Second Time's The Charm

by Reader06

Tobirama knew bringing back the dead was possible. He knew that anything was possible in the ninja world. That didn't mean, however, that he ever believed in reincarnation. But here he was, with a new family and a ragtag group of friends, in a village he barely recognized, facing the same demons as before. Would he ever find some peace and quiet?

23. Chapter 22

Author's Note: This chapter is reeeeeeeeeeeeeally long.

I apologize. I was going to split it in half, but I didn't want to leave you guys with another cliffhanger while I finished up the second half. So… Sorry for the length!

---

.

Tobirama frowned as he felt his body lock up. His eyes shifted to Orochimaru; his red eyes locking on. "It seems once a soul is summoned back from the dead, there is an… adjustment period for the soul to take over the living body its using." Tobirama focused internally, manipulating his chakra and spiritual energy to recover faster.

Orochimaru glared at the Second Hokage, "I need to get the tags in their bodies now, before they are completely out of my control!" Orochimaru dashed forward, heading for the immobile First Hokage.

Unsure of Orochimaru's intention towards his brother, but unwilling to find out, Tobirama pushed his body forward, stumbling into Orochimaru's path and pushing chakra out. Orochimaru jumped back at the force of the chakra, before making another run.

"We need to stop Orochimaru from getting close to the First!" The Third yelled at his student, watching his sensei's clumsy attempt to defend his brother.

Jiraiya nodded, "Got it!" He leaped forward, hair hardening and shooting out to Orochimaru. When Orochimaru evaded to the side, Jiraiya ran through a series of hand signs before shooting fire at him, like a flamethrower.

The Third Hokage appeared from behind Orochimaru, "Shadow Shuriken!" Several large shuriken flew out and pinned Orochimaru in the back. Orochimaru's body melted into mud before appearing on the other side of the field.

"Ninja Art: Toad Oil Bomb!" Jiraiya called out, catching only Orochimaru's pant leg as he evaded.

"DAMNIT! I can't get close!" Orochimaru thought, his eyes moving fast from Jiraiya, Hiruzen, and Tobirama. He focused on the Second Hokage, "How is he able to move and expel chakra?!" Orochimaru formed several hand signs, "Summoning Jutsu!"

Two large white snakes appeared and took off towards Jiraiya and the Third Hokage.

Orochimaru quickly diverted back to the First and Second Hokages.

"Ha! Not a chance, Orochimaru!"

Orochimaru turned around to see Jiraiya quickly summon Gamabunta to fight the snakes, before running towards him at a phenomenal rate.

"Art of the Raging Lion's Mane!" Jiraiya's white hair shot out in different directions, in the attempt to grab Orochimaru. When it missed, the hair joined together to form a large mouth – aiming to swallow Orochimaru whole.

Orochimaru quickly summoned his blade, Kusanagi, and deflected his attack with a hard swing of his sword.

.

Tobirama watched the fight between Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Hiruzen before shifting his eyes over to his brother: Hashirama. Tobirama was starting to feel the chakra return to him, giving him more movement, but was confused as to why his brother continued to stare ahead like a zombie.

He had never seen his brother so… quiet before.

"Hashirama. Onii-san." Tobirama called to him, trying to move his body closer.

"Ah. Tobi…" Hashirama's eyes shifted down slightly, "It seems you are faring better than I." Tobirama was shocked by his brother's plain and expressionless tone. Hashirama sounded… like him… And that was not who his brother was.

"That snake ninja… He must have completed the jutsu incorrectly…" Tobirama's eyes widened, "Or he did this purposely… Fearing my brother's will could break the seal binding him under his control…" Tobirama's eyes shifted to Orochimaru, as he shots another attack towards Hiruzen.

"Then… Why am I different?" Tobirama slowly raised his hands, feeling more of the chakra flow into them, "Could it be because my soul was not summoned from the world of the dead?"

Tobirama jerked his face back to his brother's lifeless one, "We… I… need to seal your soul away from this curse."

Hashirama looked at his brother slothfully, "I understand." He slowly smiled gently at Tobirama, "I trust you… Otouto."

Tobirama's fists tightened, "…To see my brother in such a way… Without that light in his eyes… I wish I had never created this jutsu." Tobirama closed his eyes with a frown before opening them slowly with a determined look.

He reached his arm around to his back to grab a scroll.

.

Tobirama's eye twitched, "…You can't be serious…"

.

He patted his left side.

.

Then his right.

.

.

Tobirama's eye twitched uncontrollably, "Really? No supplies…" Tobirama huffed slight, before applying chakra to his feet and leaping towards Jiraiya, who also just landed near the Third Hokage. Hiruzen looked over at his former sensei, "It's good to see you again…" Hiruzen stopped, not quite sure what else to say.

Tobirama nodded, not wanting to waste time with pleasantries. He turned to face Jiraiya, who looked a little taken aback by Tobirama's hard stare.

Tobirama stared at him expressionless for a moment, "…What was his name again…" Eye twitching slightly he quickly called him the name he remembered Naruto calling him, "You. Pervy-sage. Give me a blank scroll."

Jiraiya's eyes turned into blank, wide circles with his mouth slightly agape. He weakly pointed at himself, "…Pervy-sage…?" He squeaked out.

Tobirama looked at him blankly, "…Damnit." He stumbled out, "…Jiraiya! Whatever your name is! Give me a scroll!"

Hiruzen sighed loudly, smacking his open palm into his face.

Jiraiya continued to stare bewildered at Tobirama, "…You know who I am?"

Tobirama growled, upset and embarrassed at his own foolishness, before barking out, "I am all knowing! NOW GIVE ME A DAMN SCROLL!"

Jiraiya's eyebrows flew up, before falling giving the Second Hokage an unimpressed look. Muttering, Jiraiya said, "…You didn't have to be rude about it…" He started shuffling in his stuff for a blank scroll. When he found it, he tossed it to Tobirama.

Tobirama quickly caught it before he flickered back to Hashirama, only to be stopped by Orochimaru. "Sorry, but I can't let you do that." Orochimaru spat at him, understanding Tobirama's intent to seal his brother's soul away.

Orochimaru and Tobirama made a mad dash to the First Hokage.

"I can't let him get to Hashirama first!" Tobirama thought, before being suddenly flattened by a giant toad – who was thrown at Tobirama by one of the snakes.

"ARG!" Tobirama groaned, as he felt the impact of the toad. He was able to pull himself out from underneath the toad and watched as the injury to his leg disappeared with paper reforming his leg.

Tobirama's head quickly jerked up, to continue his run as he saw Orochimaru place the kunai and control tag into his brother's head.

"No!" Hiruzen cried, jumping in behind Tobirama.

Steam started to flow off of Hashirama's body – finishing the jutsu and bringing him fully to the world. Orochimaru chuckled wickedly as he stared at the Second Hokage, "A battle between brothers… I just can't wait!" He finished with a maniacal laugh.

Tobirama growled, getting to his feet.

"How do you want to play this?" Jiraiya asked, with a serious tone, coming up behind them after helping Gamabunta with the snakes – taking out one.

Tobirama stared ahead at his brother, expressionless, "I do not know your abilities, but my brother's unique skills are formidable. Even with the highly diluted chakra Orochimaru has provided him… This fight will not be easily won." Tobirama moved his chakra around, "I, myself, have been summoned with very limited chakra. This was likely done purposely so Orochimaru would not have to worry about keeping our spirits under control."

Jiraiya's eyes stayed firm on the First Hokage's form, "If that is so… How are you here… Fighting with us and not against us?"

The Third Hokage looked to his former sensei, curious on how much he was willing to tell.

Tobirama paused before answering, "I don't know… It is possible that even though my soul has been transplanted into this living sacrifice that…" Tobirama trailed off thinking, "…That my other body is feeding this one – making my spiritual energy stronger! …Wait… My body!" Tobirama's eyes widened. It suddenly occurred to him that he passed out somewhere outside the arena.

His eyes shifted rapidly around the barrier for a weak point.

Jiraiya's eyes narrowed, "That…? You didn't finish."

Hiruzen was concerned as well, "What is it?"

Tobirama wasn't able to respond as the First Hokage raced towards them. Blocking a kick from his brother, he quickly formed hand signs, "Water Style: Water Shockwave!" A large gathering of water appeared from the air and circled around Tobirama before he aimed it at his brother.

Hashirama quickly responded with, "Wood Style: Demon Forest!" Roots and vines started growing out of the domes exterior and absorbed the water, creating a small forest around them.

Tobirama leaped forward, trading kicks and punches with Hashirama at a fast rate.

"Ninja Art: Toad Oil Bomb!" Jiraiya spat oil onto the trees surrounding them, "Fire Style: Toad Flame Bomb!" Flames then followed, burning the plant life around them as Hiruzen blasted fire at Orochimaru.

Tobirama and Hashirama skidded back into the dome's surface, leaving wreckage in their wake.

"Wood Style: Giant Forest Technique!" Wood shot from Hashirama's arm, but Tobirama jumped up to dodge, "What I would do for a paper bomb or five right about now…" Tobirama thought, racing towards his brother.

Tobirama raised his leg in the air and brought it down. Hashirama dodged to the side, the ground cracking where his brother's leg hit. He turned his body, swinging the wood extended from his arm into his brother's side.

Tobirama grabbed the wood with his hand, and used it as support to fling his body into the air and aim a roundhouse kick to Hashirama's head.

Hashirama leaped back, "Whoever thought you and I would fight with such intensity?"

Tobirama ran through a series of hand signs, "Earth Style: Mud Wall!" He called up an earth wall behind his brother before yelling out another jutsu, "Fire Style: Fire Dragon Bomb!" Fire flew out of his mouth like a flamethrower at the Senju.

"Wood Style: Wood Wall!" Hashirama called up roots from the ground, intertwining upward and creating a wall in front of himself before he jumped around it to deliver a punch to Tobirama. Tobirama grabbed it and spun him around, "Nothing about this fight is intense. You are a shell of your former self and even I am limited." Tobirama told him, diving forward to take out Hashirama's legs.

