Hello. I'm just keeping my word. I know I'm updating a lot right now but people seem to be liking it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

Orochimaru chuckled as his disguise fell away and the old man glared at him with a clenched fist. It was such a pleasure to see him angry and off guard. "What's the matter sensei? Aren't you happy to see me?" He asked as Hiruzen shook minisculey with rage. "And look, you're with me all on your lonesome."

Well, not quite. There was that chunin over there. He looked kind of familiar too. Wait, was that, "Iruka?" Orochimaru asked shocked. "Is that you?"

The chunin looked up, the definative scar across his nose clear for all to see. "It is you. Oh what a happy day this is. I get to kill my old sensei and catch up with one of my long lost students." Orochimaru smirked. "So I see you stayed here. Didn't even wait for my seal hmm?"

"Anko got it. I see it worked." Iruka said flatly. "And you tried to replace me with Kabuto. He's quite sloppy at undercover work sensei. He should know better. I caught him within seconds of him ariving."

Hiruzen looked at Iruka with a look of aprehension. Orochimaru was thrilled however. "Ah I know. But it's his way of having fun. So have you considered my offer? It's still open."

"I have always considered it." Iruka admitted. "Every day since you left."

"Good. Then stay out of my way while I deal with my dear old sensei here." Orochimaru ordered, readying his fighting stance. And that was when Hiruzen moved.

The barrier was designed to limit his sensei's movemnt, since the old man was a very agile fighter. And for all that Orochimaru bragged about killing him, the Third was still a very powerful shinobi. He was one that Orochimaru had considered an unsurmountable peak, one that he couldn't best. Except for now. Now he would manage. He blocked the first blow from Hiruzen and the game was on.

They traded a few jutsu, Orochimaru making use of his stolen Wood Release Kekki Genki while Hiruzen poured out chakra into his vast combination of jutsu. Orochimaru drew his sword from his throat and Hiruzen summoned Enma the Mokney King who transformed into a staff. They dueled back and forth, the Third obviously tiring but matching Orochimaru in every way, and often coming out of the exchange the better. Orochimaru knew if he hadn't engineered himself an advanced healing factor he'd be very injured by now. As it was, he was actually losing. Bother.

Enough games then. If Hiruzen could match him, he'd play on the old man's weaknesses. Such as his sentimental streak. "I told you when I left sensei I would master all the jutsu in this world." He reminded Hiruzen. "I've worked very hard the last few years to learn them all."

"I know. I've seen the results of your handiwork. You're a poor scientist and a worse butcher." The Third told him coldly. "And I know why you've marked Sasuke. You won't take his eyes. That I promise you."

"Bold words. And off topic. I was about to show you a new jutsu I've managed." Orochimaru grinned as he lifted up two kunai, each with a scroll attatched to them, and with his arms fully extended pointed them at his sensei. "I've found a way to turn back death."

Hiruzen's face went white and Orochimaru let himself feel the power in that shock. He'd surprised and outwitted one of the brightest men in the world. "If you're so certain you can defeat me, let's see how well you do against the First and Second Hokages!" He sneered as his sensei flinched at the idea and two coffins started to rise out of the ground, the Third horror struck and unmoving. "I haven't even brought back the Fourth yet. Sentement. It will be the death of you."

"My thoughts exactly." Came a different voice. And Orochimaru all but screamed at the sudden pain of two knives entering his body, just under the armpits.

"I had long considered your offer. Every time the village did something I detested, every time I had some idiot glare at me when I walked down the street, every time one of the villagers called Anko snake whore I thought about it." Iruka came out from behind Orochimaru, eyes cold as he stared the rogue Senin down. "And every time I did, I thought about what you did to Anko, to me. And I thought about those I swore to protect, what you would do to them if you came back. Or if I wasn't around to help them. I looked at what you were sensei, I saw you for what you really are. And I decreed no more." With that, he tore off the seals on the kunai and the coffins vanished, leaving rotting corpses in their place that Iruka destroyed with a Fireball jutsu.

Orochimaru hissed and only partially from the pain. This wasn't supposed to happen at all.

(Nothing else seems to work)

Naruto saw the feathers start to fall and Kurama sent a pulse of chakra through his system before anyone could blink, dispelling the sleep jutsu with ease. Kankerou and Temari both stood up and moved towards him and Shikimaru but Naruto had his sword in hand and pointed at them. "I can cleave through the both of you before you blink." He warned. "Get your brother out of here. He's about to wake up the demon and if he does it'll kill us all."

Temari flinched and Kankerou swallowed heavily before taking off to grab their sibling. Naruto waited until they were gone to nudge Shikimaru. "Up and at 'em lazy bones. If you're asleep wake up because we're being invaded." Naruto looked around for Shino but the bug user had vanished as soon as the genjutsu had hit.

"I don't want to. Too much work." Shikimaru protested.

"You know what's easy? Having your throat slit. And that's what will happen if you don't get up." Naruto warned. "I'll leave you here and you'll wake up choking on blood."

Shikimaru grunted but levered himself upright. "I don't see my sensei anywhere." He told Naruto.

"I see mine. Let's get over there. There are civillians in the crowd." Naruto looked down in the arena and cursed. "Damn it Hayate, why'd you send Sasuke after Gaara?"

"He what?" Shikimaru looked down and saw Sasuke chasing after the Sand Trio. "Shit."

"Le'ts go see Kakashi-sensei." Naruto told him, jumping down the steps, Shikimaru close behind.

Three masked shinobi appeared in front of them, one with an Otto headband and the other two with Suna. The Otto charged the boys with a kunai in hand, one of the Suna prepared a handful of sebon needles and the third drew a sword.

Naruto didn't pause, bringing the sword to bear and slashing through the Otto-nin's guard. He cleaved the man in half while Shikimaru froze the one with a sebon in place with his Shadow Possesission. The sword weilding Suna-nin would have been a problem if Naruto hadn't thrown explosive notes at him and knocked him backwards with his sword. The explosion was too fast and large to get away from in time. Both enemy shinobi were blown up in the blast, with little left behind other than a crater.

