AN: Sorry about the wait on this one. Midterms were a bitch.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

Sun's Heir, Death's Guardian II: A Hero's Peril

XVI

"The Plague of Athens?" asked Piper. Her brows were furrowed together in confusion and she looked at the weary blond demigod, who was grumbling in a language that she couldn't understand. "Di perduint it! Contra fata mihi numen! (Gods damn it! The Fates are against me, I swear!)"

"Naruto, really?" said Jason, giving him a mild look of annoyance. "In Latin?"

"Sorry," said the older blond. He reached up with both hands and rubbed his temples. "Φατες, ωὑ; Ωὑ δο υου ἁτε με; Ωὑ διδ ιτ ἁυε το βε τἑ Πλαγυε οφ Αθενς; ὁω διδ Βιανκα ευεν γετ ιτ; (Fates, why? Why do you hate me? Why did it have to be the Plague of Athens? How did Bianca even get it?)"

"Do you know something about it?" asked Tsunade. Naruto made it clear he wasn't the same lovable idiot he used to be, but that didn't mean he wasn't still the kind and caring teen he was when he was taken.

"The Plague of Athens is – or rather was – a dead disease that struck Athens in the summer of 430 B.C.E.," said Naruto. "The disease then came back in the winter of 423 B.C.E. During the second outbreak, Athens was under siege by Sparta and most if not all citizens were confined into the city. The disease spread further and more people succumbed to it. The death rate was lower than in the first outbreak, but animals were also affected by it so it was easier to be exposed in the second. Oh, crap, I hope that Ranger hasn't been infected."

"Athens? Sparta? Where are these places, they don't show on any of the maps that Konoha supplied for us," said the Mizukage. "And why did you count down when you spoke of the second outbreak?"

"They are city-states in that have since been lost to time, ruins scattered in the continent of Europe," said Naruto. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "B.C.E. stands for Before Common Era, it's a way for historians beyond the Elemental Nation's lands to measure time."

"Similar to how we measure, though we measure it after the founding of Konohagakure no Sato since that's when we had enough peace to actually write a date down," said Gaara. "So for us, how long ago did these cities exist?"

"Konoha is about two hundred years old," said Naruto. He crossed his arms, closed his eyes and bowed his head, entering what some at Camp Half-Blood the 'thinking pose of doom', since he usually only did that to either think of a prank or think of a new way to torture/train the other demigods. The blue sun-filled eyes snapped open when he gave a response. "About two thousand years before Konoha was created."

"Impossible!" Onoki shot up from his seat with disbelief in his eyes. "There is no plausible way to measure time before the Warring ages!"

"No, I don't think there is," said the blond as he nodded in agreement. "However, the world outside ours has found a way to measure their history in correspondence with that of the planet's existence. I merely did the math in my head."

"Which explains the smoke coming from your ears," said Thalia under her breath. The five leaders snapped their gazes on her, each of the trained warriors looking at her with veiled distrust in their eyes. Naruto, however, rolled his own eyes at his girlfriend's words. Before he could retort, Onoki beat him to the punch.

"Who are these children, hm?" asked the Tsuchikage, ignoring the Thunder God's children's glares. "Why are we allowing them to stay? They could be spies for the minor villages!"

"They know nothing about our lands," said Naruto. His hands had clenched his arms tightly and he gave a hard look to Onoki. "You will leave them be."

"You've been with them for seven years," said the Raikage. "You could've told them anything, perhaps if we questioned them properly we could discern whether or not they were dangerous."

"I would like to see you try," said Naruto as he locked a look of warning on the man.

"Are you going to stop me, boy?" asked the Raikage as he rose from his seat. He stood at nearly six and a half feet, towering over Naruto's six-foot frame by a head. Naruto moved in a flash of golden light, reappearing in front of the Raikage's desk with his arms still crossed, looking up at the man with narrowed eyes.

"I'll say it again," said Naruto. "I'd like to see you try."

"So the rumors are true," said the Mizukage with a small smirk. "Not only as handsome as his father, but just as quick."