Hashirama jumped, missing the attack. He formed several hand signs as the roots below started to come alive again – regenerating and flying toward Tobirama. Tobirama leaped back, and formed several hands signs as well, calling forth the remaining water in the air and dumping it at their feet.

"Lightning Release: Thunderbolt!" Tobirama yelled, sticking out his hands and calling forth a large amount of lightning. The lightning arched and sparked around him, reflecting off of the water below and following the current out.

"RAWWW!" With a loud roar, Tobirama pushed out the energy from the lightning, striking the roots and shattering them into splinters.

Hashirama took a hit in the shoulder, causing paper to reform to recover from the wound.

Using the distraction and panting heavily, Tobirama yelled, "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

He split into two and raced towards Hashirama at an incredible speed. "Wind Style: Vacuum Bomb!" Pockets of air shot towards Hashirama, cutting into more of his body. The clone quickly disappeared behind Hashirama, shoving a hand into his back and planting a seal.

"Arg!" Hashirama groaned, his head turning to read the seal on his back. His eyes widened as the clone jumped back.

*BOOM*

Tobirama watched as half his brother's body laid on the ground, burning, while the Reanimation Jutsu started to reform his body from the incurring damage.

Not one to waste time, Tobirama quickly called up the water again as he raced towards his brother's fallen body, "Water Style: Water Prison!" His hand shot out towards Hashirama, who was still recovering. Water shot up around him, spinning into a ball and incasing Hashirama inside.

"Checkmate." Hashirama told his brother with a smile on his face. Tobirama panted, looking up at his brother's black and brown eyes.

The clone approached the two, opening the scroll and starting on the soul removal process, "Onii-san…" Tobirama paused, a lost look in his eyes, "I… Forgive me Onii-san."

Hashirama's eyes soften at his little brother. He smile as he extended a hand, trying to grab Tobirama's water covered one, "I understand, Otouto."

"Sealing Technique: Spirit Sealing!" Tobirama's clone shouted as the light blue energy rushed out of Hashirama's body and into the scroll.

Tobirama released the jutsu as he watched the paper fall off of the sacrifice, "One of the Sound genin from the exam." Tobirama thought, staring at the female.

Dismissing his clone, he picked up the scroll and stared at it, "I need to seal this scroll somewhere it can never be unsealed."

.

But even as his mind continued to work, his soul felt numb.

.

.

.

Red eyes darkened as they thinned, focusing on the battle ahead of him.

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000

"We have a problem."

"Oh course we do…" Shikamaru groaned out, while leaping from rooftop to rooftop.

Naruto looked over to Shikamaru. He was a little upset with sensei for putting some stranger in charge of Team 7. Well, maybe he wasn't a stranger – he was Kanoko's brother, but that wasn't the point!

"Well? What's the issue?" Sakura asked, impatient and nervous.

"We have ninja closing in on our position. Chunin – maybe jounin." The pug, Pakkun said in a bored tone.

Shikamaru tsk'ed, "How many?"

Pakkun sniffed the air, "Nine… No, ten. One is hanging back."

Naruto looked at Shikamaru as his face scowled, "What's the issue? Can't we just fight them, then continue on to finding Sasuke?"

Sakura voiced his concern for him, in which Shikamaru answered, "No. There's too many issues. First, we're out numbered. Two, we're out classed. Three, this isn't our terrain and we are the ones being tracked. We aren't going to lose them and a surprise attack will prove tricky." He paused looking ahead, "Best case, we beat them at the cost of losing Sasuke. Worst case, we die."

Naruto and Sakura looked away gloomy.

Shikamaru looked back, "There's only one option: One of us has to stay behind and act as a diversion."

All three of them stopped on a roof to look at one another as Shikamaru continued, "But that person… will most certainly die."

All three stared at the ground. Naruto's fists tightened, "I have no choice. I won't leave Sakura to do this…" He raised his head, "I-"

"I'll do it." Shikamaru told them firmly.

"What?! Shikamaru?! No! You'll die!" Sakura exclaimed. Shikamaru sighed at her, "You and Naruto need to go ahead to help Sasuke. You're his best hope and you need Pakkun to get you there." Shikamaru smirked, "And… My jutsu is best suited for this type of plan. I have the best chance of surviving."

Naruto stared at Shikamaru. He always knew Shikamaru to take the quickest and easiest way out of things – always avoiding work and never trying harder.

It always upset him.

Shikamaru had a father and mother who loved him, a sister to play with and protect, and a best friend who was insanely loyal – and he didn't even have to try. Naruto, on the other hand, was always trying, working hard to get friends and people to respect him, hang out with him, like him…

But seeing him now… Maybe there's more to the lazy Nara than meets the eye.

"But… What if you die?" Sakura asked tentatively, her eyes firmly planted on her hands.

Naruto looked to his teammate then back at Shikamaru. Naruto stared at him as he recalled a memory he won't soon forget…

Flashback

"KANOKO!" Naruto yells, catching her.

Kanoko looked up at Naruto, "I made a promise… To my brother… To Shikamaru… That I would come back…" Kanoko placed her left hand on Naruto's hand, "Don't… *cough* let… the people precious to you down… like I did…"

Kanoko exhaled and closed her eyes.

End Flashback

"No."

Shikamaru and Sakura looked to Naruto bewildered.

"No what?" Shikamaru asked.

Naruto raised his head and gave Shikamaru a serious look, "I'm not going to let you make that kind of sacrifice. We'll find another way."

Shikamaru tsk'ed, gritting his teeth in annoyance, "There is no other way! And we're wasting time!"

"And I said no!" Naruto roared back, "You think you're making this big noble act, but it's not noble at all! It's selfish! Maybe you feel obligated because of all the insane things your sister does! I get that, she's drives me insane with her over the top heroism and skill – making me look like some sort of clown!"

Naruto stomped over to Shikamaru and grabbed his collar and pulled his face closer, "That doesn't mean I'm going to let her down by getting her precious people killed!"

Shikamaru's eyes widened slowly, "…Her… Precious person?"

Sakura raised an eyebrow while thinking, "I'm pretty sure Naruto said, "people", not "person"."

Naruto tsk'ed in annoyance at Shikamaru's oblivious, "Duh! You! She told me herself!" He let him go, shoving him to the ground and muttering, "…And everyone says I'm an idiot."

Shikamaru just stared at the ground before shaking his head and dusting himself off as he rose, "Well… Ummm… I guess… Then I won't?" Shikamaru was looking away, but Sakura caught of a slight amount of pink form on his cheeks at Naruto's words.

"I hate to break up this touching moment, but we have more deadly concerns pending at the moment." Pakkun told them plainly with a slightly annoyed expression.

Naruto crossed his arms and scrunched his face in thought, "Well… Do we have to fight them? Or could we lure them away?"

Shikamaru turned to Naruto, with an eyebrow raised, "What do you mean?"

Naruto answered, "Well, what if we…."

Shikamaru nodded to Naruto as he spoke, before staring at him in shock, "…That could work, but only if we….."

000000000000000000000000000000000000

"Those Leaf ninja… They really think a trick like this is going to fool us?" The leader of the Sound group spat as they watched the roof in front of them burn from an explosion.

"Then try this!" Naruto shouted throwing several kunai at them. They jumped back, but were hit with another wave of kunai, this time from behind.

"CHA!" Sakura yelled, throwing her kunai.

The group dispersed and started chasing after the two ninja separately. Out from the shadows flew two large shuriken, hitting one of the ninja in the shoulder and the other missing, just barely.

Shikamaru stood, lazily before taking off, away from the ninja. Sakura and Naruto diverted, following after Shikamaru.

"After them!" The leader roared as the group dashed after them.

.

.

.

"The coast clear?" Naruto asked, sticking his head out.

Shikamaru sighed, "Well I hope so… After you just gave away our position." Naruto stuck his tongue out at Shikamaru in response.

"Yes, the coast is clear… Let's head out, we're losing ground." Pakkun spoke with a gruff and bored tone.

Everyone nodded before taking off.

Shikamaru mused out loud, "I can't believe they fell for that… And here I was about to make some noble sacrifice…" He finished, quoting Naruto's words from earlier.

Naruto chuckled before telling him with a cocky tone, "Sometimes it pays to think in simple terms."

Sakura giggled at Naruto, while Shikamaru just smirked and nodded. Naruto narrowed his eyes at them, then replayed his words in his head before screeching, "Ah! I meant…! You know what I meant! Gawwwr!"

Shikamaru just smiled lightly, nodding his head, "Yeah Naruto. We understand."

0000000000000000000000000000000000000

"Well…. If it isn't Uchiha Sasuke."

Sasuke smirked, "This is as far as you guys go." Sasuke took a long look at the trio. The kunoichi, Temari was poised and ready for action, while the puppet user, Kankuro, was carrying a pass out Gaara on this back. The mark on his neck had blackened and didn't seem to be growing anymore.

"So, what are you going to do?!" Kankuro shouted just before Temari leaped up, throwing senbon at Sasuke, "Get out of here Kankuro! Get him out of the village!"

Kankuro growled, "You won't be able to handle him!"

Temari gritted her teeth in response, "If we don't get Gaara out of here and he loses control… KANKURO! We are the only chance our village has!"

Kankuro looked down before nodded and taking off.

Sasuke leaped forward to grab Kankuro, but was stopped by Temari and her fan.

His eyes narrowed, "You really expect me to believe that you're protecting your village? Your ninja started attacking us!"

Temari tsk-ed, "That wasn't us! But I'm not wasting my time explaining it to you! For all we know, your village is the cause of all of this! You're the ones that suggested we hold the exams here!"

Sasuke ignored her and was about to attack when he heard footsteps behind him.

"SASUKE!"

He looked back to find Naruto, Sakura, and Shikamaru… And a dog… Sasuke raised an eyebrow, "What are you guys doing here?"

Naruto scoffed, "What do you think, teme?!"

Sasuke narrowed his eyes and turned back to Temari, "Get lost, I don't have time to deal with a dead-last loser. I need to catch up to the other sand ninja."

Naruto opened his mouth to yell again, but Shikamaru interrupted him, "Then let me take care of the girl and you three… plus Pakkun… go on ahead."