Shikimaru groaned. "A little warning please. I get backlash." He told Naruto, shaking his arms out and looking a little pale.

"Sorry. But we still need to get moving." Naruto told him.

"Get some Bunshin out." Kurama ordered. "This is all over Konoha. We don't have enough shinobi to guard the civillians right now. Get them some cover."

"Go to Kakashi, I'm going to cover the civillians." Naruto ordered Shikimaru. "Kage Bunshin no Justsu!"

One hundred Bunshin appeared before Naruto, all leaping off sword in hand, knowing exactly what they were supposed to do. Naruto jumped into the stands where Kakashi and Gai were fighting beside Hinata and Sakura. Naruto felt strangely relieved upon seeing them all all right.

Kakashi looked over at Naruto and Shikimaru. "Good to see you boys." He called out. "We've got a problem."

"Yeah. Sasuke went after Gaara sensei. Alone!" Naruto told him frantically. "Gaara's got both his siblings for back up. He needs help."

"You're right." Kakashi threw a kunai through a nearby Suna-nin. "Sakura, Shikimaru, Naruto. I have an S-ranked mission for you. You are to follow Sasuke and the four of you take down Gaara. If he releases the demon there's no telling how much damage he'll do."

"Wait, Gaara's a jinchuriki? How the hell do we fight that?" Shikimaru asked.

"With strategy and good hits. They aren't invincible. Sasuke almost took him out on his own. With back up he can manage." Sakura told him firmly.

"S-sensei I'll come too. I can find Sasuke the fastest." Hinata told him.

Kakashi frowned. "Hinata, you're still injured and-"

"I'm healed. Iruka sensei healed me. Sasuke is my teammate, and I won't abandon him." Hinata retorted.

Kakashi looked at Hinata for a moment, and saw Naruto moving to back her. And he smiled. "You're all growing up so fast." He murmered. "Ok, give me a second."

One flury of hand seals later and a small ninja dog appeared in front of the group. "Pakkun, you're going to lead these four Sasuke. Got it? Try and keep them out of the way of approaching shinobi."

"You got it boss. But isn't this a big team? Four man squad normally." Pakkun told him.

"You're not a fighter." Naruto pointed out. "You lead and we'll take care of the four man squad part."

Pakkun glanced at Kakashi, who nodded. "All right. Your call. Follow me."

(Nothing Else Seems To Work)

"You always were one to prepare sensei, but you were arrogant. You saw only one path." Iruka picked up the two kunai Orochimaru dropped. "If it didn't match your vision it didn't belong."

"I am arrogant? Look at what I've accomplished!" Orochimaru snapped back. "I have found a way to reverse death!"

"No. You use an exchange. That's old news." Hiruzen told him softly. "Chiyou of Sunna has long since mastered such a technique. Your stolen bodies will not save you here. Today you die."

Hiruzen looked at Iruka who stood in a relaxed possition, both kunai held loosely in his hands. The message on the scroll was clearer now. Orochimaru is the Kazekage. He is attempting an assination. I will assist.

Hiruzen had thought Iruka meant assist Orochimaru. It turned out he meant assist the Third. But Iruka was not skilled enough to take on Orochimaru alone. They'd need to work together.

"What will you do my old student? You know you can't match me." Orochimaru rolled his shoulders. "You're still a mere chunin."

Iruka laughed softly. "I'm a mere chunin thanks to you sensei." Iruka stated. "You know how skilled I was when I left. And I've only improved."

"Unlikely. You're a teacher at the Academy." Orochimaru mocked. "Do the children playing ninja tire you out?"

"A little. Mostly the remind me of what you always told me. A lesson I took to heart." Iruka shrugged. "No, I train the Academy students as my day job. It's fun. I think you'll recognise my real job quite easily."

Iruka sheathed the two kunai, before reaching onto his back and pulling out a familiar looking tanto. Orochimaru stared for a moment. "Where did you get that?" He demanded.

"It's standard for ANBU, especially their captains, to carry such a blade isn't it?" Iruka asked with a smirk. "Like I told a friend earlier, everyone needs a teacher."

Orochimaru scowled. "It doesn't matter. Even the ANBU of this village are pathetic."

"No." Iruka's eyes flashed with anger now. "They are great men and women who work every day to keep their village safe from threats, threats so great and so deep in the shadows that the village goes day to day without realising they passed. This is our home. My home. And this is my Hokage. And while there is breath in me, you shall not harm him!"

"Then breathe no more!" Orochimaru snarled and charged.

(Nothing Else Seems To Work)

"Your clones have evacutaed most of the staduim. Kakashi has met up with Asuma and they are taking on more of the invading shinobi." Kurama informed Naruto. "And Sasuke is gaining on the Suna-nin. Shino is taking on Kankerou and doesn't wish anyone to interfere."

Naruto nodded and Hinata made a quick gesture to let him know she got the message too. "Sasuke just sent us a message. He's gaining on Gaara and his sister. Kankerou is being engaged by Shino who says he can handle it." Naruto told the team.

"How is Sasuke contacting you?" Shikimaru asked suspiciously.

"Through a seal I made." Was all Naruto said. Sakura looked suspicious now, and Naruto was willing to bet she knew there wasn't a publically known seal to let people communicate silently. Ah well. He'd probably have to tell her eventually, if she didn't figure it out after seeing the fight. Shikimaru too.

"Hold up. There are enemy shinobi ahead. Ten of them, strong chakra signitures. High chunin at least." Pakkun warned the team.

"Ten?" Hinata asked. "Th-that's a lot."

"Too many. They'll slow us down." Sakura muttered.

"No they won't. And we can't afford an ambush later. Naruto, how many more clones can you make?" Shikimaru asked.

