I'm sorry it took so long to update this! My laptop currently hates me and decided to get a virus and then die — but that's not even the best part! We finally got the virus off a couple days ago, but the greey bastard DELETED ALL OF MY STORIES. So I've been having to rewrite all of the new chapters.
I'm going to fucking murder my laptop.
Anyway.
Please read and review! :D
Luck had never really been on the Akatsuki's side. That was why they were Akatsuki — rouge shinobi with lives full of shit and misfortunate. They could never catch a break.
So why should it be any different now?
Sure, they were in a different world. Sure, they were away from their psycho boss(es). Sure, they were surrounded by an impenetrable caste with magical wards.
But, so what?
They were Akatsuki. It goes without saying that things never run smoothly for them, no matter how perfect it may seem.
So, of course, it shouldn't have been a shock to them when the castle was attacked right after they explained to the students that they were shinobi.
A loud explosion sounded from the castle grounds, a resulting tremor causing the witches and wizards to panic. The noise in the Great Hall was deafening as hundreds of students started screaming. The professors leapt from their seats and murmured urgently amongst themselves, casting anxious glances in the general direction of the castle's main entrance. Sakura, Deidara, and Kisame were already standing together, exchanging meaningful looks but not speaking. Dumbledore touched his wand to his throat to amplify his voice.
"Silence."
He only spoke the word, but the spell made it sound as though he had yelled. Reluctantly, the teachers and students quieted down.
"There is no need," Dumbledore continued in his normal voice, "to panic. This castle is protected by numerous defensive spells and charms, and they have never before failed us. We are safe here."
Halfway through his last sentence, another explosion rang out, followed by another tremor. The witches and wizards whispered to one another, but they all seemed greatly reassured by Dumbledore's words. Sakura cast Deidara and Kisame a shrewd look, not disappointed when they returned it.
The only problem with that, Deidara thought dryly, is that the 'spells' and 'charms' have never been subjected to shinobi, yeah.
About that time, a dozen or so Sound-nin crashed through the large windows behind the professors' table. The teachers scattered, and the students screamed and rushed for the doorway to the hall. The three Akatsuki sprang into action, simultaneously kicked Sound ninja ass and defending the spell casters. The students couldn't help but stop and watch the fight with wide eyes.
Because they were indoors, Deidara couldn't use his clay bombs and Sakura couldn't use her monstrous strength. The blond was forced to rely on taijutsu — which was only slightly better than average — and carefully aimed weapons. Sakura used only her chakra scalpels, while Kisame was very content to wild swing his Samehada around.
The Akatsuki didn't pull their punches. Sure, they probably shouldn't have killed the — now that Deidara counted — fifteen-strong patrol of Sound-nin in front of all those kids, but so what? They were S-Class shinobi, damn it. Since when did they care what the on-lookers thought of them?
The enemy ninja were all down and dead — some in more than one piece — in a matter of seconds. The three 'guardians' hadn't even broken a sweat. The professors and students stood in a shocked silence, not sure what to make of it.
"You realize," Kisame muttered, resting Samehada against his shoulder, "that now Orochimaru will know shinobi are here guarding the kid with the glasses."
Sakura grimaced and Deidara swore.
"I didn't think about that," Sakura mumbled, crossing her arms over her chest.
Deidara sighed, running a hand through the fringe covering his left eye. "Well, the enemy was bound to figure it out eventually," he pointed out, though admittedly not very enthusiastic about it. "Alright. So this is what we're gonna do —"
"H-hold up!" Ron objected, looking extremely shaken. A few other students made similar complaints. The three Akatsuki glanced at him impatiently. "What do you mean 'this is what we're gonna do'? You just killed those guys! What are you going to do about that?"
"Kid, we're ninja," Kisame said bluntly, obviously irritated. "We kill people all the time. In case you didn't notice, it's killed or be killed. Can you honestly tell me that you want to die?"
"N-no, but —"
"Then shut up and do as we say, or you will die!" Sakura snapped.
That shut them all up.
"Alright." Sakura and Kisame both turned back to Deidara, intent on hearing his plan. "We don't have much time," the blond noted. "By now, Orochimaru'll be wondering why his henchmen haven't returned."
"He'll send in more guys soon," Sakura agreed. "More than last time; about twenty, I'd say."
Deidara gave a short nod. "The students aren't safe here." His voice had dropped considerably in volume so that only his two companions could hear. "Enemy shinobi just busted in here pretty damn easily, and they can do it again."
"And even if we confront them," Sakura added, "they'll just send a group in behind our backs to kill Harry-san."
"So we take the brats out with us," Kisame suggested. "Only way to keep an eye on 'em."
"Do you think we should hide Potter in the castle somewhere? In a dungeon or something, yeah?"
Sakura shook her head. "No; they'll be expecting that. We'll take him out with the others and let him hide amongst his peers."