Naruto jerked his head back to Shikamaru, "Haven't we been through this?!"

Shikamaru just chuckled, "I know, but I got it this time. Don't worry about me… I won't lose to a girl."

Sakura's eyes narrowed at Shikamaru for the sexist comment, "I'd like to see you say that to Kanoko."

Shikamaru paled, "…She's barely human – let alone just some girl."

Naruto and Sakura shrugged, finding truth in the statement.

"Hn. Fine. Then let's go." Sasuke said, taking off.

"No you don't! Wind Scythe Jutsu!" Sasuke quickly hid behind a tree before dashing out and past Temari. Naruto, Sakura, and Pakkun following after him.

Temari curse and ran after them, only to be stopped by flying kunai, "It's a drag… I know. But I'm your opponent." Shikamaru told her plainly.

Her eyes thinned at Shikamaru, "Fine. I'll make this quick then!"

0000000000000000000000000000000

*BOOM*

The ground shook as bombs all around the village went off – most of the explosions centralizing around the stadium.

"GET THOSE PEOPLE OUT!" A Sand jounin shouted to his comrades, pointing at a collapsing building. He turned to defend against another attack from a Sound ninja.

"THERE'S MORE OVER HERE!" A Leaf medical ninja yelled, pulling out civilians from underneath rubble.

People scattered and ran through the street, yelling in fear as snakes descended from below while debris from the buildings fell from above. A small edge of the dome had already collapsed due to the fighting and those asleep in the stands were awaking.

Outside of the screams, the clicking sound of metal was heard. Sound, Sand, and Leaf ninja all exchanging blows. Both the Sand and Leaf ninja were confused on who was friend and who was foe – costing those that hesitated, their lives.

"Cht. This is worse than I imagined…" A tall man with a spiky ponytail drawled out. He was kneeling on a roof, observing the area while Leaf ninja flicker to him and away.

"Shikaku-san! Who are we fighting?!"

"Shikaku-san! The Hokage is trapped behind an impenetrable barrier!"

"Shikaku-san! Where should we take the injured?!"

"Shikaku-san! The Sand's Jinchuriki is headed to the edge of the Village!"

Shikaku closed his eyes, listening to the reports and thinking about the next step, "Troublesome… How did I get stuck doing the Hokage's job…"

Opening his eyes with a sharp look, he spoke firmly, "Orochimaru's followers of the Sound are the enemy – though some are casting as Sand nin." Shikaku gestured to one of the ANBU, "You will lead a team into the stadium to retrieve Leaf citizens. They are your priority – all other citizens are second to them." He then turned to Hyuuga Hiashi and pointed to a map of Suna, "We will gather our citizens here, outside the wall. We will need you and your clan to provide defense against incoming attacks and missed bombs."

Hiashi nodded, "I will leave you one of my clansmen for your use, the rest will follow me to the containment sight."

Shikaku nodded before sending the ANBU and his team off to gather people, now that they have a location to transport them too. Shikaku called over Inuzuka Tsume, "I don't believe we've seen all the bombs go off yet." He pulled out an extra map, "Move among the fighting and mark locations of landmines and other traps."

"Hai." She told him roughly before barking orders to her pack.

Shikaku's eyes shifted over to another ninja to give another order when he heard his name called out again, "SHIKAKU!"

Shikaku turned to see his wife running towards him. His eyes widened. He had always known his wife to be strong and never waver in the face of danger or tragedy.

But as he stared at the pain in her eyes and the tears running down her face, his heart dropped in pure dread, "Yoshino, what is it?" He asked in the calmest voice he could muster up, jumping to his feet.

She latched onto him, pulling at his shirt and yelling, "WE NEED A MEDIC! IT'S KANOKO!"

.

His heart stopped as he looked up and past her.

Running up to him was his large friend, with a lifeless girl in his arms.

.

His girl.

.

He dashed forward, gesturing to a medic to follow. As he approached, Choza laid her down on the ground, "…Shikaku… I'm sorry… I should have looked for her sooner…"

His eyes widened as he took in the damage to her body. Her hair was out of its bun and pooled around her head. Her face was covered in dirt and scratches while blood fell from her mouth. Her clothes were covered in blood – some spatter from others, but much her own. As the medic pulled up her body, to take note of all the wounds Shikaku stared at the two stab wounds on her back.

"How did anyone get close enough to her to stab her in the back like that?! It doesn't even look like she put up a fight…" Shikaku thought, looking for signs of her defending herself: bleeding knuckles, chakra depletion, more of the enemies' blood… He found little to none.

Shikaku was taken out of his thoughts when he saw the medic ninja's hands glow a steady green. He turned as he felt someone grab onto his arm and side tightly.

Shikaku placed an arm around his wife in comfort as he lost himself in his daughter's beaten form. He started wondering why he even let her become a ninja – her and her brother. They didn't deserve this kind of life. A life of death and war… Always on edge and always prepared to die…

He reached out to take her hand in his, "She's so cold…" He tightened his hand as he felt his eyes water.

"Shikaku." He heard his other teammate call to him gently, "I can't begin to understand what you are going through." Inoichi looked over to his daughter's sleeping, but injury free form before turning back to Shikaku and placing a hand on his shoulder, "But we can't do this without you. We are already down our Hokage. We can't lose you as well."

Shikaku growled at his friend, ripping his hand off of his shoulder before looking at his daughter's face.

Shikaku sighed, his eyes dropping, "She always got upset with me when she felt I wasn't taking my duties to the village serious enough." He let go as he slowly got to his feet, he chuckled lowly, "And she will be mad when she wakes up to find me slacking." He turned to Yoshino and gave her a comforting smile, "Just like her mother."

Yoshino smiled sadly back at him before shooing him away to watch over her daughter.

Shikaku walked back to the staging area with his teammates, "Once we have evacuated all of our citizens, we will have to decide whether or not to support the Sand's forces." He eyes drifted to the barrier on top of dome, "And we have to find a way to free our Hokage."

"Shikaku-san."

Shikaku turned around to see Hatake Kakashi and Maito Gai approach, "We have cleared the majority of the enemy's forces at the stadium and I have sent my team out to support Uchiha Sasuke as he tracked the Sand genin team." Kakashi paused, "Before the match started, I and Jiraiya-sannin noticed one of Orochimaru's curse seals on the Sand's Jinchuriki's neck. This seal could cause the other to falter and release the tailed beast."

Shikaku's eyes widened, "We need to leave the Sand. With the Hokage removed from the battle field, we don't have the resources to withstand an attack from a tailed beast, even if it is the one tailed."

Shikaku waved over several ninja, to relay new orders when Kakashi spoke again, "The boy hasn't released it yet and Naruto, Sakura, and Shikamaru will be able to hold him back until I get Kanoko. She's the only one that can remove the curse seal." Kakashi paused to look around, "I assumed she would default to the staging area for orders. Have you already sent her off?"

Shikaku's eyes narrowed harshly at Kakashi, "You… Are going to cost me both my children…"

Kakashi stepped back, having never heard such a tone or seen such an expression on his jounin commander's face before, "…Sir?" He asked tentatively.

Shikaku closed his eyes, calming himself. Now was not the time to get angry or blame others for the anger he felt towards himself. He gestured Kakashi to follow him as they walked around the many Leaf shinobi.

Kakashi's eye widened and felt his body turn cold when he saw the glowing green chakra, coming from the medic ninja's hands, over Kanoko's body.

"How…?" Kakashi was also confused. Of all his students, he felt Kanoko was most like him – following the rules of a shinobi, carefully observing her surroundings, and armed with more contingency plans then possibly ever needed. She never hesitated in her movements and had no apprehension towards killing others to survive.

Shikaku shook his head, "I don't understand it myself." He turned to Kakashi with a serious look, "But if what you said is true and Kanoko does not wake up, then we can't remain here. We have to leave the Sand."

Kakashi nodded, "I will leave immediately and recall my team, your son, and Sasuke."

Shikaku agreed with a nod of his own, "See that you do. And Kakashi… You bring back my son in better condition than my daughter."

Kakashi nodded before bowing and teleporting away.

Shikaku looked up at the barrier holding in their Hokage and Jiraiya, "It could only be our miserable luck that both our fuinjutsu experts are locked away." His eyes drifted to Kanoko, "And likely the reason she was targeted…"

He sighed as he looked up at the cloudless sky, "If she survives this… Her and her brother are going through the same training my father put me through."

Shikaku sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger, "And he was the first male Nara to be born with a cruel demeanor and rigorous work ethic…"

00000000000000000000000000000000000000

Kankuro panted as he leaped through the edge of the Sand Village to its outer walls. He turned his head slightly to Gaara, still passed out over his shoulder.

"….Kankuro… Put me down…" Kankuro's eyes widened at his little brother's mumbling. He responded, "Are you sure Gaara?"

"Yes." Gaara hissed out, as they stopped just before the village's wall.

"Gaara, we need to get out of the village! You're not…" Kankuro stopped, looking away from his brother – ashamed at what he was going to say, "…well enough to be trusted in the village." He finished in his head.

Gaara just exhaled heavily, ignoring his brother as his eyes focused on the group standing before him.

"This is the end of the line for you guys!" Naruto shouted, point his finger at them. Sasuke stood in front, eyes focused and hand in his kunai pouch.

Kankuro took a stance, readying his puppet jutsu when a cloaked figure jumped between them, facing the Leaf ninja, "Now, now. Let's not fight. We're all on the same side here." Kankuro's eyes narrowed at his back. He looked like a Sand ANBU Black Ops member, but he wouldn't be the first Sand ninja today to not be who they seemed.

Sasuke's eyes thinned, "I doubt that."

The ANBU member hummed wistfully, "Well, you're entitled to your opinion, I suppose… But I speak honestly when I say I mean you no harm."

Pakkun shifted the air, "I wouldn't trust this guy…" He whispered to the team.

Sakura looked to Sasuke for guidance, but his eyes remained firm on the three Sand ninjas.