"A bunch, why?" Naruto asked.

"We adapt what we did before. Your clones will engage, I'll snag them with my shadow, your clones cleave through them. They'll all have the big sword you've got." Shikimaru stated. "Sakura can mask our approach with an area genjutsu while Hinata keeps an eye out for any other attackers. Pakkun stays close to Hinata so he's safe."

"Sounds like a plan." Sakura stated. "I'm for it."

"Might as well." Naruto agreed, a small knot of anxiety sitting in his stomach. He'd be killing a lot today.

The attack started as planned with Naruto's clones rushing forward while Shikimaru caught all the shinobi in his Shadow Possession. Before Naruto could react, Shikimaru called out, "Wait! There's only nine!"

A volley of shuriken popped Naruto's clones, both here and in the main attack, rushing him with the memories of their kills. Naruto stumbled at the sudden backlash, and turned to face the shinobi in the trees. That was before apparently another batch of his clones got killed by stepping on an explosive tag.

Naruto collapsed, holding his head as memories of the clones' deaths, and the lives they'd taken or failed to save, assaulted his consciousness. He couldn't more or defend himself, and even as Shikimaru grabbed the hidden Otto-nin with his shadow the kunai was already launched.

Sakura suddenly materialised from a genjutsu, knocking the kunai away before pulling Naruto aside and drawing up another genjutsu to hide them while Hinata lept into the tree and killed the shinobi hidden there with a burst of chakra to the head.

Shikimaru grunted before retracting his shadow. "Guys, we need to deal with these nine soon. This is a real strain on my reserves."

Hinata turned her attention to Naruto though, who was sweating and shaking. "So much death." He murmered, so softly she could barely hear him.

"Naruto?" She asked quietly. When he didn't respond, Hianta raised a glowing hand and told Sakura, "We need to take care of it. Naruto's in no shape to."

"N-no." Naruto said, coughing once and standing up, his grip firm on his sword. "I'll do it."

"Naruto-kun, you don't have to-" Hinata protested but Naruto shook his head.

"I'll take care of it." He said quietly. "It's easier this way." And with one dash and swing, he cleaved all nine shinobi in half.

Hinata, Shikimaru and Sakura all stared. Naruto shuddered again as more clones relayed their memories back, closing his eyes and trying not to cry. Not here, not now. Sasuke needed them. "Come on. We need to keep moving."

(Nothing Else Seems To Work)

Sasuke stared at the hulking mass of sand before him, its shape resembling a racoon and a dog. Wasn't there a creature that looked like both of those?

It didn't matter what it was called. Right now, surviving was all that mattered.

Sasuke ducked down, rolled out of the way of a volley of sand only to be knocked off his feet by a sudden burst of wind. Fighting Gaara alone would be nearly impossible, fighting his sister beside him was worse. He needed to eliminate her quickly.

Taijutsu was an option, if he could get close enough. Temari had shown in the stadium that trees were difficult for her knock down, so he could dart from tree to tree and ambush her. Fire jutsu could also work, since it would take a strong Wind jutsu to absorb the attack. But those would both leave him open for Gaara.

Sasuke ducked under a blown in kunai, noting distance and speed with his Sharingan. This wasn't working. He was outnumbered, and in case of one of the fighters, definitely outgunned. There was no way for him to take Gaara down without excessive force, something that he was lacking. Using that first Chidori had drained his reserves, and all the other jutsu he was using weren't making it easier. This was a fight he couldn't afford to prolong.

Sasuke began running through the trees, hoping his opponents would lose sight of him for a moment if he kept vanishing like this. He was fast enough that he could maybe, just maybe, get out of sight.

And as that thought was completed, a massive gust of wind knocked him off the branches and almost plummeting into the forest floor below. Had he not been close enough to the tree trunk to grab it, he would have fallen. This wasn't working at all.

Sasuke couldn't run, not after all this. As long as Gaara was here, Konoha was safe from him. He didn't know what would happen if Gaara completely released the demon but if Naruto and Kurama were to be believed it would be very, very bad. He needed to end this fight sooner rather than later, and he couldn't do that on the defensive.

Sasuke had just enough chakra left in him to use the Chidori again. But only the once. Kakashi had been adamant about that.

"Your limit is two uses of Chidori a day." Kakashi warned, the memory floating in his ear. "More than that and it probably won't work. And your own internal reserves will be drained, leaving you no choice but to use the curse mark's power. And if that happens, Orochimaru will start to take you. He'll win."

No way would Sasuke let Orochimaru win. The man was arrogant and vile, and had tried to kill his friends. It would be a cold day in hell before Sasuke let that man win.

He would be too drained to use Chidori soon. He didn't have the reserves to play defensive, especially not with his Sharingan. So that meant offensive. How to get Temari out of the way though…

"Sasuke. Back up is less than two minutes away." Kurama told him as he leapt for cover again. "If you time that Phoenix Flower jutsu right, you can take advantage of that wind. It will buy your some time and give you some cover."

That could work. "Thanks." Sasuke sent back. "Please tell them to be careful. Gaara's not looking human anymore."

"They know. Don't worry Sasuke, I won't leave you alone here. Let's finish what we started." Kurama told him. "Temari has a one and a half second completion time for her swings as she builds her chakra up. Give her a target."

Sasuke took a deep breath and nodded, flipping rapidly through hand signs. As he nearly finished the jutsu, he dove out of cover, and ran had first at Temari.

Temari saw Sasuke's charge and smirked as she twisted her fan. But Sasuke knew what she was going to do, his Sharingan playing it in slow motion just for him. Sasuke completed his jutsu and spat out, "Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"

Temari brought her hand down too late, her attack completed as six spheres of fire blasted towards her, her own wind jutsu strengthening the attack. Temari was forced to drop behind her fan, giving a sharp cry as the metal heated up suddenly, burning her hands and causing her to lose her hold on her weapon. That was all the opening he need.

