Declaimer: I own nothing in this fanfic, but my created characters they abilities and Jutsu and that is about all I own "Goes to corner and starts crying"

Writing: Italic: thought, Bold: Bijuu or summoning speaking.

"I ain't such a saint that I can promise to risk my life for strangers. Neither am I scum to sit quietly while people are getting hurt before my eyes!"- Kurosaki Ichigo.

"I have a rendezvous with death, at some disputed barricade, but maybe you should take my hand and led me into his dark land and close my eyes and quench my breath. I have a rendezvous with death and I to my pledging word am true I shall not fail that rendezvous."-Gears of War 2 trailer

Orochimaru couldn't believe his luck. First, he finally caught up with the Uchiha and gave him his curse mark and now he stood face to face with his old student. After beating Team 7, Orochimaru was cornered by Anko. "Well, if it isn't my little Anko," Orochimaru hissed with amusement, "How have you been?" The answer came in the form of a kunai missing Orochimaru's neck by mere centimeters. Smiling, Orochimaru held his arms out, as if accepting Anko's attack. Screaming in anger, Anko lunged at her former sensei, but the man simply sidestepped her. Anko turned, but had to dodge as snakes erupted out of Orochimaru's sleeve. Narrowing her eyes, Anko threw four more kunai at her former sensei, but they were deflected by a rather large shuriken. A shadow fell over the Jonin and before she could react, she was pinned underneath a snake. Smiling, Orochimaru approached the trapped kunoichi. Just as Orochimaru came within grabbing range, Anko exploded into smoke. "Kage Bunshin." Turning around Orochimaru found himself pinned against the branch he was standing on.

"Die with me," Anko said with as much venom as possible, "Sōjasōsai no Jutsu (Twin Snakes Mutual Death Technique)!" Orochimaru continued to watch in amusement as Anko made the hand seal with his hand. As the two snakes slithered out of Anko's sleeve, Orochimaru began to turn brown. Confusion soon gave away to shock as Orochimaru dissolved into mud.

"Nice try my young student."

Anko never had a chance to turn her head around. Ninja wire quickly wrapped around her waist and pulled her tight against the tree. Staring at Orochimaru, Anko saw he wasn't holding onto the other end of the wire. "So you're not alone." The smirk never left Orochimaru's face.

"Now what to do with you," Orochimaru looked up as if considering his options, but the choice he picked shocked the Jonin. "I know, I'm going to let you live just so you can tell dear Sarutobi-sensei that Orochimaru is back, but I give you this as well. Tell him if he cancels the Chunin exams then I will make sure that every women and child suffers." Orochimaru turned his back on his former student, but the moment Anko made a move to get free; a snake bit her on her hand. "Oh, that is just to make sure you don't get any funny ideas." With that Orochimaru burned like paper until he was completely gone. That was when Anko felt the ninja wire release its hold. Anko felt the world spin around her as she tried to catch her footing, but to no avail. The world continued to spin until the Jonin woman could no longer stand and blacked out.

XXX

As the snake Sanin traveled the forest canopy, he looked towards the lone shadow trailing him. "You know I don't like my subordinates hiding from me," The Sanin hissed, "Come on out." Slowly the shadow separated itself from the leaves. "Now, how have you been, Mizuki?" The blue haired nin smirked at his master as he got down on one knee.

"I could never be better master," Mizuki stated with a grin befitting of a monster, "I am confused by one thing. Why leave that woman alive? Wouldn't be more problematic to leave her alive?" Orochimaru chuckled as he kept his eyes locked on a bird on a branch.

"It doesn't matter," Orochimaru said, "My plan is going accordingly. Oh, there is one more thing, Mizuki." The Shinobi looked up, but was quickly ensnared by a white serpent. Trembling, Mizuki couldn't stop looking into Orochimaru's eyes. "Don't interfere in my affairs again, understand." Mizuki nodded dumbly as the snake released its hold. "Now run along and get everything ready for our attack." Nodding, Mizuki vanished.

"You didn't kill him?"

"He still has his uses," Orochimaru turned around and stared at Kabuto, "Besides his time on this earth it about over." Returning his eyes back to the bird, Orochimaru found it being devoured by a snake. Laughing at the plight of the small creature, he returned his stare back to Kabuto. "I need you to keep an eye on Sasuke, I wouldn't want my future vessel damaged in any way."

