Hello my dear readers. I finally was able to get this chapter to where I wanted it to be. Took a little longer, and as you can all see that I was working on other tales as well. That's just how a writer's mind works. Sometimes new ideas come in and pull you in until you are infatuated with them that you can't let go!

I want to say that this story is 2/3 of the way done. I'm giving it my best to get 'er done, send me muse dust peoples, I could use it. For those of you celebrating Christmas, I wish for you to have a safe and happy holiday time. I, am working all through the holidays, but that's okay, people need crisis workers to be available. :D

On with the show!

==xx00x00x00x00x00x==

Kushina woke at dawn, pacing around her chambers, looking out the window now and then, seeing the Uchiha knights congregate and head out to where Orochimaru's encampment was situated.

She gnawed at her bottom lip in thought, running the palms of her hands over her hair while thoughts of her next move would be. She didn't know what Orochimaru had planned, but at this point, there was no doubt in her mind that he would do anything to get what he wanted.

There was so much that had transpired just in the past two days. Orochimaru's two guards stood outside her door the entire night, not allowing Kushina an inch out of her chambers. She frowned and slapped her fist into her other hand. "Can't keep a good queen down," she spoke to herself. She thought of Konan first, the young girl was terrified when Orochimaru pulled her away from her. She needed to rescue the young girl from that despicable king. Heading over to her wardrobe, she grabbed clothing that would better suit her while she escaped her own chambers. She was no weakling and she didn't put up with BS. It was time for her to show the Sound king and his underlings just what type of woman they were dealing with.

Looking about the room, she devised a plan. She knew the guards would be loyal to Orochimaru, so she would have to be convincing. She grabbed a handful of her garbs and a candle, moving towards the door.

"Look, there!" One of the guards by the door called out. The second guard looked to see that billows of black smoke began to billow out from under the door.

"Shit!" The one guard spat and rushed to Kushina's chamber door. "Let's get the fire out before it spreads throughout the castle!"

Both guards pushed their way through the heavy door, slamming it open and were met with a war cry. Kushina came leaping through the smoke, her hands firmly placed on a candle bra and she flung with all her might into one of the guards. She connected with the back of one, who promptly fell to the floor. Kushina quickly found her ground and jumped at the other stunned guard and kicked him hard in the chest. The force of her kick and his surprise had the second guard stumble back and trip into the door.

Kushina didn't wait to see what the result of her attack, she sprinted from the room as quickly as possible heading for the nearest exit. She needed to find one of her own loyal knights to ensure her safety and work on her next plan.

A sudden explosion shook the silence on the field, bursting sound waves between the wall of knights. A large cloud of smoke immediately filled the air, blinding everyone and a bellowed war cry infiltrated the silence. Within moments, the sounds of dozens of men cried out in response and the fight began.

The clash of steel stole any noise from the field before the smoke had even begun to lift. The war cries of the knights bellowed and screamed, and the sickening sounds of flesh being pierced and sliced echoed through Sasuke's ears. He moved about, his blade smashing against those who tried to attack, his eyes squinting to try and see through the smoke. "Itachi!" he cried out as he slammed his blade against yet another Sound kingdom knight trying to take his life.

As he pivoted around, swinging his sword, feeling satisfied when he felt his blade pierce through the soft flesh of the enemy, he had only a moment to look about for his brother before another Sound knight tried to attack from behind. "Fucker," Sasuke seethed between his teeth as he pivoted around again, his sword clashing with the other. He needed to find Itachi, protect him! But as he pushed against the other, this one wasn't going down as easy as he had hoped.

.

.

.

Itachi couldn't help but stumble when his knights quickly surrounded him, someone grabbed him and thrust him within a protective circle of knights.

"Majesty, stay here!" It was Yamato, who gave him a brief nod in the smoke and Itachi barely heard him. The explosion was still ringing in his ears, but the noises of clashing metal and war cries were coming through. He turned his head about, realising he was surrounded by his faithful knights, but — Haku!

Itachi couldn't see his betrothed anywhere, and the knights that surrounded him were busy clashing against the wall of Sound knights that had attacked. The smoke was still blinding everyone and Itachi growled as his eyes tried to pierce through the wall of smoke. "Haku!" he called out, turning back and forth, searching desperately. But the wall of battle noises swallowed his cries and he clenched his fists, the one gripping his cane desperately. If only he wasn't crippled! He could fight his way out! "Haku!" he cried out again, the smoke lifting slowly but not fast enough in Itachi's eyes. "Fuck it," he whispered and saw a small break between the knights. Moving his cane, he slipped between the battling knights, swinging and jabbing his cane at the enemy when he could in hopes that it could assist his own knights in victory. He tried to head in the direction that he last saw Haku being protected by the Uchiha knights, hoping to the gods that he was alright.