No one was able to respond before Gaara started screaming again, his face cracking while he wallowed in pain. Even while he crumbled at the pain, he spoke to Sasuke, "We're so alike… Uchiha."

Sasuke gritted his teeth as he felt his body stiffen at the dark chakra flowing off of Gaara. Gaara continued while holding a hand to his face and covering his eye, "I don't have friends as you have… But they are not what makes you strong. It's your purpose that does it! In that way… we are alike."

Gaara paused, smiling wickedly, "But my purpose is stronger. For, by destroying you… and all you represent – will I even prove that I exist! Only by killing you, will I feel alive!"

Sakura gasped as she focused her eyes on Sasuke's back in worry.

Naruto stared at Gaara, fists tightening before stiffening again when Gaara wailed out an even worse scream of pain. This one, high in pitch while the wall cracking behind him from the pressure.

Everyone's eyes widened as Gaara's face started to deform.

"GAARA! NO! YOU NEED TO CONTROL IT! GAARA!" Kankuro shouted on the top of his lungs to his little brother, trying to get close before getting smack away by Gaara, hitting the wall behind with a crack, "DON'T YOU DARE GET IN MY WAY!" Gaara bellowed at his brother.

"GYAH!" Kankuro coughed, blood spitting out of his mouth.

"He's a monster!" Sakura screamed out.

Naruto's eyes just pinpointed on Gaara in shock, "Could it be…? Could he be… like me?"

The ANBU turned around to stare at the boy before him, as his face grew and changed into a beast's. His eyes focusing on his neck, "The seal is still inactive. To think… This boy has suppressed it all on his own… Impressive." The ANBU jumped in the air, making his way over to the wall behind Gaara, "Unfortunately for him, I can't let that happen… After all, the tail beast is critical to the destruction of the Leaf and Sand."

With a smirk forming underneath his mask as his pulled out some chakra scalpels, but before he could take aim, Gaara's arm deformed into a giant sand claw. Gaara quickly leaped toward Sasuke, smashing his claw into the ground where Sasuke stood, pushing up sand and dust as the ground shook from the blow.

"Sasuke!" Sakura and Naruto yelled, jumping back and aiming kunai at Gaara. The kunai hit the deformed arm, but instead of causing damage, they were absorbed into his skin. Gaara laughed as he flung his arm towards Sakura, the kunai returning to her at an incredible rate.

"Gyah!" She cried, jumping to the side, but getting hit in the arm.

"Leave her alone!" Naruto growled, creating multiple clones and attacking Gaara from all sides. "GRA!" Gaara roared, pushing them all back, popping them as they hit the surrounding buildings.

Naruto gritted his teeth before going in for another attacked, "Try this then!" Naruto didn't get the chance to follow through, "Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!" A powerful flame shot out and engulfed Gaara – burning him alive.

"Sasuke!" Naruto chastised Sasuke for his brutality before jumping back at Gaara's wicked laughing. Another "arm" shot out of the red head, looking more like a tail. Quickly, it whipped around and pushed back Naruto roughly into the wall behind him.

Sasuke quickly ran away to plan another attack, but Gaara was quick to follow. Widening his eyes, Sasuke quickly activated his Sharingan to read his attack. "His chakra… Where is it coming from?!"

"Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!" Flames blasted towards Gaara, this time coming from Sakura. He jumped back, growling at the interference. Sakura dropped to her knee, exhausted from her last match against Ino and from all the running here. She panted before her eyes widening as Gaara turned his sights on her.

Sasuke acted quickly, calling up his chakra with light focusing in his hand, "Chidori!" The sounds of bird chirping filled the area as Sasuke's sparking fist made contact with one of Gaara's tails.

"ARRRR!" Gaara cried, falling forward before quickly regenerating the tail, "I won't… lose! I will show you that my purpose is stronger!" Gaara wailed out, pushing his body forward.

Sasuke kicked Sakura away with a grunt, "He's faster than before!" Quickly, he formed hand signs, but wasn't quick enough and was punched in the stomach – being sent into the wall of a building. The wall crumbed around Sasuke at the force of the impact.

When the dust cleared, Sasuke was sitting awkwardly on the ground, trying to get up, but struggling due to the pain.

Gaara growled, "Is that is…? That was the best… you could do… to show the value of your existence?" He paused before letting out a wicked laugh, "You hate is weak. Far weaker than mine!"

Sasuke gritted his teeth, speaking lowly, "Shut. Up."

"…And you know what that means…" Gaara continued.

"JUST SHUP UP!" Sasuke roared out.

"You're going to die!" Gaara started laughing uncontrollably.

Sasuke's eyes turned harsh, with a crazy glint in them. He briefly thought of Kakashi's warning about the Chidori jutsu: How he was limited to only twice a day – especially while using the Sharingan. Anymore and he could die.

.

But that wasn't important now.

.

What was important was proving his worth. Proving that his hate was stronger. That, by this act, it meant he was one step closer to avenging his family.

And killing the man responsible: His brother.

.

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAW!" Sasuke roared, calling up his chakra and forming the lightening around his hand and arm. Blue light glowed off of the building as he took off – Gaara taking off as well and meeting him half way.

*BAM*

A loud sound split the air as Gaara and Sasuke traded blows, landing in different locations with their backs to each other.

.

.

.

"GYAAAH!" Gaara wailed, his sand tail falling again before regenerating for the second time, while chakra spilled out of him – causing the seal on his neck to glow faintly before turning dark again.

"So close…" The Sand ANBU thought, eyes focused on the fight below. He heard a loud noise and turned to the Uchiha. He was face first in the sand, flat on his stomach, "He used too much chakra… This would be a perfect time to grab him for Orochimaru… If he's still alive."

"SASUKE!" Sakura screamed, stumbling over to Sasuke's body and she willed chakra out of her. He hands shook over his body as green energy glowed over his wounds, "I can't… I just can't lose him!" Sakura thought, tears in her eyes.

Gaara turned his head slowly to Sasuke and Sakura, with a wild grin on his face before leaping in for another attack – this one to be the last.

Sakura's eyes widened in fear before closing them in panic.

.

.

.

*BAM*

She heard a loud noise, but felt nothing. Slowly she opened up her eyes before they widened in shock, "N-Naruto…!"

In front of Sasuke and Sakura was Naruto, blocking Gaara from completing his attack before roaring loudly and knocking him back into the wall. Panting at the force, Naruto turned to Sakura and gave her a smirk, "I won't let him hurt you or Sasuke. Believe it!"

He then turned to Gaara with a serious expression and body poised for an attack. Sakura just stared at Naruto's back, before softening and turning back to Sasuke – trying to heal his wounds.

Naruto stared ahead at Gaara, "This guy…"

Gaara also took a moment to stare at Naruto, "You… You're the one that ran into Temari…" He paused, "The weakling…"

Naruto growled as his fist tightened, "I-"

Naruto didn't get to finish when Gaara quickly and unexpectedly whipped past Naruto and headed straight for Sasuke, "YOU WILL DIE SASUKE UCHIHA!"

Naruto's body turned in slow motion, trying to get in front of him and defend Sasuke, but was too slow.

Being closer, Sakura pushed her body in front of Sasuke. Eyes focused and kunai ready. She didn't have the strength or skill to defend against Gaara of the Sand, but she would give her life to defend Sasuke's.

That she knew for certain.

.

.

.

Gaara flinched at the last second, pushing her out of the way and holding his face in pain as he stood over Sasuke's body.

Quickly, Naruto grabbed Sasuke and moved him away before turning to Sakura.

She was passed out, with Gaara's tail holding her down.

"That girl is crazy for getting in the way." Kankuro thought, wincing in pain and keeping far away from the fight.

.

After what seemed like ages, Gaara slowly removed his hand from his face and turned to Naruto, eyes pinpoints and mouth stretched into a wicked smile.

Naruto shook slightly with panic, "…Those eyes…!"

"What's the matter… Weren't you about to do something…" He paused before laughing, "A weakling like you… Who has no purpose… No meaning of existence… You should just run away."

Naruto's eyes narrowed and growled before looking to Sasuke at his feet then to Sakura, still trapped by Gaara's sand.

Gaara caught his look and asked, "These two… Who are they… To you?"

"Who are they…?" Naruto repeated before standing tall and responding roughly, "They're my friends, that's who they are! And if you so much as lay another FINGER on the two of them and I will pulverize you!"

Gaara wasn't pleased by Naruto's grand statement and applied pressure to Sakura's body, making her scream out before passing out again. "What? Weren't you going to pulverize me?" Gaara asked, growling slightly.

"DAMNIT!" Naruto yelled, throwing a punch at Gaara, only to get knocked back.

Gaara stared coldly at Naruto, "…You won't win…" Naruto turned to him, rubbing blood from his face. Gaara continued, "You're purpose… It's weak… Fighting for your friends… You should fight for yourself… Then your purpose would at least be worthy."

"The only one here with a weak purpose is you!" Naruto growled out before leaping towards Gaara, "AND I WILL BEAT YOU TO PROTECT MY FRIENDS!"

000000000000000000000000000000

Shikamaru held his hands together, slightly shaking from chakra exhaustion. In front of him, also panting, was Temari of the Sand.

"You little..! Damnit!" She cursed as her body struggled to move.

Extending from Temari was a thin black line on the ground, connecting to Shikamaru. He had suffered a few bumps and bruises, but his dwindling chakra was his biggest concern at the moment.

"The only reason I even lasted this long is because of all the training Kanoko put me through to further grow her own chakra reserves." Shikamaru gave an annoyed look at the thought, "…Where is she anyways… I was sure I would have seen her by now."

"What now?" Temari asked, impatient, but worried for her safety.

Shikamaru sighed, "…You said that you were trying to get your brother out of the village… Why?"

Temari gritted her teeth, not answering his question. Sighing louder this time and wincing slightly at the pull of chakra from his jutsu, he rephrased his question, "Look… I think the Sand and Leaf are both victims in this attack, but this isn't our village, and worst comes to worst… We can just leave." He paused, "But you guys don't have that option… That being said, the Sand is an ally to the Leaf, so we won't just abandon you unless you give us a reason to…"

Temari growled again, "He's right. They don't have an obligation to stay, but that doesn't mean we can't trust that they had any part in this attack."

