A/N: Wow, so I just realized I didn't describe Eren in the last chapter (minus his age) so I'm gonna awkwardly do it for this chapter haha. Well, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Chapter Ten

Attack

I looked back at the blue eyed, red haired child I had befriended. His hair kind of reminded me of Gaara's, actually.

"Eren, please, leave! Now! You have to save your family!" I turned away from him. I couldn't control what he actually did, so I joined the three Sand Shinobi standing in front of Orochimaru's way.

I met his gaze evenly, meeting his amused, interested eyes with blank eyes of my own. He grinned, and licked his lips. I kept my mouth impassive. I was vaguely aware of Sasuke standing behind Orochimaru, and wondered why he didn't have any other men. I supposed I'd find out.

"Ah, Darcy, just the girl I was looking for," Orochimaru purred in his usual creepy voice. I suppressed a shiver.

"And why, pray tell, are you looking for me?" I asked.

"Because when I heard you were here, I knew you were my only suitable opponent," Orochimaru explained. He then looked at the other Sand Shinobi around us, as if noticing them for the first time. "Give us some space. If she loses, all hope for you is lost."

"Gee, no pressure," I muttered.

"You can do it, Sensei," a small voice encouraged me. I looked down only to see Eren standing there.

"Eren! What are you doing here? I told you to get out!" I cried. "It's dangerous here!"

"I want to help!" He protested.

"You can't. Not in this fight," I said. "I don't even know if I can defeat him. But I have to try. For your villages sake. For your family's sake. For your sake. But, please, stay out of this fight. This isn't your time to be a hero."

He just stood there and stared at me.

I sighed. "Fine. Just stay out of the way."

I turned and walked towards Orochimaru, the Sand Shinobi getting out of our way.

"You'd be an excellent addition to my team," he purred. "You and your friends."

"In your dreams, Orochimaru," I spat back at him, glaring. Inside I was shaking like a kitten left in a rain storm, but I was hoping I had a tough exterior.

Orochimaru licked his lips, and took a fighting stance. I took my fighting stance, half wishing I had a katana, but I knew that would do nothing for me in a fight against Orochimaru.

Without warning, he lunged toward me. I side stepped and reached for his arm, but he was too quick for me to grab him. He spun around quicker than I could blink, and slammed his foot into my side, sending me flying. Fortunately, he didn't knock the wind out of me, and I recovered quickly; however, he was already charging at me again. I dodged punch after punch, kick after kick. Finally, after what seemed like hours, but was probably only a minute, I managed to grab one of his hands mid-punch. I took advantage of my opportunity, and I twisted him, sending him back towards Sasuke. Of course I knew he would recover easily, but this gave me a couple seconds to catch my breath. I watched him carefully as he stood up.

His usual grin in place, he said in his creepy, purring voice, "You're better than I expected; better than I could ever imagine. Imagine if I put the curse seal on you." He laughed. "Oh, Darcy, you could do great things with me, especially with the curse seal."

"Never," I practically growled at him.

"How sad, you could have even come willingly. Not even Sasuke got that choice," Orochimaru drawled. "Have it your way, then." With that said, Orochimaru lunged forward. I got out of the way just in time, literally with a millisecond to spare.

The fight consisted mostly of me blocking Orochimaru's kick and punches.

I need to hit him, I thought as I dodged yet another kick. He'll wear me out this way.

My opportunity soon came, though I suspect he let me land my kick in his gut. Regardless, I kicked him. Jumping back, I tried to figure out a jutsu I could use. I couldn't use anything water related, I didn't have the skill to pull water out of nowhere.

Dammit, I though. I'm totally screwed.

Orochimaru was charging toward me, and I didn't think I would be able to get out of the way, when something - or someone, maybe - came flying out of nowhere, knocking him to the side.

"Orochimaru, you're in for a world of hurt," said an all too familiar voice.

"And you better make that double," said another familiar voice.

"What the hell, Akito? This is not Pokemon!" Kye cried.

I rolled my eyes at my friends. How could they joke at a time like this.

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked.

"We saw the explosion and came running," Akito said. "Looks like you could use some help." She had her sword out that was conducting her lightning-type chakra.

Kye cracked and drew her katana. "Mess with one of us, mess with all of us, Snakey."

I smiled, and tried to make it look like I was ready for anything, and not that I was relieved my friends were here.

"That so, eh?" Orochimaru grinned. "No matter, I've done what I need to. For now."

"I wish I could say we scared him off, but.." Akito trailed off.

"But we didn't," Kye said matter-of-factly. "I don't know what he's planning, but we need to hurry to Baki and tell him what's going on.

"Already done, ma'am!" A sand shinobi called. "I sent one of my men to talk to him."

"We should report in, come on, Akito, Darcy," Kye said, turning away from the hole in the wall.

I didn't leave, though, I just stood there, staring at the hole.

"What's wrong?" Kye asked.

"It's just… weird," I said. "Orochimaru just up and left, like he was buying time for something. That doesn't seem like him."

"Let's not worry about it," Kye said, trying to reassure me. "We need to report into Baki. The sand Shinobi here can take care of things."

I sighed, and reluctantly turned away from the wall, only to be blocked by my seven-year-old friend.

"Eren! What are you doing here?" I cried out in surprise.

"I didn't want to leave!" He said defiantly. "Besides, I-I don't have a family." He looked sadly at the ground.

"Oh," I said. "Oh, Eren, I'm sorry."

"I want to come with you! I want you to train me!" He said, looking back up at me with determination.

"Eren, I-I can't… not now at least," I said. His shoulders slumped, and he looked disheartened, so I kneeled down in front of him and said, "Look, Eren, I'd really love to train you, but you saw what just happened. We need to make sure the village is safe, first."

"So, once everything is taken care of, you'll train me?" He asked.

"As long as Gaara allows it," I said.

The young boy looked hopeful again. "Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!" He exclaimed, jumping into my arms.

"You're welcome," I said, giggling at his enthusiasm. "But," I gave him a stern look as I put him down. "You have to promise me you'll go somewhere safe until it's all clear out here."

"But I-"

"No buts, go somewhere safe," I said sternly.

He looked about ready to complain, but then stopped, and nodded. I watched as he ran off, and Kye, Akito and I hurried off to see Baki.

Little did we know, it would be a while until anything in the Sand Village was clear, and we were in for one hell of a mission.

A/N: Okay, okay, I know it was short, especially after all your waiting, and I know it's not much of an ending, but, either way, here ya go! Hope you liked it!