Haku dropped to his knees, his hands covering his veiled ears when the explosion happened. He barely held back a shriek of fear and began to tremble when he heard the cries of the knights all around him. He couldn't move, never before had he been in the middle of such a chaotic situation. The ringing in his ears from the explosion was loud, and the clash of metal, men screaming out and knights falling covered in blood, had Haku squeezing his eyes shut and trying to curl into a ball as tight as possible.

Haku did scream when a body crashed to the ground before him, the metal armour rattling before going silent. He opened his eyes as he fell back to the ground on his ass, and the widened frozen and frightened eyes of a knight stared back at him. Haku covered his mouth to suppress his cry out from fear, his body frozen from the site. He had never seen a dead man before. When he felt someone grab him suddenly, lifting him from the ground, he began to wail and thrash, his mind only knowing one thing — fight.

"I've got you majesty!" Kakashi's voice yelled out, his one arm holding onto the thrashing bride on his hip, his other arm waving his sword about, cutting his way through the throes of the battle. "I'm going to get you out of here!" Kakashi grunted out, calling out to the petit Uchiha bride.

Haku heard the voice and stopped immediately. He managed to loop his arms around Kakashi's neck and squeezed, pushing his face into Kakashi's shoulder, pleading to the gods that they would get out alive. He couldn't take the scene around him anymore — the sounds of metal clashing and the sounds of screams coming from the men's lips. The vision of the dead man falling before him continued to roll before his closed eyes.

"Haku!"

Haku lifted his head, seeking out the voice he knew well. Kakashi continued to grunt and swing his sword at the knights that were all around. The smoke had lifted enough for Haku to see through, and he saw Itachi, making his way towards them. Haku nearly sobbed in relief at seeing his future husband, Kakashi trying to make his way towards the Uchiha king. He let out a gasp of surprise when Kakashi lost his footing and fell towards the ground. Throwing his arms out to catch himself, Haku managed to soften his fall, looking frantically around him as Kakashi attempted to get himself back up, sword at the ready. "Stay down! Stay here!" Kakashi called out as he swung himself around, blocking a Sound knight's sword from swooping down on them both.

"Haku!" Itachi yelled, attempting to push his way towards him, shoving his cane at the knights that battled around him.

Haku's eyes were wide and frozen at the scene of carnage taking place all around him. Kakashi was battling before him, his grunts and swears under his breath as the Sound knight was keeping him busy. Behind him he could hear the cries of other men smashing their swords together. But through the reminiscence of the smoke, the swinging of swords, Itachi pressed forward before he fell to his knees just before Haku, reaching out with both arms.

"Haku! My bride! Are you—" Itachi cried out, reaching out before his words were stolen from his lips.

Haku then screamed when the end of a bloodied blade poked through Itachi's chest before his eyes. He couldn't stop screaming as blood began to trickle from Itachi's lips and dark eyes looked down at his chest.

Kakashi hollered out a mad cry and attacked the knight behind Itachi, swords clashing and the Sound knight stumbled back but held his ground at Kakashi's continuous attack.

"ITACHI!" Haku's voice pierced through the air. Somehow he found his movement and he crawled towards the Uchiha king frantically, not noticing that his gown, gloves and veil were now tattered and covered with mud and blood. He did not see any of the battles that went on around him, his eyes focused only on his Uchiha king, who balanced vicariously on his knees and the dark red stain began to grow rapidly within Itachi's robes.

He grasped the Uchiha king into his arms as Itachi's larger body fell against his own. "No! No! No! Itachi!" Haku cried out, trying his best to grab at Itachi's head, wanting to look into the king's eyes. "You're okay, shh–shhh– you're okay." Haku's voice cracked and whispered, as he pet Itachi's long hair and tried to tilt his head carefully. Itachi was still breathing, but his face was pale, and Haku's tears fell when Itachi managed to open his eyes and lift his bloodied lips into a small smile.

"Hello my l-love," Itachi's broken voice came out in a hoarse whisper. "Y-you're dirty." Itachi chuckled with his smile only to begin to cough, blood spittle escaping his lips.

"Don't talk, I'm g-gonna get you a doctor," Haku sputtered out, petting Itachi's hair around his face. He looked frantically around through the clutter of knights, who ignored them as they fought against each other. Blood, body parts and armour were flying in all directions. "H-help! Please!" Haku called out hoarsely.

"Itachi!" Sasuke's voice cried out as he slid to his knees beside the pair. "Itachi, w-what happened!" His eyes widened in fright, seeing the blood patch on his chest.

"H-he needs a doctor, p-please," Haku choked out.

"Hold him, I'll get one. I'll be right back nii-san," Sasuke spat out, quickly getting to his feet, sprinting in a direction.