"Mei-dono, please stop making such remarks," said Tsunade, putting a hand to her head and wishing she had another drink in hand. The brat was just causing her more and more headaches to deal with. That was something she wished had changed with his absence from the continent.

"That wasn't the Hiraishin no Jutsu," said the Raikage. He jabbed a finger in Naruto's face. "I saw no Fuinjutsu or kunai thrown."

"Dad perfected time/space transportation after he took me from the continent," said Naruto. He teleported back to where he previously stood, looking back at the Kage with a gleam in his eye. "The only way to keep our access to it open was to keep it named Hiraishin in honor of Zeus, King of Olympus, God of Thunder and Lord of the Sky."

"So many titles, this Zeus character is quite arrogant, isn't he?" said Onoki. "King, Lord, and God."

Naruto sent the man a look, just a look, and the whole room suddenly went cold. Once again, Naruto tapped into Helios' power and used more than what was necessary to make the Kage unnerved, Kakashi had all but frozen, as his body shone lightly. Even Gaara, who knew the intent wasn't sent his way and had dealt with demonic hatred, was shaken slightly. The demigods were on edge and already backing towards the door.

"I say this out of my concern for the innocent civilians scattered across these lands: Do not ever mock Zeus. For now, you are safe from his wrath," said the blond gravely, "but a day will come where you are not."

"Is that a threat, Naruto?"

Naruto shifted his gaze to Tsunade. The two blondes held their gaze for a moment before Naruto shrugged.

"Just a word of friendly advice," he said. The impressive power he began to display dispersed immediately, stopping Thalia, Jason and Piper from their retreat. He took a soft breath before looking at Tsunade once again. "Was there anything else you needed?"

Tsunade opened her mouth to answer, but was interrupted by a large spiraling vortex appearing in between the five Kage and Naruto. Out stepped a familiar masked figure, hiding his face from the shinobi while Naruto remembered it clearly. His orange mask had been swapped out with a full covering mask modeled after a familiar rippling purple eye. Three holes were carved in the mask that put Naruto on edge, while behind him Thalia and Jason both raised their spears, electricity dancing across them.

"You!" The Raikage boomed as he stood, knocking the desk he was seated behind forward. The other three Kage – Onoki had already jumped onto his desk – stood just as quickly and glared at the intruder.

"Hello foolish Kage!" said the psychopath who called himself Madara. He laughed insanely as he waved at each one before once more looking at Naruto. "You returned! Oh, happy day! Does this mean the Jinchuriki is going to hand over the Kyubi?"

"I will never hand over Kyubi," said Naruto. His hands moved from his arms to clench at his side. His bracelet's ruby gleamed and a black slit appeared, radiating bloodlust. The demigods heard a low growl while everyone else was too distracted with the intruder.

"I thought you were no longer a Jinchuriki," said Tsunade.

"You actually believe that report?" asked Mei. "No Jinchuriki can survive the extraction of their Biju."

"He is an Uzumaki," said Tsunade. "My grandmother was one as well, and she was reported to have lived an entire day after her extraction. If she not been over a hundred years old, she might have lasted longer."

"Amusing how they argue even now, isn't it, Naruto-kun?" said Madara. The attention went back to him and his masked head looked around. "Well you do. You act as though you have a chance against me. I already have eight of the nine Biju, just give yourself up, Naruto-kun and I guarantee that the Crooked One will not rise ever again."

"The Crooked One?" The Kage all narrowed their eyes at the intruder in suspicion.

"I'm surprised you hadn't told them yet, considering your 'gods' are preparing for a war with him," said Madara. He chuckled. "Then again, it's not too surprising seeing as our lands have no faith due to the constant war we are in. Even the monks at various temples across the continent believe the Kami has abandoned us. Why do you think I am doing what I am doing? I am going to revive the original God to save this world from the Hell we live in!"

"You're a fucking whack job," said Naruto.

"Am I?" said Madara. "Or am I just the only one who can see clearly? See far better than your father can see?"