Shikamaru sighed, realizing he would have to do more. He thought for a moment before untwining his hands and releasing his jutsu.

"What the… Are you some idiot?!" Temari snarled at Shikamaru.

Shikamaru shrugged, slightly agreeing with her statement before speaking, "I'm giving you a reason to trust me… I'm not sure if you're the enemy or a friend, but I want to trust that our goals are aligned."

"And what goal is that?" Temari asked suspiciously.

"To keep the people we care about safe. To protect our friends and our families." He said simply, sticking his hands in his pockets.

Temari gave him a hard look, taking a moment to think. She closed her eyes, "…I don't trust you, Leaf nin…" She opened them back up, "But if you help me save my village… and my little brothers… I'll help you save your friends."

Shikamaru thought about her offered and wondered if he could trust her. He looked up to the cloudless sky, "I don't have much of a choice here… I don't know what Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke are up against… My sister is nowhere to be found… And no jounin have shown up, to back us up…"

Looking back at her, he extended a hand, "Deal."

She scoffed at him before turning, "…Deal."

They both took off to find their friends, or in Temari's case, the only family she had.

0000000000000000000000000000000000

Naruto fell back, holding onto the small toad his summoned in error. He winced as he look towards Gaara – his body was changing as the sand formed around him. Leaving only his legs visible, the rest of him, deformed into a beast with sharp yellow eyes.

"Those eyes… Full of loneliness… I've seen eyes like those before… In myself." Naruto thought, staring into Gaara's yellow and purple demon eyes. He closed his eyes in frustration, thinking about the villagers, "I remember hating them… because they hated me! And I didn't even know why."

Naruto thought back to his fight with Mizuki. "And then I found out about the demon fox inside me… That just made it so much worse…" His thoughts drifted.

"But then…"

.

Iruka turned around to face Naruto, "How about ramen with extra barbeque pork?" He asked with a smile. Naruto jumped into the air, "YAHOO!"

.

"Hn! You're such a loser." Sasuke told Naruto, smirking with his teammates behind him, "I don't even know why you bother training." Hinata pulled on Sasuke's shirt, "N-Naruto-kun… Isn't- he isn't a l-loser…" Kiba laughed at Sasuke's annoyed look caused by Hinata's betrayal, "You tell him Hinata! Hahaha!"

.

"So Naruto! Did you get it?! Do you know what Sasuke… how he… I mean… What are his feelings towards me?!" Sakura tentatively asked while she fidgeted. Naruto just shook his head, "Nope. I have no idea." Sakura's face immediately dropped in disappointment. Naruto giggled, "But Sakura-chan! If you want to know how I feel about you, then – wait, where are you going?!"

.

Naruto dashed through the streets, giggling as he turned corners. "NARUTO!" A raging Kanoko appeared in front of him. She was a mess: Her hair had glue dripping down off of it, her outfit was covered in orange paint, as feathers littered her body and the ground she stood on. Naruto held his belly as he laughed at her, "AHAHAHAHA! I can't believe you fell for that one!"

.

Naruto was just about to chow down on some ramen when Kakashi-sensei appeared form his window, handing him a basket of vegetables, "Naruto… You won't live long on ramen, beans and barbeque pork. If you want to be a ninja, you have to eat your vegetables." He finished with a smiling eye. "Ack!" Naruto said, moving away from the basket.

.

"Hey Naruto? You going to join us? We need another person…" Choji shyly asked Naruto. "Yeah! You guys are going to need all the help you can get, with the lazy bum on your team!" Ino yelled, sticking her tongue out. Naruto grinned, running forward as Shikamaru slowly follow, mumbling a "troublesome" as he walked.

Naruto smiled softly, "A few people came along who paid attention to me… I was alright then… Even with this monster inside, because… I wasn't alone anymore."

He focused his thoughts on his team: Sakura, Kanoko, and Kakashi-sensei standing before him. Team Kurenai standing off to the side and Team Asuma on the other, "They made me happy… And glad to be alive."

Naruto looked at Gaara's deformed face, "What would I be like, if I never met them…"

"WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!" Gaara roared, his sand pushing on Sakura again, "SHE WILL DIE IF YOU DO NOT ACT!"

Naruto gritted his teeth, "I have to do something! I can't let Sakura down!"

Naruto leaped at Gaara, trying to attack him with shadow clones, but was blown back. Gaara called up his sand and transformed it into several shuriken before sending them straight to Naruto. Naruto quickly evades, but not before taking hard hit to the stomach, sending him roughly in the building behind him. Coughing, he stared up at Gaara again, "None of this is working! He's too strong!"

Naruto gritted his teeth before looking over to Sakura. His eyes softened, "Sakura-chan… DAMNIT! HOW CAN I POSSIBLY BEAT A GUY LIKE THAT?!" Naruto's hands pulled at his hair in frustration.

"…Naruto…"

Naruto's eyes opened before turning towards the voice. His eyes widened, "…Sasuke?" Sasuke coughed in response before speaking lowly, "…You need to get out of here… He's… Out of your league…" Sasuke coughed, trying to push himself onto his feet, but falling back down.

Naruto watched him with concerned eyes, "Sasuke! …But what about Sakura-chan?!"

Sasuke looked back at Sakura's form before his eyes dropped to the ground, "I… Naruto. We can't beat him." He looked away, "…She already dead."

Naruto stared at him blankly before growling.

Hearing his growl, Sasuke moved his gaze to him, but was quickly taken aback when Naruto screamed at him, "SHE PROTECTED YOU! SHE WAS WILLING TO DIE FOR YOU! AND YOU WOULD LEAVE HER TO DIE?! WITHOUT A SECOND THOUGHT?!"

Naruto panted, due to his yelling, with his hands clenched tightly at his side before speaking darkly, "I will never leave a person I care about to die!" Naruto turned to face Gaara, "You have to protect the people precious to you. And I WILL PROCTECT SAKURA-CHAN!"

Blue energy flew around Naruto pulling up the sand and causing the broken wall behind him to crumble. Sasuke's eyes widened as Naruto formed a seal, yelling, "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Gaara, Kankuro, and Sasuke gaped as smoke filled the entire area. As the smoke cleared, over a hundred Narutos were seen. Some were on roofs, many on the ground, and a few sticking their heads out windows of buildings.

Naruto smirked, pulling out a scroll, "I stole this scroll from my teammate… But I never got around to asking her what was inside." Naruto's grin turned wicked as the Narutos descended on Gaara.

Gaara's eyes widened, "How…?! There's… So. Many." His eyes shifted rapidly around the area, to all of the Narutos. He moved around, trying to jump away from the incoming attacks, but was quickly overwhelmed by the numbers.

"GYAHHH!" Gaara wailed at the assault before taking a hit in the back. He was propelled into the ground, with a loud crack and sand flying in every direction. Taking advantage of the opportunity, the many Narutos dog piled on top of and around him, kicking and hitting him from every direction.

"I… won't lose to… A GUY LIKE YOU!" Gaara wailed, gathering chakra and popping all the Narutos around him.

Gaara's eyes shifted around the area for the real Naruto, only to find him grinning and waving from a safe distance, on top of the roof of a building.

Gaara's beast-like eyes narrowed.

"GAARA! AT YOUR FEET!" Temari screamed, leaping out from behind a building and racing towards him.

Quickly, Gaara's gaze moved to look at his feet.

His eyes widened.

Below him, was the scroll Naruto held up earlier; completely unraveled and glowing dark red.

.

.

.

.

.

*BOOOOOOM*

00000000000000000000000000000000000

*BOOOOOOM*

Smoke rose from the edge of the village in a large puff. Tobirama kicked Orochimaru in the back, sending him into Jiraiya's fist, before looking out towards the smoke.

Turning back to Orochimaru, who was pinned in-between the three of them, he said, "Your plan is failing. You are no match for the three of us and your forces outside are slowly dwindling."

Orochimaru hissed at the men around him, "This isn't how it was supposed to go!" He turned his eyes on Jiraiya, "Not only did the fool show up…" Orochimaru looked at Tobirama, "But he broke my jutsu and is now using it against me… I can't even release him, now that his own will has taken over… And any injury that he receives is simply "fixed" by the reincarnation jutsu."

The Third Hokage stepped forward, holding his staff up, "…And it's too late for you, Orochimaru." Hiruzen's eyes hardened, "You will die here."

.

"…Me? Die?" Orochimaru started chuckling lowly before breaking out into a mad and maniacal laugh, "…Even if you did kill this body… I'd hardly be dead." Orochimaru smirked wickedly, slowly getting to his feet.

"Body…? What have you done?!" Jiraiya barked at his former teammate. Hiruzen's eyes narrowed before widening in disbelief, "…No. Don't tell me…"

Orochimaru crackled, "But it's true." He pulled at the skin on his face, pulling it off to reveal a young woman's face behind it.

Tobirama crossed his arms and frowned, "That's why you targeting the Uchiha. You intend to transplant your soul into his body." He paused, "…You truly are a despicable human being."

Orochimaru smirked at the Second Hokage, "Oh? Are you really so different?" He grinned widely, "After all… That's not your body that you're using."

Tobirama narrowed his eyes, but did not dispute that fact.

"Enough!" Hiruzen barked, "It doesn't matter what body you take over. I'M GOING TO STOP YOU TODAY!" Hiruzen called upon his staff and thrusting it towards Orochimaru, allowing the Third's summon to keep him busy while Hiruzen formed several hand signs.

Jiraiya watched his teacher, before his eyes grew in shock and panic, "SENSEI! NO!"

The Third Hokage ignored him while Tobirama focused on the jutsu, "I don't recognize this jutsu…"

Once the current Hokage was finished he turned to Jiraiya, "Jiraiya… I won't survive this jutsu." He didn't get to finish as Jiraiya leaped towards him to yell, "Then you shouldn't do it! There's absolutely no reason to resort to this!" Jiraiya's face was full of anger and a small bit of sadness.