"I understand, Master Orochimaru," Kabuto bowed his head low, "But what about the Uzumaki? He could cause some problems in our attack." Nodding his head, Orochimaru just stared up at the sky. When he finally spoke it was with an air of confidence.

"Keep an eye on him and if he does anything; kill him," Seeing the shocked expression on Kabuto's face made Orochimaru chuckle. "Don't worry; I have complete faith in you. Now, run along, before anyone sees us together." Giving one last bow, Kabuto left the same way he got in; silently. "Such an amusing boy, he is always a tough one to figure out." With that last sentence, Orochimaru too, vanished into the shadows.

XXX

Team 7 finally managed to escape their attacker, but not without paying a cost. Sasuke was bitten and had a strange mark on his neck, Sai had scratches and bruises everywhere, and Sakura, out of the other two, came out remarkable unharmed. For the best of the situation, Sakura was just glad no one was killed. Grief caught the pink-haired girl as she stared at Sasuke. Ever since that bite, he was burning up and wouldn't stop shaking. Turning her eyes to her other teammate, Sakura could see Sai was deep in thought, but couldn't determine what he was thinking about. Sai opened very little about himself, as if he was afraid about being hurt, but whenever he did, he kept his words simple and too the point. He never spoke more then needed and after that, he just secluded himself into his own thoughts. As Sakura opened her mouth to speak, Sasuke went into a series of coughing fits. Drawing him out of his thoughts, Sai turned towards the Uchiha with a strange combination of emotion in his eyes. First, Sakura saw worry for his fellow teammate, but right underneath that she saw disgust. "What's wrong, Sai," Sakura asked, but almost immediately regretted speaking. Sai turned his eyes on her and for a split second, Sakura thought she saw pure anger in his eyes.

"What's wrong is that we wouldn't be in the shape we are in if Sasuke just listened," Sai explained, "I told him we needed to fall back, but he let his own hatred get the better of him and now what. We're all wounded and he is coming down with a severe fever." This was the first time Sakura had ever seen Sai this mad. The quiet, calm-natured boy was gone and had been replaced by this new Sai. That wasn't a good thing. Sakura could tell from Sai's eyes that he was ready to act irrational; instead of thinking things through.

"Sai I know we didn't listen to you," Sakura spoke in a calm voice, hoping to soothe her irritated teammate. "We should have left when we had the chance, but we didn't and now we are paying the price." This did seem to calm the boy done, but not by much. Sakura stood up and took a quick look around the forest. "I'm going to go find some water." Sai looked like he was ready to stop her, but Sakura was already walking away. "Besides, I didn't get hurt during that fight. I might as well be useful." Disappearing into the woods, Sakura heard Sai give off a sigh of exhaustion. Walking through the forest, Sakura stayed in the shadows of the trees. That was when the sound of rushing water reached the girl's ears. Excitement buzzed in her stomach as she made a dash towards the water, but as the water came into sight, Sakura slowed her pace. The river in front of her was in an open clearing, stepping out would mean giving the other teams a chance to spot her. Images of Sai and Sasuke continued to swim in Sakura's thoughts until she couldn't stand it. Taking gentle steps, Sakura eased her way into the clearing.

"What are you doing?"

Sakura jumped out of skin as the voice rang behind her. Turning she went to hit the individual, but stopped when she saw Naruto's face. Recent wear and tear on his clothing suggested that he was in a battle, but other then that the blond looked completely fine. Naruto just continued to look at Sakura with confusion scrawled on his face, but it cleared up slightly when he saw her canteen. Seeing his eyes travel to her canteen, Sakura went to run, but stopped when Naruto grabbed her arm. Just as Sakura managed to wretch her arm free, Naruto swiped the canteen from her grasp.

"Stay right there," Naruto ordered as he headed to the river. Sakura couldn't understand why, but she couldn't get her legs to move. All she could do was watch as Naruto filled up his and her canteens, but almost with a fox-like movement, Naruto kept swerving his head back and forth. As the canteens were filled that was when the attack came. A barrage of kunai and shuriken were launched at Naruto, but he just simply created his chakra chain and deflected the attacks. Looking towards the forest line, Naruto smirked as he laid the canteens on the ground. "So you don't want to come out and play." That was when Sakura noticed the two Fuma Shuriken on Naruto's belt. "Well, maybe I should go in to play." With a swift and practiced movement, Naruto unfolded both of his shuriken and swung them into the forest. Bending down, Naruto retrieved the canteens as he threw Sakura her canteen. That was when the shouts of pain and fright came echoing through the forest. Smirking at this Naruto's hand flashed blue and just like that the shuriken came sailing back too him, but with an added addition; blood. "Next time you three won't be able to stand on your own two feet." Turning his back on the scene, Sakura could finally see two shadows carrying the third.