"Don't push your luck, psycho," said Naruto with a frown. As far as he was concerned, only he and others connected to the Greek/Roman Pantheon could insult his father. He disappeared with a flash of light and reappeared behind the man, a kunai in hand and drove it forward at Madara's back. Naruto fell through the man like he was a projection, but then felt weight on his back as Madara stepped up onto him. He would've teleported but felt a foreign chakra focused on his back. Flaring his chakra did nothing, so that meant it was a seal of some sort.

"Nice try, Kyubi no Jinchuriki. But I am untouchable! My power grants me such protection from a worthless fool like yourself," said the masked madman. He turned to look at the Kage, making Naruto grunt as he purposefully dug his heel into the blond's back on his turn. "Seeing as you have been so kind as to bring me a gift, I suppose I should return the favor. Well, I was going to give you a surprise anyway, I mean, it's just so rude to show up at a host's home without a gift."

Madara's hand raised and his fingers snapped. There was a distant explosion and the Kage all swiveled in their seats to look out the window as screams began. In the distance, in the area near the shopping district, there was another sudden plume of smoke.

"We're under attack!" said Tsunade, spinning around to glare at the masked madman. Madara's shoulders began to shake and soft chuckles came from him. His masked head looked down at the blond beneath his foot.

"Oh, now the fun really begins," said Madara. He reached down to grab Naruto by his hair, pulling his head back. "A very old friend of yours is dying to see you again, Naruto-kun. Try not to disappoint him." The masked Uchiha then slammed the blond's face into the floor. "He waits for you at my final battleground!"

Thalia and Jason pulled their weapons out, both receiving spears upon doing so, and a large amount of sand shot out of the gourd seated behind Gaara. Madara became intangible, avoiding the sand and ignored the electrified spears that were jabbed through his chest. Another spiraling void appeared behind him and he smirked at the three demigods glaring at him, specifically looking at the two children of the Thunder God. Thalia and Jason were trying to keep their spears within him, so that they could shock and/or kill the man that was openly attacking their friend.

"Farewell, children of the False King," said Madara snidely. "My regards to your father."

He stepped back into the void, disappearing from view. Once the void sealed up, Naruto pushed himself off the ground, spitting carpet debris in his mouth out. He stood up and brushed his shoulders off. "Not only is he a psychopath, but he's a dick, too."

"Are you alright, Uzumaki?" asked Mei.

"I've had worse," said Naruto nonchalantly. He looked out the window at several smaller explosions. "Shouldn't we go deal with that?"

"You will all stay here," said Tsunade. "We will investigate. Kakashi!" The man nodded, and along with his Kage, left in an explosion of smoke, leaving the four demigods with the four Kage. The room looked back at the blond questionably.

"Why didn't you just use your . . . Hiraishin to get out from under his foot?" said the Raikage.

"Simple," said Naruto. He reached behind him and pulled a tag off his back. After looking at the tag, Naruto showed it to the Four Kage. "The psychopath had a mass memory seal on the sole of his foot that could've easily had a contingency seal. When the tag was pressed against me it memorized my place in relation to the earth's floor, so if I used Hiraishin, a bomb could've gone off."

"Why didn't it go off when you stood?" asked Gaara, his sand flying back into the gourd with ease. Piper, Jason and Thalia watched that occur with awe, but the redheaded leader paid them no mind, preferring to look at the resident seal expert.

"It's a false tag," said Naruto. "It acts like a normal mass memory seal, but has a secondary false rune that acts like a live explosive tag waiting to go off."

The blond opened his mouth to say more when everyone in the room felt the urge to move away from the window and did so, the Kage and the blond jumping back. Just in time, it would seem, as large dark grey skinned man with bright orange hair crashed through the glass, his left forearm having a hideous axe-like protrusion jutting out of it. Crazed black sclera eyes with yellow irises darted around the room before looking at Jason, who had pulled Julius out and flipped it into the air. The man's mouth spread widely into a grin.

"I'll kill you first!" he said, moving faster than the people in the room had expected him to and bringing his left arm up. "DIE!"

Jason caught Julius just in time to block the man's axe-like growth with his sword. Thalia pulled her mace canister out and Piper reached for the dagger at her side, ready to help when Naruto held his hand out slightly, Piper's ADHD allowing her to catch the subtle movement. Thalia's jaw clenched, noting her irritation at being told to back off.