Sasuke darted away, knowing he needed a straight line and a clear view of Gaara to pull this off. Even with his Sharingan this was going to be tricky.

"You move in a straight line. Gaara's heart is still in the same place, just covered by more armour. It'slikelyan earth Jutsu so Chidori shouldcut through it easily enough. Straight line attack right?" Kurama confirmed. "Angle yourself off at eight degrees to the right once you make it to the clearing ten feet in front of you. Move!"

Sasuke did as ordered, not understanding where this was coming from. Kurama was helpful in battle but she didn't do precision like this. So who was helping her? In the end it didn't matter. Sasuke formed the hands signs while he ran, getting into possition. Kurama told him he was good to go, so Sasuke completed the third sign and charged forward. "Chidori!" He roared, and he slammed his hand into Gaara's chest.

The sand creature roared and exploaded outwards, and Sasuke cursed as he was blown back. The armour had been too thick. Even with the planning, even with Kurama's help, he hadn't managed to kill his opponent. He'd failed.

(Nothing Else Seems to Work)

Hinata watched as Naruto silently conversed with Kurama, noting that Naruto's face revealed more and more worry. Sasuke was in trouble.

"Sakura, you're faster at math than Shikimaru right?" Naruto confirmed quickly as they ran. Sakura and Shikimaru exchanged looks before Shikimaru nodded. "Ok. Hold up for a moment. Sakura, sorry but I need to put this on your arm. It's the communication seal we use. Sasuke won't be able to talk with you since you aren't tuned to the seal but he'll be able to send you what he sees and hear your response. He needs to know where to move to hit in a straight line and hit Gaara in the heart."

Sakura processed that pretty quickly, before slapping the seal on her arm. "Got it." She said after a moment. "He needs to move ten feet forward and turn eight degrees to his right. That should give him a clear shot."

Naruto confirmed with Kurama that the information got through, and got a possitive feeling."Good. I'll need that seal back though." Naruto told her, pulling it off and slapping it on his own arm. "Sasuke's going to need help. Unless that's a killing strike Gaara's not going to stay down for long."

"That won't kill. I'm not sure if it'll even wound." Sakura said worriedly. "The thickness of the sand is double what it was back in the arena. If Sasuke's reach isn't extended he won't kill Gaara. Naruto, do you have any explosive notes?"

Naruto raised an eyebrow at her, and Hinata felt herself surprised as well. Why would she ask Naruto for explosive notes? Sakura scowled and quickly explained, "You've invented a communicative seal, you're a mid ranged fighter and you're an excitable boy with a perchance for watching things go boom. If you can make seals, the first thing you'll make are explosive notes. Now I need some. I'm a genjutsu fighter, and I can't take on a jinchiriki without something packing a bit more punch."

Hinata glanced at Shikimaru, who'd watched the exchange. "I'm out of this. I can't take on Gaara at all. I'll hold up his siblings and get people out of harm's way but that's the limit of what I can do. Sakura's illusions will let her set traps quickly, and let her attack Gaara without being noticed. Explosive notes will dissipate the sand if nothing else."

Naruto tossed her a small pack off his belt, and Sakura's eyes widened. "Great. These'll help." Sakura pulled out a set of shuriken, wire and the explosive notes. "Sasuke's been teaching me." Sakura told them with a grin. "Let's go give him a hand."

That Hinata could agree with. Naruto informed them as they approached the battle site, "Gaara's being backed up by Temari. Kankerou is nowhere near. We'll need to split up to deal with Temari. I'd recomend having myself and Sakura help Sasuke while Hinata and Shikimaru incapacitate Temari. That'll leave Shikimaru free to back up Shino and get us more back-up while Hinata helps Sakura and me take down Gaara."

"Th-that would work." Hinata agreed. "Shikimaru?"

"Sound enough strategy. Hinata, use your Byakugan to pinpoint Temari. You and I will split off and take her down while Naruto and Sakura engage Gaara." Shikimaru told her, pulling out a kunai.

Hianta nodded and focussed her chakra to her eyes, watching as her vision expanded and shifted. She didn't have a huge range but... "They are side by side." Hinata warned.

"Even better. She won't be looking for my shadow. This will have to be an ambush." Shikimaru told them. "We have surprise and numbers on our side but Temari's a powerful opponent and Gaara's an enraged jinchuriki. We'll need to time this perfect. Hinata, you can knock Temari out right? She's worth more alive. I don't know if Gaara has any feelings for his family but Kankerou does and he'll surrender to keep his sister safe if it comes down to it."

"I most likely can. She'll need to be still though." Hinata warned.

Shikimaru nodded and followed Pakuun, who'd chosen to stay silent during their exchange. In fact, the only thing the ninkken said was, "I'll be getting out of the way. I'm no good in a fight. You four have it well in hand. If you need me to relay a message though, I'll be happy to send it back to Kakashi."

"Thanks Pakuun." Sakura told him. "Ok, let's do this."

(Nothing Else Seems to Work)

Sasuke ducked behind another tree, just desperately running now. He was exhausted, his chakra depleted and he was now wounded. Garra had hit him with Sand Shurinken, a rather frightening applicaiton of his sand. There was nothing like being chased by cutting globs of sand. As it was, Sasuke's bleeding was giving him away. It was getting harder to hide, especially since Gaara was being helepd by Temari.

Kurama was silent, but that was because she was guiding his back-up to his possition. Hinata and Naruto were on their way. Probably someone with them for support. He just had to keep hidden.

"Come out!" Gaara roared, his voice rough enough that Sasuke felt his vibrate in his chest.

"If you just keep hiding in the trees, I'll just knock them all down!" The mad jinchiriki promised. Sand surged forward, a grating whisper across the trees and before Sasuke could move the tree he was hiding behind crashed down on him.

Sasuke tried to move out of the way, runnigng forward and jumping clear but Temari caught him in a wind burst, slamming him out of range of the sand but knocking him hard enough that he wans't getting up anytime soon. Coughing and struggling to sit upright, Sasuke stared at his enproaching doom as Gaara's sand form approached him.