"H-haku, love," Itachi whispered. He lowered his head on Haku's shoulder, taking short breaths. "Don't cry, I'll b-be alright. I-I just need to r-rest a m-moment." He closed his eyes. "J-just give me—"

"Itachi?" Haku placed his hand on the back of Itachi's head. "T-tachi?" Haku felt Itachi's body get heavier, slumping against him and Haku felt a cold pain pierce through his heart. Gently he let Itachi fall to the side, laying the Uchiha king on the ground. Haku cradled his head, his fingers grasping the side of Itachi's head. "Tachi? Tachi?"

Itachi's eyes didn't open, his skin was near grey in colour, his lips were parted but Haku couldn't see any breath escaping those lips. He looked down to the blooming red spot on Itachi's robes and a frigid sharp pain slid through his veins, making his body shake from the intensity.

Rage blurred through his eyes at the sight of his betrothed laying lifeless before him; his body trembled, his hands clenched, and his jaw clamped tight. The pain, grief, shock struck his body with force and he let it. The fierce emotional onslaught scream that left his lips suddenly, Haku didn't hear. Anger, resentment and the overwhelming desire to destroy everything, anything, anyone around him engulfed him, washing out the pain and grief.

The ear splitting sound of a scream was what had Sasuke skid to a stop and quickly turn around from where he just ran from. He didn't see anything before a wind force slammed into him tossing him backwards like a rag doll, as well as all the other knights in the field. The blast was ice cold, pieces of ice peppered his skin painfully, as if someone was poking him with hundreds of needles. When he slammed to the ground, bouncing off of other men, his body slid for sometime before coming to a stop.

Sasuke groaned in pain, feeling the needle prickling all over his head like rain, he flimsy used his arms to cover his head as the shrieking continued. The air was ice cold, nearly suffocating him as it felt like every breath was freezing his lungs. He tried to get his knees up under him, while holding his arms over his head. What the fuck was going on?! New magic user that Orochimaru was using against them? Was it the dragon? Determined, Sasuke managed to flip over, sit up and squint his eyes through the ice fog and gail force winds that had suddenly engulfed the area, shielding his eyes with his arm from the swirling winds and shards of ice.

Through the fog he saw a shadowed form hovering several metres above the battlefield. An icey blue beam of light was coming from the forms head, shooting straight into the sky, creating the icy fog blasts and shards of ice flying in all directions. The shrill of the scream continued to pierce Sasuke's ears, and he recognized it immediately as a cry of pain, from someone's lips. He remembered feeling that same pain when his parents' lives were ripped from him, all those years ago.

Sasuke could now see the blood and mud spread out all over Haku's now torn and tattered gown and veil. Haku was floating, was the centre of the shrieking wailing sound and immaculate blue beam of light shooting directly straight into the sky, from his head?

Sasuke had no time to figure out what was going on with Haku. "Itachi," Sasuke whispered to himself. He found the strength to get to his feet and battle against the frigid gail winds pushing towards the form he now knew was Haku.

Orochimaru gathered himself from where he fell, pushing away the bodies around him angrily. "Kabuto!" he bellowed through the force of winds ripping around him. "Kabuto!" he cried out again, holding his arm up to his face while looking around him. Many of the bodies around him were either dead or moaning out in agony from their wounds or from what chaos was swirling around them.

"Sire! Here!" Kabuto called out, hunched over while he struggled to move against the icy winds that whipped at his body.

Orochimaru stumbled towards the man, "what happened? Is this your doing!?" His voice was laced with anger as he glared at the other.

"No sire! I only released the smoke bomb! This– this is something else!" Kabuto looked about. "Look over there!" He pointed towards the shadowed figure hovering over the field, the icy blue blast still emanating from his head into the sky. The ice crystallised air blew about in a swirled mass, creating a vortex around them.

"Release the beast and get it to destroy that—that whatever it is, NOW!" Orochimaru snapped at Kabuto.

"With pleasure!" Kabuto turned to push against the winds towards the direction where the large shadowed form of the beast still lay.

"Haku! Haku!" Sasuke screamed out while pushing himself towards the floating figure. "Stop! Haku! Where is Itachi?" He continued to holler as loud as he could, the gail force winds were screaming in a cyclone around Haku's hovering figure but Sasuke feared the worst for Itachi. He knew Haku was with Itachi just a few moments ago and now…

Haku's shrieks didn't stop. The icy blue beam continued to shoot directly into the sky, the winds and ice continued to swirl at a speed that Sasuke barely could hold himself up. He found himself crawling through the blood soaked soil, the ice shards in the ground slicing into his hands and knees, but he continued forward. He needed to find Itachi.