"You!" The Raikage said, his face contorting into one of rage. He jumped forward to attack the man, relieving Jason from his struggles against the stranger. The man brought his other arm up and it became a monstrous larger fist, heading for the Raikage's face. The Raikage's own massive hand caught the larger one with ease, holding the axe arm off with his brace covered forearm. "Where is Uchiha Sasuke?"

"Sasuke said I could kill!" The man said. "So let me kill!"

"Where is he?" The Raikage demanded. He glanced down and saw small amounts of sand slithering across the floor and circling the man's legs. The man said nothing, his grin widening.

"Enough, Juugo," said a calm and collected voice, stopping all movement. The room shifted their gaze to the man standing in the window, his eyes had locked with Naruto's and tension was rising. He wore a jacket similar to the one Madara wore, black and covered in red clouds, concealing his form from their eyes, though his young and handsome face made him look to be about twenty or so. His black hair, to the demigods' amusement, looked like the rear end of a duck. His eyes were blacker than the night and were filled with nothing but restrained loathing for the blond that met his gaze.

"Uchiha Sasuke!" said The Raikage in surprise and anger. Gaara took this moment to encase the man called Juugo in his sand allowing the Raikage to shift his attention on the one that helped in the capture of his brother.

"Ē," said Sasuke as he avoided the man's attack. A tag was slapped onto the Raikage's massive form, rendering him immobile. "I would be more than happy to take your arm again, but right now, I have a personal issue to deal with."

His words finished leaving his mouth and Naruto had vanished, reappearing with his fist pulled back as he was a foot away from Sasuke. The Last Uchiha narrowed his eyes, and caught the fist with ease. Naruto allowed a grin to spread across his face.

"Uke-chan," he said jovially. "Did you miss me that much?"

"I'm a clone," said Sasuke informatively. "I await you where we had our greatest battle to date."

"To the End, then," said Naruto. He snatched his fist out of the cloned Sasuke's hand, this time driving it hard into the palm to the point it would shatter a wrist. The injury caused the clone to dispel itself and left Naruto to look at the Kage. "If you'll excuse me, I have a dinner date to get to."

He left with a flash of light before anyone could stop him. The Kage and demigods all shifted their gaze to Juugo, whose head thrashed around in in the sand-like cell.

"What is that?" Piper asked.

"Juugo," said Gaara, his monotonous voice surprising the three demigods. He stepped forward and looked at Jason, his arms crossing over his chest. "An interesting weapon you have. Sealed until needed and released with chakra."

" . . . Sure," said Jason. He watched the man warily, knowing that if Gaara had not needed eye contact to restrain the powerful man named Juugo, he was stronger than he let on.

"Your name is Gaara, right?" Thalia's voice drew all eyes – save for the entrapped Juugo – to her. The Kazekage nodded curtly. Her eyes narrowed. "Where is Naruto going?"

"To fight Sasuke." Gaara said simply.

"Well where is that?" Thalia asked.

"That's a very good question," said Ē with a scowl on his face.

"It would be safer if you didn't try to interfere," said Gaara. "The last time Naruto and Sasuke fought all out, they redecorated the sacred boundary."

"And the Namikaze lost," said Onoki with a snort.

"Because he held back," said Gaara with a glare at the old man. "Naruto has always had an advantage against Sasuke."

"The Uchiha can manipulate the Biju," said Ē with a glower. "You recall the Battle for Takigakure no Sato two years ago, don't you Gaara-dono?"

"I was there."

"Then you know how foolish it is for Namikaze to face the Uchiha!"

"Naruto is now like me once again." Gaara said sternly. The other three Kage looked at him curiously. Gaara said nothing more, but if he had tried to, he would have been cut off by Thalia's question.

"Where. Did. He. Go?" The daughter of Zeus was at her patience's limit and spoke through gritted teeth, her hand tightened around her spear and sparks emitted from the blade. A light snicker broke their attention to the side, where a young man with short white hair and shark-like teeth leaned against the wall, and a large blade at his side.

"Well, this is shocking, isn't it, Juugo?" said the man with a shake of his head.