"Time for you to dissapear!" He roared. "Mother will feast on your blood!"

Sasuke couldn't stand up, couldn't move. His chakra was drained and his limbs wouldn't respond. He was done. Gaara's sand surged forward, firing off another blast of sand shurinkens. Sasuke swallowed and closed his eyes.

And Gaara let out a cry of surprise when a familiar voice roared, "Wind Style: Grinding Dust Storm!"

Sasuke looked up as Naruto shot forward and a cone of air sucked up the sand Gaara was firing, absorbing the sand and converting his tornado into a massive sand cloud. The air spun viciously and the sand turned into into a massive grinder, polishing the trees it touched until the bark was smoothed completely off. It tore into Gaara's sand shield, ripping and buffing off layers of it while Temari cried out in pain, her skin being buffetted until she had large patches bleeding.

Temari tried to counter with her fan but she froze, and Shikimaru's voice cried out, "I've got her. Shadow Possesion complete. It's not safe here, so I'll get her out of here."

Naruto waved in acknowledgement and stood in front of Sasuke, his sword in hand. "Wow. If that's what your mother looks like Gaara, be glad you take after your dad."

"You. Mother screams for your blood loudest." Gaara hissed. "You are strong. You are like me."

"No. I'm not." Naruto said quietly. "Because I'm giving you this chance Gaara. Stop this. Come back. Be human, surrender or you will dissapear. That's a promise."

Gaara shrieked at that, and sand spilled out of his body in a huge wave, roaring up towards Sasuke and Naruto. Naruto's chakra poured into his sword and he slammed it into the tree, blocking the sand's advancement from hitting him or Sasuke. "Now!" Naruto yelled.

Sakura suddenly materialised above Gaara, a shurrinken between each knuckle, where she lept over him and threw all six shrinken. The shruineken cirled over Gaara, the wires behind them trailing and explosive notes sliding down the wire almost as fast as the shurrinken flew. In a matter of seconds, Gaara was completely wrapped in wire and plastered with explosive notes. Sakura landed and then lept behind a tree as the notes exploded.

Sand doesn't blow up well, Sasuke noted. And really, it shouldn't. It was a dense material that when struck dispersed the blow pretty evenly. It was like setting off a bomb in water; you got a spurt from the rapidly heated liquid and the kinetic energy but you weren't going to easily destroy the whole lake with a single explosion. Gaara's sand armour was fused in most places into a solid glass layer and in interesting shapes, with his tail gone and one paw blown off. But it looked like Gaara's shell now had some spines to add to it, although the armour was breaking those down and returning them to sand. Seriously, how much chakra did he have?

Naruot pulled his sword out of the branch and threw Sakura a scroll. "Field first aid kit. We need Sasuke back on his feet. I'll keep Gaara busy." He glanced back at Sasuke and grinned. "Up for round two?"

"Give me a moment idiot. Some of us aren't walking chakra factories." Sasuke griped but returned the grin. "You have your fun; I'll catch up in a moment. Knock him dead."

"With pleasure." Naruto charged.

(Nothing Else Seems to Work)

Hiruzen smashed his staff into Orochimaru, knocking the Senin back. "Hahaha." Was all he got in response, as Orochimaru looked back at him with a smirk. "Is that the best you can do sensei?"

Then Iruka took that as his cue, slapping down an explosive note and pulling Hiruzen back. The note let off a massive explosion, too large for even Orochimaru to dodge in time. The fire and shrappnel earned them a scream from the man, while Hiruzen stared. "What on earth was that?" He asked, staring at the solid crater in the ground. The Hokage booth was reinforced to survive explosive tags and minimize their damage. That crater was impossible with a normal exploding tag.

"One of Naruto's custom tags. He made me a set as a present. The kid's got a gift for blowing things up." Iruka told him, his breathing ragged. "Are you injured?"

"No. Conserve your chakra." The Third warned him. "This will be a long fight."

"No. I know how to beat him." Iruka said quietly. "Sensei isn't a medic-nin. He relies on Kabuto for that, and while he's good the body can only be pushed so far."

"So?" Hiruzen asked, forming hand seals as the smoke cleared.

"I can undo his healing factor, and anything else he's modified his body to do. It's not natural. But it's also draining his chakra, so it works in our favor right now. When you want me to, I can shut it down." Iruka promised. He pulled out a small bottle of chakra pills and popped two in his mouth.

Hiruzen could see the bottle was growing empty, both of the men having used multiple pills to keep their own chakra up. But the pills were only a temporary solution, and the longer the fight the higher the risk of dying of chakra exhaustion. They had to be smart about this if they were getting out alive.

Orochimaru suddenly charged the men, ending any further planning as Hiruzen watched his old student draw a sword from his throat. The Third bit back a cry of shock and blocked the strike with his staff, Enma warning, "Hiruzen, that blade is poisoned. It hurts to touch."

He cursed under his breathe as he realised what that meant, especially since Enma was in staff form. If that blade cut him, or Iruka, it was likely they would die regardless of the fight's outcome. The blade would not have a poison with a cure. Iruka seemed to already know though, as he pulled a kunai for his spare hand.

Hiruzen was worried about the fight now. If he was to die, as long as it led to Orochimaru's death then the village would be safer. But Iruka was a chunin under his command, one of the villagers he swore to protect. Iruka would not care if he died in this fight but Hiruzen would. Enough blood had been spilled in in the fight against Orochimaru as it was. It was going to take everything Hiruzen had to not lose Iruka in this fight. There was no room for mistakes.

Hiruzen kicked Orochimaru away and Iruka charged forward, swinging his kunai and tanto in unison to push Orochimaru back. The Senin smirked as Iruka fought, assured of his victory against his former student but Hiruzen could see the marks on Orochimaru's body before they healed. Iruka was more skilled than Orochimaru knew. The Third completed a handful of seals and Iruka substituted out of the way as a volley of shurinken multiplied and flew at Orochimaru.