"Alright," Deidara consented. "So this is how it's going down..."
o o o O O O o o o
The six Konoha-nin stepped into the tea shop and sat down for a drink. Uzumaki Naruto stared absently off into space, while the other five — Hatake Kakashi, Yamato, Sai, Nara Shikamaru, and Hyuga Neji — glanced inconspicuously in his direction. Tsunade had ordered them all to track down Uchiha Sasuke and drag him back to Konoha, dead or alive. Over the past few days, they'd found little evidence of the dark-haired missing-nin, and it was disheartening to say the least.
As for Naruto, he wasn't sure how to feel. Should he be happy that he was finally getting a chance to find Sasuke? Or should he be upset because they'd have to fight and/or kill him on the spot if he refused to return? It was still all coming as a shock to the blond.
One thing he did know, though, was that it felt damn good to finally be away from Satoko for a while.
Naruto couldn't stand his other former teammate. She was just a horny little brat that walked around with her half her ass and chest hanging out of her clothes, waiting for some man three times her age to come fuck her up a wall. And she couldn't do anything. She sucked big-time at ninjutsu, she sucked major donkey balls at genjutsu, and she was pathetic at taijutsu. She couldn't even hit a stationary target, much less a moving one.
Naruto, himself, had failed the ninja academy graduation test two years in a row, but Satoko... Damn. He wasn't sure how she'd managed to pass at all. Maybe she'd gotten a passing grade 'cause she'd shown her chest to the proctors...
The patrol — save for Kakashi and Yamato — ordered tea and waiting patiently. It was blatantly obvious to all of them that they were purposefully taking as much time as possible in finding Sasuke. Even Naruto realized it. They were doing it for his sake, and even though that pissed him off, he was still grateful for their support.
Truth be told, Kakashi had a good idea as to where Sasuke might be. He'd been told by a civilian from the village they were currently in — Kumogakure — that a man fitting Sasuke's description had been sighted very near Amegakure.
And also, Kakashi added mentally, Amegakure was the rumored home of the Akatsuki. It made perfect sense for Sasuke to be heading in that direction, as long as one assumed that he was out to kill the rest of the organization for working with Itachi.
Kakashi stole another calm glance at Naruto, who continue to stare sightlessly at the table, and made up his mind. He'd have them stay in Kumogakure for a couple more days, then reveal what he'd been told. Then, they'd be on their way to Amegakure to try and convince Sasuke to come home once and for all.
o o o O O O o o o
Orochimaru frowned. Why was it taking so long for his men to return with the boy's head? Sure, he had hundreds of witches and wizards protecting him, but still.
They were witches and wizards.
He had sent in fifteen men — twelve jonin and three chunin. Surely that was enough to take down a few hundred pathetic spell-casters.
His frown deepened. Perhaps he had underestimated them. Or maybe he had overestimated his own men. They were pretty useless, after all...
With a grunt, Orochimaru ordered twenty-one more jonin to go in — this time through the front to attack from a different side — and kill the boy. Right when they reached the door, however, it exploded. The twenty-one men were instantly downed and then, to the Sound leader's shock, three Akatsuki members appeared amongst the debris.
"Everybody, out!" Sakura ordered, staying by the obliterated doorway to guide the witches and wizards. Kisame and Deidara spread out twenty feet in front of them to defend if necessary. A few shinobi rushed them, but the pair fought them off with ease. Orochimaru's eyes narrowed.
"Now, I see," he growled under his breath. Voldemort looked absolutely furious. "The boy has Akatsuki guards."
"Are those ninja?" Voldemort demanded, eyes flashing wish anger.
"Yes," Orochimaru grunted. "But they will be dealt with." He glared at a large group of his subordinates. "Kill them now!"
The men flinched and darted off to do as they were told. The last of the witches and wizards escaped the castle, only to freeze up in fright of the army before them. There were twenty or so Death Eaters and at least forty chunin and jonin — plus Orochimaru and Voldemort.
"It's him," Harry murmured breathlessly, staring wide-eyed at the latter of the two deadly snake-oriented men. "He's here..."
The students were absolutely petrified, and the professors didn't know if they should attack or not. (The Akatsuki and told them to follow their orders to the mark, and they hadn't said anything about them throwing spells at the enemy.)
"Defense Position: Toh!" Sakura barked out to Deidara and Kisame.
Immediately, the two fell back and joined their pink-haired companion in forming a large triangle around the Hogwarts students and professors. The three simultaneously completed a series of hand signs. Orochimaru recognized the jutsu and ordered his men to stop them, but it was too late. The Akatsuki members bit down on their thumbs and slammed their palms onto the ground, each muttering, "Dome Barrier Jutsu" under their breath.
A large hazy dome of chakra rose from the ground and enclosed the spell-casters, effectively protecting them from harm. The witches and wizards could exit through the barrier, but they couldn't come back inside. Only the jutsu-projectors could move freely into and out of the dome. Anyone else that attempted to get in would be instantly fried by the dangerously-high concentration of chakra in the barrier.
Orochimaru cursed darkly. They'd have to kill all three of the Akatsuki members to bring down the barrier and destroy the Potter brat. No matter, he decided, thought still irritated. He'd have probably had to kill them anyways to get the kid.
