger, but this is a long battle and I don't have time to type the whole thing. Also, I would like your opinion on how soon I should make the Rei and Sasuke pairing official. Also I will let one reviewer edit the next chapter for me, but the deal is they have to tell me what the names of all of my characters mean. So, review! Sayonara!