The Senin deflected the first handful but the others caught him on the arms and legs, and one in the chest. Hiruzen used this distraction to charge forward and battered Orochimaru with Enma, knocking that blasted sword out of the man's hands. Another bash led to Orochimaru flying through the air and landing beside the barrier, bruised and battered and unable to get up. "You're finished." The Third said quietly.

"Am I Sensei?" Came the soft, mocking reply. "You won't let me go again?"

"That was my greatest failure." Hiruzen admitted. "How far you've fallen dear one."

"Dear? Dear?" Orochimaru laughed. "You act like you still care about us, about anything!"

"I did." Hiruzen told him. "I cared so much. You three were my children, you even more than the other two. And I loved you as children. I don't understand why you did this Ori."

Orochimaru stiffened at the name, before laughing softly. "Oh Sensei you never understood." He told him. "I never cared about my friends. I cared about being the strongest. The best. I have done so much since fleeing this little village."

"At what cost?" Came the soft retort. "Haven't you lost yourself along the way? You were always pragmatic but never cruel. Never rutheless. When did that change?"

Orochimaru had no answer to that. Hiruzen sighed. "It doesn't matter I suppose. Just a foolish old man's whimsy. I truly thought I could save you. Instead I'll make sure to finish what I started."

"No you won't." Orochimaru told him. "I won't be defeated so easily."

Hiruzen was about to comment when he saw Orochimaru's fingers twitch. And then Iruka yelled, "Hokage-sama! The sword! He doesn't need to touch it!"

Too late Hiruzen heard the soft whisle as the blade flew towards him. Even as he spun around he heard Orochimaru rise to his feet and move to strike. Iruka was moving, his hands forming signs but he wouldn't be fast enough, not with an attack like this on two fronts. Hiruzen tried to move, racked his brain for any solution in the last microseconds he had to react. He did move, he did try but the sound of steel piercing flesh roared in his ears as he felt a sharp pain in his chest. And in the background, Orochimaru just cackled.

(Nothing Else Seems to Work)

Naruto scowled as he ducked under another barage of sand and swung his blade through Gaara's sand arm. "This isn't working very well." Naruto muttered. Gaara moved to connect with Naruto via a wave of sand but Naruto jumped over it and twisted away, not allowing the sand to surround him. "Kurama? Got a plan B?"

"Not yet, working on it." Kurama told him. "Duck!"

Naruto dropped flat and a random sand arm suddenly shot out of Gaara and slammed into the tree behind Naruto, crushing much of the bark. "Ok." Naruto thought, swallowing. "Mental note. Don't get hit by that. You don't happen to know a random Lightning jutsu by chance?"

"Not in my arsenal. Don't use my chakra right now, I don't know what will happen with Shukaku so close by." Kurama warned. "We don't want to hurt anyone."

"Kurama, I don't know that we're winning this without your chakra." Naruto told her. "I mean, look at that thing. And it's probably not his strongest state. He's blowing through more chakra than we ever do."

"Naruto, please! You can't use my chakra. It will be a very bad end result." Kurama insisted.

Any other planning was thrown out the window as Gaara roared and let out a huge wave of sand. Sakura gave a sharp cry as she was knocked off her feet, and Sasuke was slammed back too. Naruto snarled as he drew on his chakra, roaring out, "Water Style: Water Bullet!"

The massive sphere of compressed water blasted into Gaara, knocking the sand giant off his feet and slowing his movements for a moment. Naruto took that moment to check on his teammates, not seeing Sakura anywhere and noticing Sasuke limping a bit with his right leg as he got up. Crap, not a good sign.

"Sasuke is fine, just a sprain. He also said Sakura's hiding so she has time to recover." Kurama told him. "Keep pushing the advantage. If you get him soaked maybe a Lightning jutsu can stun him long enough to take him down."

"Just stab through the heart right?" Naruto asked sadly. "Do we have to kill him?"

Kurama was quiet for a long moment, before replying unconvincingly, "Maybe not. Maybe he'll see reason. But it must be an immediate plan B Naruto or he'll kill your friends."

"I know." Naruto admitted. "Doesn't make it any easier."

"Mourn loss later, stay alive now." Kurama reminded him as he dove under more of Gaara's attacks. "We need something to take him down fast and- What is she doing here?"

Naruto's eyes snapped away from Gaara as he saw Hinata chasing after Temari through the forest, leading them right back into the line of fire. "Hinata!" He cried out, taking his full attention away from Gaara, who slammed him back with sand arm. Naruto crashed into at least one tree, smashing his head into the bark. For a moment his vision was filled with spots but he was more worried about Hinata.

Temari had Hinata dodging both her wind attacks and Gaara's sand, as Gaara had suddenly taken interest in the Hyuga girl. Maybe he was defending his sister but Naruto thought she was just a moving target that caught his eyes. Gaara was relentless though, charging forward to smash into Hinata while Temeari made hiding increasingly difficult. They were hunting Hinata down.

Naruto tried to stand up but his body resisted, and pain spiked through him when he tried to move. Damn. Borken bones. Lots of broken bones. Kurama would help him heal quickly but just his normal chakra supply would take him hours to heal. Kurama seemed to follow his train of thought and warned, "Naruto, no! Please don't-"

"I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry." Naruto told her. "But it's this or Hinata dies."

Kurama fell silent, and Naruto swallowed and called up her chakra. It surged through him, and he felt his bones rapidly knit. It hurt, much worses than any other time but this time the chakra was also different. It wasn't orange as it came out of him. There was a sudden snarl in Naruto's mind before the world went black.

(Nothing Else Seems to Work)

Sasuke watched as Naruto became surrounded in the familiar chakra cloak flowing across Naruto's skin and he realised that Naruto was calling on Kurama for help. Great. How bad was it if he was getting her involved?