Hiruzen's eyes softened at his student, picturing him as the young kid he once was, "Jiraiya… I know you don't agree… But this is the only way to save the Leaf and correct the mistakes I have made." He paused as his looked over to Orochimaru, "He hasn't shown us his true strength… You and I both know that. And if he truly has mastered moving his soul from one vessel to another, the only way to stop him is to seal his soul away." He turned to the edge of the village, "And we can't afford to waste time."

"And the cost should be your life?! This will only hurt the Leaf!" Jiraiya chastised him.

Tobirama walked up, "I am not entirely sure what you are planning, Hiruzen, but Jiraiya speaks truth. You have no successor to take your place. To leave the village in such a state would cause disarray."

"Listen to the Second Hokage!" Jiraiya said before chuckling slightly and giving Tobirama a smirk, "He's all knowing after all."

Tobirama crossed his arms and gave Jiraiya an annoyed look.

The Third Hokage chuckled, "…That's one of the best things about you, Jiraiya. You create light and humor out of any situation." His eyes softened, "Of all three of my students, you always had the brightest and most caring of hearts." Hiruzen closed his eyes lightly, "…I would ask you to be the Hokage, but I know you wouldn't."

Jiraiya frowned before gritted his teeth, "…You're still going to go through with it…"

Hiruzen nodded, "… I am." He looked Jiraiya in the eyes, "I won't let the citizens of our village continue to suffer for my weakness." The Third Hokage turned to face Orochimaru again, who had a foot on Hiruzen's summoned monkey, grinning wickedly at him – waiting for Hiruzen to make a move.

Staring ahead, Hiruzen said, "…Tsunade."

Jiraiya's ears perked up, "What?"

"That's who will become the Fifth Hokage." The current Hokage explained.

"Tsunade…" Tobirama mumbled lowly, thinking about the little girl he once knew.

Jiraiya shook his head sadly before sighing, "… She won't do it."

Hiruzen smirked before turning slightly to Jiraiya, "You'll find a way. I believe in you."

Jiraiya's eyes softened at his sensei, before dropping in sadness. He opened his mouth to respond when he jumped back suddenly to avoid a group of snakes aiming for his throat.

"I'm getting bored over here with all your rambling." Orochimaru told them with a hiss. Jiraiya growled lowly, eyes focused on his former teammate. Not diverting his attention, he told his sensei, "I'll grab him for you to complete the jutsu…" He gritted his teeth, "I still don't agree… But I will do as you ask."

Hiruzen smiled sadly at his student, "Thank you Jiraiya. And I am sorry to have to ask such of you."

Jiraiya shrugged with a small smile before leaping towards Orochimaru and trading blows.

With Jiraiya and Orochimaru a good distance away from their position, Tobirama stepped up to Hiruzen, "…I don't know exactly what your plan is…" He repeated, "But I will help you – for I trust your judgement."

The Third Hokage smiled at him, "I am sorry. You asked that I not die…" He paused, shrugging slightly, "But I suppose we both knew that I was not going to be able to follow through on that promise."

Tobirama closed his eyes, silently agreeing before Hiruzen continued, "And even now… I must ask a high price from you."

The Second Hokage raised an eyebrow. He was silent before nodding, "...What would you ask of me?"

00000000000000000000000000000000

"It's… It's… A monster…!" Shikamaru stuttered out, looking at the raccoon like beast standing tall and enormous before them. The wall leading to the outside was completely demolished by the transformation and the sand was slowly rising to the beast, feeding its massive form.

"So that's it…" Naruto gasped, thinking of his own tailed beast.

Jerking out of his shock, Shikamaru quickly helped Sasuke to his feet while he yelled to Naruto, "That, we can't handle! We need to get Sakura and get out of here!"

Naruto moved his wide eyes to Shikamaru, "But, how do we get her out?!" He said, motioning to the sand pinning her down.

Shikamaru gritted his teeth, "He's right… And I don't think there's a way, outside of beating that thing." His eyes turned to "Gaara", "But Naruto won't leave Sakura… And they're both Kanoko's teammates…"

"There's no way you can stop him now…"

Shikamaru turned around, with Sasuke still draped over his shoulder, to see Kankuro and Temari. Temari continued, "He… He's unbeatable in this form…"

Naruto's face turned angry before yelling, "Why is everyone saying that! He's too powerful! He's out of our league! He's unbeatable!" Naruto stomped his foot, "Well you know what?! Since no one else will do it, I'll do it! I'LL BEAT HIM AND SAVE EVERYONE!"

Kankuro snorted, "We heard you the first twenty times, retard."

Temari wacked him as she gave him a look. He just shrugged in response – completely done with the whole situation. He was sure he was going to die anyways, might as well just accept it.

"SUMMONING JUTSU!" Naruto roared as the air was sucked in around him. The other quickly jumped back and out of the way.

0000000000000000000000000000

Jiraiya smirked at Orochimaru as he watch Gamabunta knock Orochimaru's snake, Manda, to the ground and then pin him down with his large foot.

Jiraiya chuckled lowly, "Looks like you're losing on all fronts… Old friend."

Orochimaru hissed, "…Damn useless snake." He mumbled.

Jiraiya just laughed, crossing his arms, "I was always the better fuinjutsu user of all three of us, so it makes sense that my toads would be too much for your snakes to handle."

Orochimaru opened his mouth to curse his old teammate when suddenly Gamabunta poofed from the battle field.

Jiraiya's jaw hit the ground, "…Whaaaaaaa?!"

Orochimaru chuckled wickedly, "Better fuinjutsu users huh? Can't even keep your summon around long enough to finish the job." He paused to add a final insult, "Similar to your luck with woman, eh?"

Jiraiya sent him an annoyed look in retaliation.

00000000000000000000000000000000

A large red toad appeared in front of the One Tailed Beast, with Naruto standing on top of his head.

Shikamaru and Sasuke stared up at Naruto with wide eyes.

"Did… You know he could do that?" Shikamaru asked Sasuke, completely in shock.

Sasuke shook his head, "There's… There's just no way… He's a dobe…"

Gamabunta looked up at Naruto and drawled, "…You couldn't have picked a worse time… Brat." He paused to look ahead, "Well… Look here. Shukaku: The One Tailed Beast." He finished, blowing out smoke from his pipe.

Naruto narrowed his eyes before smirking, "Well?! Are you going to fight alongside me, chief toad?!"

Gamabunta gave him a dull look before grunting, "Yeah... No."

"Whaaaat?! Why not?!" Naruto yelled at him.

Gamabunta grunted, "Right… I'm not facing a guy like him."

"But! You said you were going to make me your henchman! It's only natural for the boss to want to help out his henchman!" Naruto started whacking the toads head in frustration.

On the ground, Shikamaru face-palmed, "Clearly you have no concept of the word, "henchman"." He watched as Naruto verbally fought with the toad. His eyes shifted over to Gaara's form and noticed his eyes were focused on Naruto.

Using the opportunity, he moved Sasuke over to Sakura to inspect the trap she was being held in, "This sand…" His eyes moved over it, "I'm not sure how we can remove it without hurting Sakura."

Sasuke's attention was focused on the battle above as he watched the giant toad pull out his sword – ready to make a move. His eyes went wide again, as the toad launched at Gaara, taking off his arm, and hitting the ground with a large "boom".

More buildings and walls crumbled under Gamabunta and the force of his landing.

The One Tail turned around to face Gamabunta and Naruto. Gamabunta took a stance to attack again when Naruto stopped him, "Wait! Sakura is over there! And my friends too! We need to lure him this way!"

"Sakura?" The giant toad asked. Gamakichi, the smaller orange toad Naruto summoned earlier, laughed on top of Naruto's head, "It's his girlfriend!"

"Interesting… Not bad… UZUMAKI NARUTO!" Gaara roared with wicked laughter.

From the beast's head, Gaara's human body formed, "I'll show you the true power… The manifestation… Of the Sand!"

At his appearance on the One-Tails head, Gamabunta started to tell Naruto of the curse of Shukaku and how the vessel of Shukaku is prone to mental illness due to lack of sleep.

"The true danger… Is if the vessel falls asleep…" Gamabunta finished. Not even a minute after he finished, Gaara used a jutsu to send himself to sleep and awakening Shukaku.

The large creatures started fighting again, this time, using jutsus that obliterating the area around.

"Gyah!" Shikamaru grunted, getting hit with sand and water from their attacks.

"Great. Rain. I love rain."

Shikamaru turned around to the small dog, "When did you get here?" Shikamaru drawled out.

Pakkun growled, "I was here the whole time."

Sasuke shrugged at Shikamaru's questionable look, not really caring. He was more interested in the massive fight ahead of them.

Gamabunta slammed into Shukaku again, "Now Naruto! Attack the runt!" He yelled, referring to Gaara. Before Naruto could move, Shukaku pushed him back.

"I can't hit him if you keep getting pushed back!" Naruto exclaimed.

"I don't have any claws or horns to hold him down. You need to use the transformation jutsu to transform me into a being with fangs and claws." Gamabunta told him, falling back before leaping towards Shukaku again.

"AHH! I'm not READY!" Naruto screamed before muttering, "Fangs and claws… fangs and claws…"

"TRANSFORMATION JUSTU!"

Shikamaru's arms dropped to his sides, "…That's…"

"…The Nine-Tails…" Sasuke finished for him.

A long orange fox whipped swiftly through the field, dodging Shukaku's attacks until finally grabbing on with his claws and fangs.

"Now Naruto!" Gamabunta yelled.

"Got it!" Naruto responded, releasing the transformation and landing a punch on Gaara's face.

"DAMNIT! I JUST GOT HERE!" Shukaku wailed, as control turned back over to Gaara.

As Gaara's eyes opened, he glared harshly at Naruto, "You… Sand BURIAL!"

Naruto cried out as the sand shot towards him. Thankfully, Gamabunta's tongue wrapped around him in time – blocking the attack.

"You aren't getting away from me!" Gaara screamed.

Naruto looked down at the sand filling up and trapping him in, "Not again!" Naruto thought, thinking about the first stage in the Chunin Exams.