"Thank you," Sakura stuttered out, but Naruto just nodded his head, "Wait, where is your team?"

"They are recuperating from a fight we had," Naruto stated simple as Sakura followed him, "I guess I should ask the same question."

"We were ambushed by someone," Sakura said in a low voice, "He was a lot stronger then any Genin should be." This caused Naruto to turn around and stare at her. The intense look in Naruto's eyes forced Sakura to look away.

"Maybe I should come by and check on you guys."

This alarmed Sakura, not because she didn't trust Naruto, but she didn't want him to see the state her team was in. The attitude Naruto's always seem to give out is this caring protector, as if everything within his sight; he as to protect it. "We fine, just a little tired," Sakura said with a small smile on her lips, "Anyway, I better get going. Good luck, Naruto." Before Naruto could say one last thing, the girl ran into the tree line and vanished from sight. As Sakura arrived back at her team's temporary shelter, she found Sai sound asleep. Smiling at the peaceful look on her teammate's face, Sakura gently sat down on the ground in front of him. Before long even Sakura fell into her own slumbering dreams. Just at that moment three human shapes were making their way out of the forest.

XXX

Haku and Suigetsu turned their heads towards the sound of Naruto's footsteps, earning a smile from the blond. "I'm back with the water," Naruto exclaimed with amusement in his voice, as if he just told the funniest joke in the world.

"What was that screaming a few minutes ago?"

Naruto stared at Haku with blank eyes; until his eyes lit up like two light bulbs. "Oh, there was this foolish team that thought it was wise to attack me," Naruto grinned slightly as he patted his shuriken, "I don't think they will try anything against us, again." Suigetsu nodded his head as he took a swig from the canteen, before passing it on to Haku.

After taking her sip, Haku gently gave the canteen back to Naruto, but he simple laid it down. "Did you meet anyone else," Haku questioned, "You know from Konoha."

"Yeah, I meet Sakura on my way to the river," Naruto stated as his eyes darkened in worry, "She said they were attacked by someone who was above the level of a Genin." Looking up, Suigetsu recognized the look in Naruto's eyes.

"Oh, no you don't," Suigetsu exclaimed with authority in his voice, "I know that look too well. You want too got make sure they are okay, but not this time. We just got done with our own fight and we are in no condition to move." Smiling to himself, Naruto couldn't help, but laugh a little inside. After being with him so long, Suigetsu finally got a handle on noticing the different looks of Naruto's and what they mean.

"He's right, Naruto."

Nodding his head, Naruto succumbed to his make-shift bed he was sitting on. Before long a gentle snore filled the area. After the battle Naruto had, the others couldn't blame him for wanting some sleep. Deciding to take first watch, Suigetsu stood and strolled over to the entrance of their hideout. Suddenly, the world spun slightly causing Suigetsu to nearly collapse. Turning around, Suigetsu found Haku already unconscious. Then he saw Naruto's eyes open. "What did you do," Suigetsu growled, but fell to the ground.

"Sorry, I knew he guys would try and stop me," The look on Naruto's face confirmed that he was, indeed, was sorry, "But Sakura was hiding something and I have to find out what. Plus, you guys are still injured and tired from your fight." Creating three futon bunshin, Naruto began to leave the hollowed out cave, but stopped next to his friend. "I'll be back in a minute." With that Naruto disappeared into the forest; leaving behind his two teammates and clones.

XXX

Lee attempted to stand one last time, but was quickly knocked back down by Dosu. "This doesn't concern you, boy," Dosu voice was dead straight, "Now just lay there and let us finish what we came here for." Turning his eyes back to the hollowed out tree, Dosu's team made their way towards it, but stopped, when kunai flew past their heads. Turning back, they saw Sakura standing with her eyes ablaze.

"You will not hurt them!"

The force in her voice startled the three Shinobi, but Kin was the first to recover. Laughing, Kin slowly stalked towards the pink haired girl. "You should have stayed on the ground like a good little dog," Kin pulled out three senbon, but before she could throw them, her hand was wrapped in a black liquid.