"That just flat out sucked." Piper mumbled, Jason snorting in agreement while Thalia glared at the guy who was making it difficult for her to get straight answers.

The newcomer grinned again and ducked under a glob of lava that was sent his way. "Mizukage-dono, how rude for a woman of your . . . standing to interrupt someone."

The Mizukage merely narrowed her eyes at the man. "Hozuki Suigetsu. I thought that you had learned from your previous attempt on my life."

"Oh, but I'm not attacking you this time, Mizukage-dono," said Suigetsu. A kunai went right through his head and his eyes widened before he became a puddle of water.

"Arrogant punk," said Onoki. He lowered his arm and glared at the puddle. "A Mizu Bunshin (Water Clone). Figures."

"No, you idiot!" Mei's retort was cut off as the puddle bubbled and quickly shot upwards, reforming as a human made from water. The white haired man cracked his neck as the watery appearance faded and more natural skin appeared.

"That was annoying," said Suigetsu. "As I was saying, I'm just here for the three brats that Uzumaki kid brought with him." He paused and brought a finger up to tap his chin. "Oh, and to free Juugo, too, I suppose."

"There are four Kage here, what makes you think you could get away with it?" said Ē, his fists clenching and his teeth gritting.

"Well," said Suigetsu. "How about I drown you all?"

He raised his liquefied hand and sent four large globs at the Kage, their heads getting hit by small droplets as they dodged. Suigetsu's grin widened and he turned his hand up and crushed it into the fist. The droplets on the Kage's faces spread, being fueled by the moisture in the air before their heads were encased in globs of water. Suigetsu's face turned into a wide grin as the sand fell from Juugo's form, allowing the man to look around before he attacked the Kage. Ē, Onoki and Mei all exploded into smoke, surprising the three demigods, whereas Gaara fell apart into sand. The sand was reforming, albeit slowly due to the water weighing it down, giving the two allies of Sasuke – Juugo the more hesitant until Suigetsu hissed the Uchiha's name– the time to flee out the window.

"What do we do?" Jason asked, deferring to his sister.

"Chase after them, duh," said Thalia. She turned to leave the room when Gaara's sand finished reforming, this time being a sandy version of the redheaded leader.

"Wait," the monotonous and grainy voice of the Kazekage stopped the three demigods in their tracks. "The other four Kage will be on their way to assist Konoha shortly, I have been instructed to help you catch up to Naruto."

"How? How did you even-What are you?" Piper asked.

"I am known as a Suna Bunshin (Sand Clone)," said the grainy Kazekage. "The original Gaara has a close connection with the sand." He looked at them. "Has he told you about his…Burden?"

"I know about it," said Thalia with a frown. "I know you're one, too."

"Was," corrected the clone. At her confused look, since Jinchuriki cannot survive extraction, he continued, "I was given a second chance at life thanks to an elder of my village, partially because of Naruto. He's saved my life and helped me more than I can repay. We have to leave now." The gourd of sand dissolved and a large platform was created beneath them before they floated upwards. "I don't have long before I lose my chakra."

The three demigods nodded and he took them through the window, racing over the cries of the confused civilians. Ninja were darting across the village dousing fires and the masked shinobi called ANBU were racing even faster, scurrying around in search of the cause of the attack. Piper took notice of the Hokage beneath them and pointed her out.

"Keep your attention on the goal," said the clone of Gaara.

"But shouldn't we try to help them?" Jason said to the clone.

"There is nothing you can do for them here," said Gaara. "You must help Naruto. He faces his most difficult battle today, a battle that has caused the end of many great shinobi."

"He fought a Titan, what could be more challenging then that?" said Thalia. Gaara turned and looked at her with piercing eyes, albeit made of sand, but were piercing nonetheless. Gaara's arms crossed over his chest and he faced forward once again.

"He faces a trial of morality and mentality," said the clone. "Once again, he is forced to fight his best friend. Imagine the pain one must endure in order to come to terms with that. It is a challenge I would wish on no one, not even my most hated enemy."