Gamabunta brought is tongue back, thinking, "This isn't good… That sand brat has more strength left while Naruto and I are out of chakra!"

Naruto struggled in the sand, gritting his teeth in frustration.

His eyes focused on Sakura below, "I won't… I won't lose… I won't let me friends get hurt!"

"ARRRR!" Naruto roared, calling upon his secondary chakra – the chakra from the Nine-Tails. With the additional strength, he leaped towards Gaara.

"What?!" Gaara thought, eyes widening before calling up the sand and grabbing Naruto by the wrists.

Naruto growled, "I…"

"I'VE HAD IT WITH YOU!" Naruto screamed, smashing his forehead into Gaara's with a loud crack. Gaara's eyes went blank as blood poured down his forehead.

Shikamaru, Sasuke, Kankuro, and Temari watched as the sand cracked and fell off of Gaara, causing both Gaara and Naruto fall to the ground, with a hard crack. They ran over to their comrade's fallen bodies' as Gaara and Naruto panted from exhaustion.

"Naruto!" Shikamaru shouted, running over with Sasuke and a freed, but unconscious Sakura. Naruto's tired eyes gazed at her, "…Sakura-chan."

Sasuke slowly walked up to Naruto, "…She's ok… Thanks to you." Naruto smiled at Sasuke – an actual, genuine smile. Naruto moved his head to face Gaara.

Gaara stared at him. He didn't know what to feel. Anger, pain, hopelessness…

Naruto pulled his body towards Gaara.

Gaara's eyes widened, "…No… Stay away from me!"

Naruto looked at him with sad and glossy eyes, "…I know that look… That feeling. I've been there, in that dark and lonely place. …But now there are others… Other people who mean a lot to me…" Naruto grunted, trying to move closer, "I care more about them… Then I do myself. And that's why I'll do anything to protect them – I won't let anyone hurt them. That's why I won't lose to you… Even if I have to kill you!"

Gaara looked at him in shock, "…But why… Why would you do this for anyone, but yourself?"

"Because they saved me from myself… They're my friends!" Naruto coughed out with firmness.

"Love… Is that… What makes him so strong?" Gaara thought.

Gaara closed his eyes before opening them and turning to his siblings, "We're done." Temari's and Kankuro's eyes widened slightly. "He's done? I've… never seen this from him before." Kankuro thought, nodding to Gaara and pulling him up.

Kankuro, Temari and Gaara stood across from Shikamaru, Naruto and Sasuke, with Sakura still on the ground. Shikamaru shrugged, "…I suppose we should head back to the arena then, if we're all done here."

Temari smirked and was about to respond when a shadow from above interrupted them.

"Now, now. We are nowhere near done. After all, you all aren't dead."

They all looked up to see the Sand ANBU from earlier pass over.

"GYAHHH!" Gaara screamed.

Kankuro moved Gaara to the ground, "What is it Gaara?!"

Temari's eyes widened, "Kankuro! His neck!" Sticking out of his neck was a scalpel, glowing with chakra.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" Gaara screamed again, this time louder and more painful. Both of the Sand siblings jumped back as the curse seal on Gaara's neck started to glow and grow rapidly.

Sasuke's eyes widened, jumping back to Sakura's body and picking her up, "That's the curse mark that was sealed on me, isn't it?!" Sasuke asked Shikamaru.

Shikamaru stared ahead and nodded slowly, completely terrified, "If he goes back into that beast form…" He looked down at Naruto, who was struggling to move.

"GRYAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Gaara wailed this time, his body deforming differently than before. His skin turned black as dark red markings glowed around his face and arms. The sand formed around his body, giving him more girth, as the chakra pushed at the sand and air – causing a sandstorm.

Shikamaru put his arms in front of himself to defend against the blowing wind and sand.

Naruto pushed himself onto one arm, "Gaara! GAARA!" Naruto called out to him, trying to stop him from losing control.

Gaara stopped in his movements, the area stilling in an instance.

.

Everyone held their breaths, wondering if Naruto got through to him.

.

Eyes narrowed and focused on Naruto. In Gaara's black and deformed hand, dark red energy focused, forming into a ball.

"ARGGG!" Gaara growled out demonically, throwing the negative energy at Naruto.

.

Everything went slow.

.

Naruto's eyes widened, the red reflecting in his eyes.

.

"NAAARUTOOOO!" Sasuke called out, far away with Sakura.

.

The ground was pull up as the ball raged forward.

.

Naruto struggled to move, but couldn't.

.

He could feel the heat from the attack as it drifted closer.

.

His eyes dropped as he thought, "…At least… Sakura-chan… Is ok…"

.

Naruto's eyes closed.

.

.

.

A loud crack was heard as blood spattered out on the sand below.

000000000000000000000000000000000

Tobirama stared at his former student as the battle between Orochimaru and Jiraiya continued ahead of them, "What is it that you ask of me?"

Hiruzen gave him a hard look, "…Leave this shell and return to your other body."

Tobirama's eyes narrowed, "This body is invulnerable to damage and I cannot die while in it. Leaving now would also diminish your chances of succeeding in your task – whatever that may be. For what purpose would returning to my former state aid you."

Hiruzen gave a firm look before focusing on Tobirama face, "It would not aid me." Tobirama started to question him when the Hokage spoke again, "But it will greatly aid the village. You cannot deny that that body is limited and cannot grow in strength as it has no potential."

The Senju closed his eyes, unwilling to agree, but know it to be the truth. Hiruzen continued, "I know it has been difficult, living as a child – a girl no less, but you cannot continue to deny your life as Nara Kanoko to be an illusion."

Hiruzen looked ahead, "You have a family – a different one, but a father, mother and brother who care deeply for you – as I know you do them. You have teammates who depend on you and care for you." He spoke lower, "…Are you really prepared to put them through the pain of losing someone they love? That body cannot last long without your soul inside it – it will die."

Tobirama gave him a blank look, "Who's to say my other body would die without a soul? It's not as though we have ever tested such a thing."

Hiruzen continued, "As Tobirama, you wouldn't be able to help them as you would Kanoko. What if they die because you were not there to help them, be it physically, emotionally, or intellectually?"

Tobirama closed his eyes in irritation, "I understand what he is saying… But at the same time, I could do more good for the village in the state than in my other form."

"…But for how long? Would the short term benefit be worth the long term consequences?" Hiruzen asked, anticipating his sensei's argument.

Tobirama took a moment to think about his student's words and logic. Each option had its risks, and in either case, he would find little peace. But again, to Tobirama, this body was his own. It was the first body he grew into and trained to perfection. He won many wars in this body and even help build the Hidden Leaf Village.

The body of a young girl from an average clan, with no particular hidden abilities, left him doubting it's potential.

Tobirama opened his eyes to stare at Hiruzen before shaking his head, "Forgive me. I cannot-"

Tobirama stopped suddenly, his eyes wide and his pupils becoming small dots. He slowly brought his hand up to his chest, his hand firmly grasping at the armor over his chest. He felt his whole body go cold as his heart dropped – feeling a type a dread, he has only felt once before.

Flashback

Kanoko gave her father an annoyed look. Her eyes rapidly gazed over the papers on the desk, pushing some around to get a better look. She looked up again at her father and opened her mouth to say something, but closed it again to silently berate him.

Shikaku sighed dramatically at his daughter, "…Between you and your mother, I'm not going to live very long, am I?" He finished, rubbing his face from the stress.

Kanoko just gave him a blank stare.

Sighing again, he decided to press, "Come on Noko-chan. What is it?"

Kanoko's face scrunched up in disgust at her father's nickname before telling him plainly, "Your system, if you can even call it that, follows no rhyme or reason. You have paperwork on tactics mixed with logistics and there are no numbers on these pages – designating any order." Kanoko picked up some papers and started moving them into piles before continuing, "There is no reason to disregard proper structure and regulation. This is the basis in forming ideal and efficient work habits, which will in turn cause excellent work productivity."

Shikaku opened his mouth to defend himself, but Kanoko gave him a stern look, "Do not give me excuses for your bad habits. Should you chose to do better, you shall."

Her father crossed his arms with a frown and muttered, "Just who is the child and who is the parent in this relationship… Getting talked down to by a ten year old…"

Kanoko gave him an annoyed look, holding papers in her arms and organizing the work when suddenly the papers dropped from her arms.

Confused, Shikaku looked up at his daughter and asked her what was wrong when he saw her face.

Her eyes were wide and he could barely make out her pupils. Suddenly her eyes focused and turned dark. Before he could even move, she was out the door, running faster than he ever saw from her. He quickly followed her, catching up.

"Kanoko! Kanoko! Answer me!" He barked at her, reaching out to grab her, but she jumped into a tree. Shikaku looked ahead and realized that they were coming into the Nara lands – moving in the direction of their home.

He felt a lump form in his throat. He hoped that his paranoia was just playing tricks on him, and Kanoko was simply being her weird self.

Shikaku quickly picked her up before they moved past the final trees before their home. She struggled in his arms before telling him aggressively, "You release me right now!"

Shikaku frown before giving his daughter a harsh look, "No. You will tell me what is going on. Now."

Kanoko kept her eyes firmly on the direction their house was in before swiftly kicking her father in the knee and breaking his grasp. Hitting the ground, she took off in the direction of the Nara's house again.

Cursing lowly, Shikaku quickly followed after her, jumping past the trees and following her into the house. His eyes were moving rapidly around, looking for threats as he saw Kanoko stop in the middle of the house, eyes glazed over, before ripping open several cabinets and grabbing handful of medical supplies.

He slowly approached her before she took off again, this time out the back door and into the woods behind them. As they traveled towards the field commonly used by the clan's deer, his eyes focused on a familiar figure ahead. He could see Yoshino kneeling on the ground, her body moving slightly.

As they got closer, he saw a small body lying on the ground in front of her.

"Shikamaru!" Shikaku thought, his body stiffening and his heart dropping.

As they approached, Kanoko quickly fell to her feet and started wrapping Shikamaru's bleeding head.