Looking back at Gaara though, Sasuke had to agree that having a heavy hitter like her in their court would help, espeically if they were fighting another demon. But something was off about Naruto's chakra cloak. It wasn't orange.

A black cloaked Naruto charged forward, batting Temari away like a rag doll. The Sand girl hit a tree with a sickening crunch, indenting into the bark and laying still. Sasuke hoped in the back of his head that she wasn't dead but he had other concerns. Hianta was rapidly retreating away as Naruto turned to face Gaara, who gave a look of pure hatred.

"You. Of course it would be you!" Came the gutteral snarl. "Mother hates you most of all."

Naruto didn't reply, only grinned ferally. And the two jinchuriki clashed.

Sasuke suddenly understood, to the full extent, Naruto's earlier warning about demons being on a whole different level. Gaara and the chakra cloaked Naruto clashed, sand meeting a powerful corrosive layer of chakra that wore at the ultimate defense like it was nothing. Naruto's taijutsu training showed through as they fought, Gaara's raw power meeting someone who could keep up and exceed once you factored in skill. Naruto didn't fire off projectiles or use a single jutsu. Gaara used his fluidity and jutsu to the best of his ability but Naruto dodged nimbly with speed that Gaara simply couldn't match. And once Gaara could no longer escape, once he realised he was trapped, Naruto went to work.

Naruto didn't beat Gaara down; he played with him. Each strike was brutal and hampering but not enough to end the fight. Each blow was precise, designed to do cause a lot of pain and make him twitch but not kill. There was no fatal blow, no desire to kill. There was only a game, like a cat played with a mouse. It was cruel and sadistic, and so far from Naruto that Sasuke felt his blood run cold. What was going on?

Finally Naruto tired of the game and slammed Gaara away, leaving the other jinchuriki shaking and near dead. But rather than finish the boy off, Naruto turned and looked around the fighting area. And his eyes leveled on Sasuke and he smirked.

Sasuke felt breath catch in his throat as his heart started hammering. And before he could react, so fast as his eyes could barely detect him, Naruto charged him. Sasuke had no time to react, no time to do anything but pray as a set of black claws went for his head.

"Not my kit you son of a bith!"

Power coursed through the seal on his chest, and orage chakra gushed out in a shield that intercepted Naruto's strike. The blow skated harmlessly across the chakra shield, and the orange spilled over, beating back the black. For a moment Naruto stood frozen as the two chakras colided, poised to strike. And then he started screaming.

Sasuke stared helplessly as Naruto's chakra was at war with itself, the new black against Kurama's orange, and their collateral was Naruto's body. His friend shook with agony, exceeding even Naruto's pain tollerance as slowly the cloak faded away, until Naruto collapsed unconscious.

"Kurama? What was that?" Sasuke asked in his head, and panicked when he couldn't hear the response. "Kurama?" He demanded outloud. Sakura's attention was caught then, and her eyes were alight with questions.

Hinata suddenly dove from her hiding place, kneeling down by Naruto and checking him over. Sasuke felt his priorities shift as he came forward as well, as did Sakura. The three of them desparetly looked Naruto over, and Hinata told them after a long look with her Byakugan, "He's all right."

Two heads snapped towards her, and Hinata explained, "He's unconscious but he'll live. The other chakra isn't in him at all right now."

"What was that?" Sakura demanded. Sasuke was privately wondering the same thing but only Naruto could reveal Kuaram to her.

"Story for another time." Sasuke told her standing up. "We need to make sure Gaara's..."

Sasuke looked up, swallowed and stepped forward swiftly, telling them, "Sakura, Hinata take Naruto and run."

Both girls looked at where Gaara was struggling to stand up, Sasuke between them and the jinchuriki. "I-I won't..." Gaara's distorted voice grated out. "I won't dissapear!"

The final word was a gutteral roar before Gaara emerged from his sand form, with his fingers forming seals. "False Sleep Jutsu." He growled. And with that Gaara's eyes closed and the sand burst out of him, forming into a massive being of sand. He now towered over the trees, and pushed dozens over just by his inital growth. The three conscious genin had to crane their necks to watch Gaara grow, and Sasuke felt his dread keeping pace with Gaara's head.

When the Taniki reached its full height, it suddenly cried out in a high pitch, excited voice, "I'm free! It's been so long since he let me out and now I'm free. Oh I get to slughter a country and kill the Kyubi's host and I've even got some gnats to squish right now! Oh happy day."

Sasuke swallowed. "That's not Gaara. That's the demon. Shukaku. Run!"

"Where?" Sakura demanded, only for the demon to suddenly take notice of their possition and launch forward, its massive hand rushing down towards them.

Sakura threw a handful of explosive notes in surprise but the hand never wavered, while Hinata bent down to try and pick Naruto up but he was at least half again her weight now. He'd grown to just a hair taller than her and all his taijutsu, plus his weights left him too heavy for her to move and dodge easily. Sasuke stared up at the hand, completely drained and running out of options. His chakra was low enoguh just activating his Sharingan was difficult, and his Lightnign Ball jutsu wouldn't help here. He needed Chidori. But he was at his limit.

The sand arm was coming for them, and Sasue felt it. They were going to die. If he didn't act, if he didn't pull of the impossible, Sakura, Hinata and Naruto were going to die here right beside him. Three out of his five persons in the village, the people he truly cared for. Sasuke looked up at the arm and made his choice. "Orochimaru won't control me." He promised himself as he freed the seal. The curse mark spread across his skin and Sasuke felt power coursing back through his weary limbs. It wouldn't last long, and it would wave a cost but right now, Sasuke had what he needed. And as the sand arm was about to crush the group, Sasuke rapidly went through his handsigns and roared out, "Chidori!"