"So," said Kyubi, "Are we going to kill the Uchiha brat this time?" Naruto said nothing, prompting his guardian spirit to sigh. He was forced to remain quiet around the shinobi lest a panic break out and the foolish ningen try to separate them, so talking now was almost a relief, but it would figure that the blond didn't want to discuss the important matters. "Look, Kit, we can't dance around this anymore. You've already displayed your dislike for traitors!"

"Just shut up, Kyu," said Naruto. His gaze was cold and hardened as he dashed through the familiar path to the Valley of the End. His last journey to the valley had resulted in three of his friends being hospitalized, two of them in critical condition, and a seed of doubt planted in the far back of his mind. Not that Naruto knew about that seed, well . . . not until he died, anyway. Now he was conflicted once again.

"You still see him as a fellow orphan," said Kyubi. Naruto said nothing and the spirit forcibly manifested next to him. "Kit, don't be foolish about this! He is a threat to your mate!"

"She's not my ma–er, you know what I mean!"

"You stingy humans – Fine, your girlfriend is in danger with him around!"

Naruto hesitated with his retort. "I know that . . . I just don't know if I can kill him."

"It's no wonder that you didn't kill the son of Hermes," said Kyubi. "Still the ideal fool that everyone can be redeemed."

"Are you going to fight with me or not?" Naruto looked at his companion with a hint of annoyance on his face, jumping through the trees as he did so long ago.

"Despite your poor choices, I will still fight with you." Kyubi scoffed and crossed his arms as he hovered alongside Naruto. "Someone has to show you how to be ruthless, and your bloodthirsty uncle lacks the mental capacity to teach it."

Naruto smirked at the jibe. His smile fell into a frown as he broke through the foliage and landed on the rocky ground leading up to the massive waterfall. A single step was taken before a kunai shot down to the ground with a blank forehead protector tied to it, landing right in front of him. Naruto looked up to the top of the statue of Madara Uchiha – the real one – and his eyes narrowed.

Looking down at him with his right hand resting on the handle of his sword was none other that Sasuke Uchiha. The dark haired man's equally dark eyes narrowed before he spoke: "Last time we fought here, it was as equals. We were both shinobi. Pick up the headband."

"I resigned for a reason, Sasuke," said Naruto. Nevertheless he picked the headband up and tied it around his forehead. "But . . . If you want to make this an official duel, I suppose I can humor you."

Sasuke's lip twitched slightly in amusement. He jumped down and landed fifty feet away from Naruto. Mockingly, he raised his left hand while extending his first and middle fingers in the Seal of Confrontation. Naruto narrowed his eyes and did the same. They bowed slightly and held their gaze before they both vanished in pure speed. They reappeared in the middle of where they once stood, Naruto's blade holding back Sasuke's while Sasuke used the tip of his blade to hold back the edge of Naruto's shield.

"This is new, Naruto," said Sasuke, his eyes blinking and becoming red irises with three comma like points set in a triangular orbit around the pupil. "Did I embarrass you that much during our last meeting?"

"Actually the last meeting was a little gay now that I think about it," said Naruto in return. "Something you want to tell me, Sas-uke?"

"You're dead, Uzumaki."

"Bring it, Uchiha."

The two pushed away from each other, with the raven-haired man flipping his hands through seals at a fast rate. He inhaled through his nose before a large fireball shot from his mouth. Naruto made his own hand seals before shooting a ball of fire from his mouth that was roughly the same size as his opponent's. The two orbs of destruction collided and exploded, a loud bang echoing through the trees and sending many birds flying from their roosts.

"How did you learn that?" Sasuke's eyes narrowed at his former teammate. "The Goukakyuu no Jutsu (Great Fireball Technique) is a Uchiha Clan technique! Hatake must have shown you!"

"For your information, I reverse engineered it," said Naruto with a scowl of annoyance. What he didn't say was that his mother had told him through her knowledge of the technique how it was formed thanks to her friendship with Sasuke's mother and Naruto just did as he always did – pump it full of chakra and then some. "Anything else you want to whine about, or can we get started already?"