"I think that's enough," Everyone followed the trail of liquid to Sai, "Now prepare yourself." Confused, Kin looked at the ink just as it seemed to bubble. Before everyone's eyes, the ink exploded into a series of tendrils of spikes; that descended upon Kin. When the spikes were about an inch away, a strange bell sound filled the forest canopy. The ink, suddenly, seemed to melt in mid air. Looking towards Dosu, Sai saw him tapping his gauntlet.

"Looks like I got the right frequency to destabilize you ink," Dosu stated, turning his eye on Sai, "You are no match for me. By creating sound waves, I can destabilize the molecules in your attacks; leaving nothing, but a puddle." Before Sai could respond, Zaku held one of his palms towards the ink user.

"Zankūha (Decapitating Airwaves)," A sudden blast of wind shot Sai back into the tree, embedding his frame into the trunk. As the wind blast ended, Sai simple fell from the trunk, but was caught by Zaku. "Looks like this one is almost through." Grinning to himself, Zaku prepared another wind air blast, but just as he was about to fire, a deep and sinister chakra filled the air. Turning towards the tree, a vile purple chakra spilled out, as if wishing to corrupt everything in its path. Then, a soft glow flashed in the middle of the tree. Narrowing his eyes, Zaku strained to see what it was. Realization hit the boy like a stone, as he felt the heat coming. Ducking, Zaku barely dodged a small fireball, but when he looked up, he stared directly into the eyes of Sasuke. The punch came out of nowhere, throwing the boy back all the way to Dosu's feet. Sai just managed to look at the Uchiha.

"What is wrong with him?"

Looking down at his hands, Sasuke, for a split second looked confused, but then grinned maliciously. "So much power is flowing through my body," Sasuke stated plainly, "I feel almost invincible." Then, Sasuke looked at his team and saw the wounds they had. Narrowing his red eyes towards the Oto team, Sasuke spoke in a deadly tone. "Did you three do this?" With rage in his eyes, Zaku stood up pointing his two palms towards Sasuke.

"Die!"

The blast of air shot towards the Uchiha, who just grinned. Trees were uprooted as the air blast crashed into them, but Sasuke was nowhere to be seen. That was when Zaku felt a deadly presence behind him, but he never got a chance to turn around. The punch landed square on Zaku's head, knocking the boy to the ground. Spinning around, Sasuke dodged Dosu's punch. Dosu, with a wide eye, looked up to see a kick land squarely in his chest. Throwing her senbon, Kin tried to help, but Sasuke twisted his body in the air avoiding the weapons. Slamming his hands together, Sasuke went through hand seals in a flash. "Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu (Fire Release:PhoenixSage Fire Technique)." Firing off a volley of small fireballs, Sasuke stood by and watched in amusement as Kin attempted to dodge the weapons, but just as she thought was out of the attack range; they exploded. Kin flew through the air before smacking into a tree with a sickening crack. "I hid some shuriken that had some explosive tags on them within those fireballs." Sasuke seemed to be enjoying the torment he was putting the team through, but a movement to his left caught his eyes. Turning towards it, Sasuke saw Zaku staring up at him.

"Zankūkyokuha (Extreme Decapitating Airwaves)," Zaku shouted in anger. Watching from the sidelines, Sai and Sakura saw Sasuke vanish beneath the wave of slicing wind. Grinning, Zaku began to laugh as he heard the trees behind Sasuke being sliced into pieces, but his joy was short-lived. Just as the attack began to dissipate, Sasuke reappeared behind Zaku. Attempting to fire another blast, Zaku swung his arms around, but both were caught by Sasuke.

"You seem very attach to these arms of yours."

Watching in horror, the others watch in shock as Sasuke jerked Zaku's arms up. A horrible crunching sound filled the air, as Sasuke slowly snapped Zaku's shoulder blades and broke his arms. Screaming in pain, Zaku began to beg for Sasuke to stop, but Sasuke continued until the he was satisfied, that Zaku's arms were broken. Dropping the boy in a crumpled heap, Sasuke slowly put his hands together in a seal. Taking a deep breath, Sasuke was about to finish Zaku off, but just as Sasuke fired the fireball, a shadow descended upon Zaku, before getting out of the attack's path of destruction. As the fire died down a lone figure slowly walked through the flames. Stepping out on the other side was Naruto. "That was a little too far don't you think," Naruto questioned with flinted eyes, but Sasuke just grinned even bigger.