"Yoshino! What happened?" Shikaku almost barked, but controlled himself. His wife had tears running down her face as she held onto her son's bleeding wound. She struggled to speak, but stumbled out, "D-D-Deer… He was… He was feeding the deer… When…" She started huffing uncontrollably.

There was so much blood.

Shikaku moved his wife out of the way to survey the damage to his son and help Kanoko clot the wound.

"We need to transport him to the hospital." Shikaku told his daughter calmly, moving her hands away so he could pick up his son.

Kanoko nodded silently, watching as her father gently picked up Shikamaru . Once he was on his feet, he teleported away with a cloud of smoke, leaving Kanoko and Yoshino to wallow in silence.

Kanoko looked at her bloody hands, and she thought – void of all emotion, "How many times… Must I wear the blood of my brothers…?"

End Flashback

Tobirama raised his hands, eyes still wide. Even though there wasn't anything on his hands, he could see it: The blood. His brothers' blood.

Kawarama's blood.

Itama's blood.

Hashirama's blood.

And now…

Shikamaru's blood.

.

Tobirama's face turned back into an emotionless one before his eyes focused on Hiruzen, "…Should our paths cross again, I hope they are under better conditions."

Hiruzen laughed, "I doubt it, but the thought is appreciated." He paused, turning back to the fight ahead, "…Sensei. Take care of yourself and those important to you."

Tobirama nodded slightly to his student, staring at his fleeing back as paper started to crumble off of him and flowing gently in the wind.

000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Her eyes snapped open as she inhaled loudly.

"Kanoko!" She heard her mother call her name, sounding broken.

Turning over onto her side, Kanoko wheezed out from the pain in her back, "Just what the hell happened to my body?!"

"Hold on! Your body's not fully healed!" A medic yelled at her. She gave him a harsh glare before staggering to her feet.

"NARA KANOKO! YOU GET OFF YOUR FEET THIS INSTANCE AND LET THE MEDICS TAKE CARE OF YOU!" Her mother bellowed at her.

Kanoko merely shrugged her off and stepped around her, looking for her sword.

Shikaku raced over, "Kanoko… Listen to your mother, sh-" He stopped when he saw the deadly look in her eyes.

Kanoko reached a hand out onto her father's shoulder, "…Forgive me, but Shikamaru needs me." With that, Kanoko's arm lit up, stealing her father's chakra. He grunted, stepping back and away from Kanoko.

She had gotten what she needed, so she wasn't concerned.

Her eyes turned to the medics working on the injured. She quickly scanned the crowd before finding a suitable medical ninja. She picked him up by the collar.

"What… Wait a minute!" He exclaimed.

Without another thought, she quickly formed a seal, "Flying Thunder god Jutsu!" She thought, teleporting away.

.

"What just happened?" Inoichi asked, coming up to support his friend.

Shikaku's eyes were wide with disbelief before using his friend to stand up straight, "…I'm not sure… But I have an idea…" Shikaku looked at the sky, "And I hope I'm wrong… Shikamaru…"

00000000000000000000000000

Naruto opened his eyes, when he didn't feel anything.

But when he did…

…He wish he hadn't.

.

Standing before him, protecting him from the blast, was Nara Shikamaru.

.

"S-Shika-SHIKAMARU!" Naruto screamed as he watch Shikamaru's body fall forward, blood flying off of his body and dyeing the sand below a dark red color.

Naruto pushed his body forward, willing it to work. He crawled over to Shikamaru and flipped him over with a grunt.

His eyes widened, "So..So much blood…" His eyes started to water, "Why? Why did you…? You and Kanoko both… Why?"

Shikamaru's eyes were groggy as they moved slowly to Naruto's, "I… Don't know… I guess… I just didn't want to see… A friend die… Even if I do think… Your annoying…" He coughed, eyes rolling back as he groggily mumbled, "And troublesome…"

"SHIKAMARU!" Naruto screamed in a high pitch voice, "NO! YOU HAVE TO STAY WITH ME!"

Tears started flowing down Naruto's face before his attention was diverted to the red and black swirling energy in front of him.

"GYAHHHH!" Gaara cried, holding his head as he tried to control the seal, but failing.

.

Sasuke's eyes were fixed on the scene before him: Shikamaru dying, Naruto crying, Gaara out of control… He looked to Sakura and Pakkun, "What do we do?"

Pakkun opened his mouth to answer when another presence appeared next to Sasuke.

"Sasuke!"

Sasuke looked back, "Kakashi."

Kakashi looked ahead, his Sharingan open, "The curse seal… It's active."

Sasuke nodded, "A Sand ANBU activated it. Naruto had already beaten Gaara when the ANBU attacked."

Kakashi nodded, before looking at Naruto. His eyes widened when he focused on the limp body in Naruto's arms, "No…!" He quickly flickered over to Naruto's position.

Naruto sniffed looking up at his sensei, "S-Sensei! Shika-Shikamaru! He's…!"

Kakashi's eyes softened at Naruto's tear stained face before pulling out some of his medical supplies and working on Shikamaru's wound.

"Can, can you save him?!" Naruto asked, trying to calm himself down.

Kakashi stared at Shikamaru's wound, "I'm… I'm going to try Naruto…"

"YOU HAVE TO!" Naruto wailed at him, his eyes turning to Gaara's form and narrowing. Growling, Naruto slowly struggled to his feet.

"You will pay for hurting my friends…!" Naruto growled out demonically.

Kakashi's eyes widened, "No! Naruto!"

Sasuke also yelled to him, "Naruto! Stop! You don't have any chakra left!"

Naruto's eyes turned cold, "Then I'll use its charka."

"No Naruto! In your current state, you could lose control and then we'll be in even more trouble." Kakashi told him firmly.

Naruto growled, "I won't-"

"Listen to him, Naruto."

Everyone's eyes whipped around to the dark voice.

"Kanoko!" Naruto exclaimed.

Kanoko shoved the medic at Shikamaru before turning her cold eyes on him, "If he doesn't live… Neither do you."

The medic's eyes went wide before quickly running over to Shikamaru and working on his wound.

Kakashi moved out of the way for the medic to work before turning to Kanoko and asking her tentatively, "Don't you think you're being a bit cold?"

Kanoko moved past him, as her eyes, void of all emotion, landed on Gaara's struggling form. She flared her chakra before pulling out two scrolls.

Throwing the first on the ground, she stepped on it, activating it and sending the Nine-Tails chakra she gathered, into her body. Her chakra turned dark orange as she place the second scroll in her mouth.

She quickly formed hand signs, "Infinite Darkness Jutsu." Black covered that entire area around her and Gaara, leaving all those effect blind to their surroundings.

The only thins those outside the jutsu could only see a black ball in front of them.

Gaara called out in rage and pain before Kanoko appeared behind him, "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

"Shadow Possession Jutsu." A clone of Kanoko extended her shadow to Gaara, trapping him in place. He fought the hold and it took everything the clone had to hold him down while the real Kanoko worked.

The real Kanoko moved in and thrusted her hand into his back, sucking his chakra out. Kanoko's eyes narrowed as she winced, "I have never been more grateful in creating this seal… To convert a demon's chakra and the cursed chakra at the same time is asking a lot…" Kanoko grunted and the continuous chakra flooding to her, "Even so… This is too much!"

A third Kanoko appeared in front of him and pulled out another scroll, "Sealing Technique: Spirit Sealing!"

"GYAAAH!" Gaara cried, as his soul was pulled from his body roughly and painfully. The clone quickly finished the seal before popping away. The clone hold the shadow possession also popped away.

Kanoko fell to the ground, panting heavily. She turned her eyes to her shoulder, as she held it in pain. Chakra had started to escape the seal's confinements and started bleeding into her skin, burning it as it travelled.

Stumbling over to the scroll as Gaara's lifeless body dropped, she quickly got to work – it would only be a matter of time before the tailed beast realized that the vessel's soul has departed. Her hands moved rapidly over Gaara's body, placing her hand over his body and using the chakra she stole to add additional layers to the Jinchuriki's seal.

The chakra sealed behind flared out at her. The beast was beginning to awaken and as proof, Gaara's body started collecting sand. Kanoko cursed, her eyes dropping due to her rapidly depleting reserves. She struggled to push out more chakra, but succeed in matching the old seal to the new seal – taught to her by Hashirama's wife – an Uzumaki.

The sand fell from his body as the seal solidified.

Sitting back, sweat pouring down her face, Kanoko moved over to her scroll. She activated it and removed Gaara's soul, placing it back into his body – which was now removed of its curse mark.

Kanoko brought her hands together, "Release."

The blackness moved away from her and Gaara.

"Kanoko!" "Gaara!"

Kakashi ran towards Kanoko as Gaara's siblings ran towards him.

Gaara's eyes slowly opened. Temari kneeled down to him, "…Gaara… Are you ok?"

Gaara looked at his sister, thinking for a moment before nodding, "Yes… That curse mark… It's gone."

Temari and Kankuro turned to Kanoko in surprise before Kakashi picked her up and brought her back to Naruto's and Shikamaru's location.

When she was placed on the ground, her eyes went straight for Shikamaru. She turned to the medic, but this time, without her cold demeanor. Her eyes softened, "How is he?"

The medic looked a bit nervous, but could sense Kanoko's calm, "…Yes. The blast was fatal, but luckily… With Hatake-san applying first aid right away and the quick medical support, I expect him to make a full recovery."

Kanoko smiled warmly, "Good… Thank you…"

And that was the last thing she said before passing out for a good long nap.

Just before she drifted off, she thought, "I just wish I could have saved you too… Hiruzen…"

.

---

Author's Note: THANK YOU ALL FOR THE AWESOME REVIEWS!

I get so excited when my phone "dings" with an email and I see it's a review! You guys are just amazingly awesome! Again, your thoughts play a huge part in my story – forming ideas and fixing issues that may crop up. And I LOVE to hear about what parts you love the most. I literally can't even explain how awesome it feels to read such encouraging reviews!

I will continue to work on this story after work and on the weekends, and I'm going to try to make the chapters a little shorter so I can update more often!

Thank you again and I hope this chapter came out readable and enjoyable. So much is going on that I agonize over its fluidity.