Electricity covered his arm, the Lightning Jutsu pulsing out larger than Sasuke had ever managed. It wasn't just a coating on his arm; it was a shield in front of him. The sand it struck lost cohesion and passed over harmlessly, the heavy weight of the sand building up but there was nothing Sasuke could do about that. He pushed forward, destroying the sand arm that wanted to crush his friends and felt the curse seal try to push him, try and manipulate him into fighting more, into abandoning them to kill Gaara and be rid of his enemy. But he couldn't. If he left now, his friends died. And nothing the seal did could make him do that.

Finally enough of the arm was destroyed that Shukaku couldn't crush them, and the arm fell harmlessly back to the demon's side. Knee deep in sand, Sasuke glanced back to make sure that his friends were all right, starting to step out of the sand. Only to find himself stuck.

Above him, Shukaku laughed. "Did you think it would be that simple?" It asked. "That a little lightning could make my sand stop obeying?"

Sasuke tried to push out of the sand, even as his chakra started to fade from his limbs and the curse mark receeded. Sakura was at his side, trying to free him from the sand but there was nothing either of them could do. Sakura wasn't strong enough and Sasuke was exhausted. Shukaku just laughed and wrapped the sand around both their torsos, before pinning them to the trees and slowly crushing them akin to a python. "That was funny. I think I'll save you two for later, so I won't kill you but I can't want you running away now. So, nighty night!"

(Nothing Else Seems to Work)

Naruto slowly awoke, his body screaming in pain but his cheek hurt the worst. Hinata was standing above him, looking very troubled and had her hand raised so Naruto assumed she'd slapped him. Hinata was also visibly shaking though, urging Naruto to gather his stray thoughts. "What happened?" Naruto asked her.

"N-n-n-not a lot of t-time. Gaara's doing something, I don't know what." Hinata gestured behind her. "I c-c-can't fight him like this. I'm g-g-going to try and fr-free Sasuke and Sakura and th-then we'll try and help. B-but I need time."

Naruto nodded and stood up, his body aching and a bit tingly. And, much to his surprise and horror, Kurama was completely gone from his head and the seal on his chest was burnt off. Something had gone wrong. Naruto cursed quietly under his breath. She'd warned him, and he hadn't listened. He looked up at Gaara and grimaced. "Kurama warned me he could do this. Let Shukaku out." Naruto clarified. "I'll keep him busy. You get Sakura and Sasuke out of here."

"Wh-what will you do? We c-c-can't fight that!" Hinata gestured.

Naruto shook his head. "I don't know." He admitted. "But he'll have a much harder time killing me while I've got Kurama in me than he will any of you. Go. I'll take care of this."

"I c-can," Hinata started but Naruto shook his head.

"Go." He ordered.

Hinata looked hurt, and worried but Naruto gestured for her to go. He didn't even think about drawing his sword; it was lost, somewhere in the forest until it dissapated back into his scroll and steel wasn't working against this sand anyway. Naruto instead focussed, and brought his fingers together in a familiar sign. "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"

A sea of Narutos came forward, enough to distract Shukaku while Hinata got the other two to safety. She'd have two clones to carry Sasuke and Sakura if need be but otherwise, all his bunshin were going to attack Shukaku.

"Oh, that was almost clever Fox!' Shukaku cackled. "A fine attempt, especially since it seems you're as pathetic as your host." With that, a wave of sand whipped out and destroyed every clone with a single movement. "But I know when I'm being played."

With that Shukaku roared and an arm smashed down beside Sasuke and Sakura, Hinata barely getting out in time. Naruto lept down, trying to get near enough to help but Shukaku's tail slamemd into him, knocking him flying. "Kurama!" He thought desperately. "I could use a hand here."

"I'm sorry Naruto. I've got my hands full. You're on your own." She told him, barely having time to say that before she vanished from his mind. Naruto grimace, landing heavily and racing back towards Shukaku.

"Damn it Kurama, what's going on?" Naruto thought. "I can't beat him like this. I'm too small. I can't hit it hard enough."

Naruto's brain finally clicked into gear. Yes, he was too small. He couldn't hit hard enough. But he didn't need to. He could summon the toads. One of them could. Gambunta could.

Naruto bit his thumb without hesitation, closed his eyes and focussed. He couldn't use Kurama's chakra; she'd pulled back into the seal, and even if she hadn't last time he'd blacked out. Nothing but his own reserves. He had to do this.

His hands went through the hand signs, and faces flashed across his eyes. Iruka. Konohomaru. Hiruzen. Kakashi. Teuchi. Ayame. Sasuke. Hinata. He loved his village but it was huge, abstract. These people though, they were everything. He wasn't alone anymore, because of them.

And Shukaku would take that all away.

Power coursed through Naruto, as he brought all his chakra to bear. Over his dead body. "Summoning Jutsu!" He roared, and slammed his ahnd down on the tree. Smoke erupted from the ground, and the trees slowly dissapeared from sight as Naruto found himself on Gambunta's head.

'Bunta looked around for a moment, his pipe letting out clouds of smoke as he surveyed the area. "Well now boy. I didn't expect you to summon me for this."

"I need your help." Naruto told him. "I have no access to Kurama anymore, my friends are below and Konoha's being invaded. Shukaku over there is their trump card. If he gets away, he'll destroy the village, and everyone I care about. But I'm not strong enough to fight him. Please lend me your strength."

Gambunta looked Shukaku over, slowly blowing out a breathe of smoke. "You ask a lot, especially for one not accepted yet." He finally replied.

"I know. And I'm sorry. I had no other choice but to ask." Naruto told him pleadingly. "I meant no disrespect. I would not have asked this of you unless there was no other choice."

"There is always a choice. Sometimes, all your options are bad but you still have to choose." 'Bunta rumbled. "I will help you boy. It will be a mark of pride for our clan when a Toad beats a Demon."

"Oooh, a giant frog. I wonder how you'll taste." Shukak cackled and smirked. Gambunta narrowed his eyes at the insult, and the battle began.