"You've already lost," said Sasuke with a sneer. He lifted his sword up and vanished in a burst of speed. Naruto blocked the blade with his shield and stabbed forward with his sword, Sasuke sidestepping the attack with ease. The Uchiha's right fist planted itself in Naruto's face, making the blond stumble backwards. Sasuke pressed on his attack, slashing at his opponent's exposed torso. Naruto's shield bearing arm shot up and stopped Sasuke's blade, the blond's sword wielding hand turning the blade around and driving the pommel of his sword into the Uchiha's nose. Sasuke's head snapped back, allowing Naruto to press on by first shoving away Sasuke's sword and then driving the edge of his shield into the raven-haired teen's stomach.

The wind left Sasuke in a rush, a gasp escaping his lips before he exploded in a cloud of smoke, leaving behind a bruised log. Naruto felt his eye twitch in annoyance. He loved the Kawarimi sometimes, but by the Fates did he hate when it was used on him. The blond's already raised sword dropped down to stop Sasuke's blade from striking at his back, Naruto twisting out of the strange block before ducking under a high roundhouse kick. He retaliated with a thrust kick that was readily avoided, and then caught the blade aimed for his head with his own. The two former friends glared at one another, before pushing away once again, ten feet of distance between them.

"You're not as bad with a sword as I expected," said Sasuke. "The shield must throw you off balance, though."

"If it's bothering you that much then let me try this," said Naruto as he smirked and sheathed his blade into the slit at the portion near his forearm, creating the impartial God Arm. His right hand punched into the open left hand while the eyes on his shield shone red, displaying Kyubi's eagerness for the coming fight. "I thought you wanted to fight, Sasuke? Give me something to sweat about!"

"How is that going to help you?" Sasuke asked with disbelief written on his face. Naruto's retort was to vanish in a flash of golden light and reappear with his back to Sasuke's, his arms at his side and a smirk on his face. Sasuke blinked at the sudden stinging of cool air on his cheek, reaching his hand up and checking it. When his fingers pulled away, Sasuke's eyes widened a margin when he found blood trickling down his face. Narrowing his eyes, he turned around and glared at Naruto's back, clenching his fist around his blade and channeling his secondary chakra nature through it.

Naruto stiffened slightly at the sound of crackling and turned to face Sasuke, looking warily at the now lightning covered blade in his opponent's hand. His eyes looked up to meet Sasuke's; the cerulean blue sun-filled eyes of determination looking into hate-filled blood red eyes with four smaller black orbs glaring back at him. Naruto's knuckles cracked as he tightened his fists and Sasuke's blade slowly rose until it was pointing right at the blond.

"Ready, Naruto?"

"Always."

The two stayed in their position for another moment before they moved. The clanging of Naruto's shield blocking Sasuke's sword could be heard for miles, but they were still too far to be interrupted. Sasuke stabbed forward, his electric blade sparking in almost excitement at the prospect of cutting and shocking the blond its owner faced. Naruto sidestepped the stab, throwing his left arm forward to impale Sasuke in the chest, but the Uchiha quickly brought his sword up to block the attack. Naruto recoiled from the shock he received, glaring at the lightning around the raven-haired man's sword.

He wasn't a fan of lightning.

"What's a matter, Naruto?" said Sasuke. "You afraid of a little lightning?"

"Not to fond of what comes after it, either," said Naruto in admittance, knowing that usually was a sign of his grandfather's displeasure. He pursed his lips as he thought that line sounded familiar, but shook it off, his ADHD kicking back into gear as Sasuke pointed the sword at him.

"Die, Chidori Eisou (One Thousand Birds Sharp Spear)!" The lightning on Sasuke's chokuto came together and shot forward in a single stream, making Naruto's eyes widen. He brought his shield up to protect him only for the attack to pierce through and get Naruto through the chest. The blond's eyes were wide and he looked at the shield where it was pierced, a single thought coming to mind.

Pan, are-are you dead?

AN: And there it is, the long awaited chapter 16! Sorry about that, but like I said earlier, I had midterms left and right to prepare for, so yeah. On a lighter note, Stick of Truth comes out tomorrow and I hope you'll all forgive me as I distract myself with it!

REVIEW!