"Oh, I've been waiting for this chance," Sasuke snarled as madness gripped his Sharingan eyes, "Now I have a chance to prove my power." Narrowing his eyes, Naruto watched the Uchiha pace from side to side.

"I suggest you three get out of here," Naruto spoke to the Oto nins, "That is of course you don't mind being caught in the cross-fire." Something deep down told Dosu and his teammates that would be a very unwise thing to do. Picking up his broken teammate, Dosu nodded his thanks to the Uzumaki.

"Sasuke, come on Naruto is a friend," Sakura shouted, but Sasuke's eyes looked too far gone, that he probably couldn't even hear her. Before the girl could take a step, she was stopped by Sai.

"Don't," Sai managed to choke out, "This is going to be the only way to reach Sasuke now." With that, all the two could do was watch as Sasuke stopped his frantic pacing.

"Well, are you going to attack?"

"I don't want to fight you, Sasuke," Naruto stated as he watched the Uchiha scoff at his words, "Just calm down."

"Oh, I am calm," Sasuke said with a clear voice, "But I still want this fight." The sentence finished, Sasuke dashed at Naruto with a crazed look blazing in his Sharingan.

XXX

As Makaze and Tsukino woke up they were greeted with a warm fire. Looking at each in confusion, they heard the approach of footsteps. Banrai stared at his team with eyes that almost seemed devoid of life. "You guys are awake," Banrai said simply, "I warmed up some water so I could make some stew for us." This didn't seem to ease the confusion surrounding his team. As Banrai began to cut up some various fruit, Makaze spoke up.

"What happened to that Uzumaki?"

Banrai didn't answer just continued his work. "He asked you a question," Tsukino popped in, "What happened?"

"What do you think happened," Banrai finally spoke, but didn't look up, "You were severely outclassed Makaze and just by his good graces; you survived your fight."

"I know that, but what happened afterwards," Makaze sat up staring at his withdrawn teammate, "Did you get the kill?" This was what got Banrai to look away from the food. That was when Tsukino remembered what Banrai did.

"You knocked me out," Tsukino exclaimed causing Makaze's eyes to darken.

"Why did you-."

"Because you two were growing more and more out of control," Banrai shouted, "Tsukino was on the verge of attacking anything that moved and you; well we all know what happened to you."

Realization hit Makaze like a ton of bricks. "You left him alive," Makaze exclaimed as Banrai nodded, "You traitor!" Makaze stood up as rage filled his eyes. "You were supposed to kill him if I failed! Wait until the Raikage hears about-." The threat was never finished as Makaze was pinned to the tree behind him. Looking at the kunai keeping him pinned, Banrai was suddenly in front of him. As Makaze went for a hand seal, Banrai delivered a rib shattering knee to his stomach. Blood splattered across the ground as Makaze was rocked by a fit of coughing.

"Banrai!"

Ignoring his teammate, Banrai bent down to look Makaze in the eyes. "Do you still remember his words," Banrai questioned as Makaze looked on with a quiet anger, "Did his kind words even reach you in that dark pit of hate? From the looks of things it didn't. Regardless, you will listen now. Let it go."

"Let what go."

"This," Banrai yelled out, gesturing to Makaze, "You could one of the greatest Shinobi in Kumogakure, Makaze, but you've let your anger cloud your judgment. Now, you are just a shadow of what you could be." Makaze tried to be angry at Banrai, but for some reason, he couldn't find the strength too. Sighing, Banrai looked up at the clear sky. "He said, 'Anger is a virus it consumes and destroys everything, but if you can overcome it, you can be stronger then you ever were before.' Now do you understand?" Makaze didn't respond as Banrai pulled the kunai out of the tree. Catching him, Banrai gently laid the boy to the ground, as Tsukino ran over. "I hope this time; those words reached you my friend." With that done, Banrai returned to the food.

XXX

Sakura couldn't believe what saw as the smoke cleared. Sasuke was standing in the forest canopy as Naruto was on the ground holding his left arm. That strange power Sasuke had been able to stand up to Naruto's chakra shroud, but with his Sharingan, it was clear who had the advantage in reaction time. "What's wrong, Naruto," Sasuke spoke with malice in his voice, "Is that all the power you got?" Naruto narrowed his eyes as Sasuke's laugh echoed around the forest.

The Kyubi shroud is beaten back by the curse mark infused Sasuke. What will Naruto do? Find out next time.