Another explosion shook the air, causing a rift against the swirling ice winds and the unmistakable sound of the dragon's roar rippled through Sasuke's ears. He stopped, turned towards the sound and his heart began to beat erratically. There was no mistaking it, the monstrous shadow that was taking shape within the frigid ice encrusted swirling winds, was making its way towards Sasuke – the dragon — and no doubt in his mind that it was going to trample through anything to get to Haku. That included him and Itachi.

He pushed his way through the whirlwind, determined to find Itachi and get him out of the dragon's path. Haku's shrill painful cry was still going high above his head, but the winds were not as powerful the closer he got to the centre. He was able to see Itachi's form on the ground, almost directly under Haku's feet and he sprinted to his aniki's form. "Itachi!" he called out, dropping to his knees, a bolt of fear going through his chest at what he could see.

Itachi's skin was pale, a grey sickly colour, 'the colour of death,' Sasuke thought to himself. The dark blood staining his front chest had practically soaked his entire robe and Sasuke struggled to not scream in agony at the site. He didn't know if Itachi was dead or alive but it didn't matter. He moved to get his arms beneath his aniki's limp body, determined to carry him out of there.

The sounds of the dragon roaring behind him had Sasuke moving as fast as he could with Itachi's limp body in his arms. Gods knew how he managed to get through the slough of bodies and other knights scrambling to get out of the area, but he almost cried in relief seeing Kakashi rushing towards him. When Kakashi took Itachi's form, Sasuke bent over, hands on his knees trying to catch his breath.

"What the fuck–" Kakashi whispered, holding Itachi close to him, protecting the kings head from the flying ice and debris.

"It's Haku, and the dragon," Sasuke breathed out while turning to see the chaos. He could now see the sickening tortured body of the dragon and Sasuke could not fathom how the beast was moving around. But when he saw the glow of purple coming off the dragon's head, he knew. He recalled the cloaked figure that shoved a purple orb up the dragon's snout the other night, the incantation and the dragon's fogged purple eyes. "The dragon is spellbound. Under control by one of Orochimaru's lakey's that I had seen take control the other night. The dragon doesn't know any better!" Sasuke exclaimed, hoping that Kakashi understood.

"Either way, we need to get out of here," Kakashi only said and started moving in the opposite direction. "The only good coming out of this, is that it may have taken out most of Orochimaru's men."

Sasuke dropped to his knees when a heated explosion happened behind him, the shock waves pushing him down. "What the fuck!" he shouted, looking to see if Kakashi and Itachi were alright. Kakashi hovered over Itachi's body, protecting it still. The heavy roar coming from the dragon shook through the air and Sasuke rolled over to get a look.

A mushroom cloud of flames had shot up in the sky, directly within the blue icy beam that was coming from Haku. The icy winds had died down dramatically and Sasuke could see the dragon had fallen to its side. Sasuke felt anger rush through him once more seeing the tortured body of the dragon once more. He figured the blast wave must have knocked the weakened beast over.

He then saw a smaller shadowed figure falling to the ground, not swiftly, but more like floating softly downwards towards the earth.

"Haku!" Sasuke yelled out, knowing that it was his aniki's betrothed. The screams that were coming from the small form were no longer. The winds had diminished as quickly as they erupted and the flames that had exploded had evaporated into the air. Sasuke jumped to his feet, rushing towards Haku's falling form, the thought of the dragon attacking not even on his mind. He slid across the earth, gathering up the smaller man in his arms, who's robes were torn and caked in blood and mud. His veil, surprisingly, was still secured to his head, though it was ripped in various areas and Sasuke could see parts of Haku's face. He quickly patted around Haku's body, searching for any injuries that could suggest the blood on his outfit was his own. He breathed a sigh of relief not finding any injuries. Haku was unconscious, but breathing steady. There was still an icy hew in the air and Sasuke could see the white breathy fog escaping Haku's lips.

A crackling noise boomed above him, looking up, Sasuke gasped out a surprise as what appeared to be a tear in the sky was high above him. The light was bright, Sasuke squinted, and beams of lightning pierced out from it, over and over. The hair on Sasuke's neck rose from the sudden electricity being released into the air. "What the hell is that?" he whispered to himself, clutching Haku close to his chest.

A flash temporarily blinded Sasuke that he had to look away, and the sound of something thudding hard into the earth nearby had him whipping his head towards the sound. The tear in the sky was no longer present, the lightning had ceased and as the smoke, ash and fog began to dissipate, a large rectangular box began to appear. Sasuke squinted through the reflective lights that were coming from the item, trying to get a better view of the foreign object that had suddenly appeared. When his eyes adjusted, he took in the form, and could see that the object was quite large, white trimmed with a reflective surface.

"Is that… A mirror?" Sasuke whispered to himself, his confusion now heightened.