And besides, he reasoned, they were no match for him.
Deidara and Kisame leapt away and flew right into the Sound-ninja, wasting no time in cracking open a can of whoop-ass. Before Sakura could follow suit, the students and professors cried out in the beginnings of panic for her not to leave them there alone. She sent them a somewhat amused half-smile over her shoulder.
"Don't worry," she called. "They can't touch you in there unless all three of us die. Just don't leave the barrier and you'll all be fine."
Without waiting to see if they'd heed her words, Sakura made a beeline for the enemy shinobi. Deidara, who was already up in the air on one of his birds, and Kisame were making quick work of them, but there were still at least thirty-five left. The kunoichi landed right in the center of a large group and before they could attack, she drew back her fist and slammed it into the ground. The earth around her shattered and exploded in a wide area, sending a miniature earthquake tearing through the clearing.
(At least there was nothing to hit out here, she told her dryly.)
The witches and wizards, including the Death Eaters, froze in shock. Many of the Sound-nin tensed up and regarded Sakura warily. Orochimaru eyed her with interest.
That technique. he thought to himself. She must have been trained by Tsunade-hime. A wide smirk crept across his face. She should be easy enough to take care of. Tsunade always was weaker than me, after all.
Deidara tossed down another clay bomb and took out two or three men, grinning down at them with an almost maniacal look. Kisame swung Samehada in a wide arc and cut down two more. Sakura kicked a man in the chest, and he slammed into two other men as he was thrown back nearly a hundred feet.
Voldemort glared at his Death Eaters, realizing that Orochimaru's men wouldn't be able to do the job.
"Get in there," he hissed, making a few of them flinch as his partner in crime had done.
The Death Eaters exchanged brief looks before whipping out their wands and shooting a barrage of spells and curses at the Akatsuki members. (There was no way in hell that they were going to get any closer to them.) Deidara jerked his bird to the side and went into evasive maneuvers, showering clay spiders on the shinobi and a few evil wizards below. At least seven ninja and five Death Eaters went down. Kisame and Sakura neatly dodged the green flashes, not pausing in their attacks.
After dispatching four Sound ninja, Sakura stomped the ground and kicked up a giant slab of earth, turning on her heel and flooding chakra into her arm to chuck it a good seventy or eighty feet. The large chunk of rock and dirt instantly took out three of the Death Eaters, and many more recoiled in dismay.
The enemy shinobi and wizards all agreed on one thing without having to even look at one another: they were royally screwed.
Then, of course, Orochimaru had to go and make things harder for the Akatsuki by flinging his Striking Shadows Snakes at Sakura.
The rosette dodged to the right, glaring when the snakes followed her smoothly, and leapt back a dozen or so feet. She slipped out a few kunai knives and fired them at the serpents, striking down nearly all of them. Twice as many took their place. Sakura swore under her breath and brought her hands together for a series of signs, rearing back her head and unleashing a Dragon Flame Jutsu.
The bright red-orange flames greedily overtook the snakes, burning them to a crisp in heartbeats. The tongues of fire shot up the ends of the snakes to continue on along Orochimaru's arm, but he dispatched the carcasses and the blaze died. Sakura flung a well-aimed batch of shuriken at the man at lightning speed, but he deflected them all with a similar barrage of weapons.
Sensing movement directly behind her, Sakura whipped around and punched her fist straight through a Sound ninja's chest, killing him instantly. He dropped like a sack of rocks, creating a sudden load of deadweight on the kunoichi's arm that she hadn't anticipated. She swore again and yanked her limb out of the man's chest, bringing with it a thick river of blood and a piece of his left lung. She dumped him on the ground and turned to throw the chunk of lung at Orochimaru — because, honestly; who doesn't want to do that? — only to find a large white snake's open mouth inches from her face.
Time seemed to slow and Sakura felt her eyes widen. Deidara was staring at her in shock from atop his giant clay bird, and Kisame was whirling around to do the same after killing at least eight more Sound-nin. As the serpent's enlarged jaws drew nearer and nearer at the pace of a snail, Sakura could only think one thing:
...this is how it ends?
Images of her mother, Kikara Kirame, flashed through her mind. Memories of her smile and her nearly constant shy blush. Following that came hazy pictures of her two closest friends from when she was a child in Yukigakure, Akatora Furea and Tori Yuri. Then came Mezuni Sakamaru and Sikomaru, the laid-back, dark-eyed, red-haired twins — Sakamaru the boy and Sikomaru the girl. A brief flash of her former shishou, Tsunade, the ANBU who had happened to be passing through the village on a mission and taught her to fight.
After all that had happened to her, this was how it was going to end?
She faintly heard the gasps coming from the Hogwarts spell-casters. She couldn't move. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't blink.
This was it. This was the end.
And then, a hand appeared out of nowhere and snatched the snake by the neck. The serpent's eyes bulged and blood trickled from its mouth as the person crushed its throat, then flung it back at a stunned Orochimaru.
Sakura's head turned slowly, painfully slowly, to her right. Standing beside her was not one person, but two people.
And one of them was Itachi.