Hey all. A quick AN before we start off with the next chapter, I want to apologize for the nearly year-long wait for this chapter. I had some pretty major life changes hit me hard, and I found myself hard pressed for time and even harder for creative inspiration. But now, I'm back. And I hope to start updating this story again in earnest. Hopefully I won't be too rusty. So without further ado, let the chapter begin!

"So you want us to be paranoid." Naruto stated in such a matter of fact way he might as well have insisted it. He and Gaara stood in front of Obito, who sat atop of a crooked rock jutting out of a grassy landscape, both bearing their own forms of confusion. "Always looking over our shoulders, keeping people at arm's length, that sort of thing?"

"No, not quite." Obito replied with a muffled chuckle. "I'm merely telling you to be cautious."

"But isn't that the same thing?" Gaara spoke then, scowling faintly at their master. "We cannot simply be cautious and yet not be plagued by paranoia at the same time. That's impossible." Their teacher chuckled again, briefly glancing over at the distant trees lining the horizon before returning his empty gaze back towards them.

"Wrong again." He stated, shortly yet lacking any impatience.

"What, then?" The redhead asked, their confusion only rising. They'd long gotten used to Obito's cryptic, drawn-out way of explaining things. It was like he enjoyed keeping them guessing.

The air brisked over their ears, like a whisper, wordlessly gracing them. "It's not enough to simply expect betrayal at every turn. And it's impossible to think you can retain cautiousness without losing what few allies you'll get." He explained, "But where you can't see someone else's intent, you can see your own. Do not expect betrayal, plan it. And after you've planned how you would betray yourself, always keep in mind that that same method is one your enemy could very well hit you from." Finally, they understood. "Once you've decided the best way to stab yourself in the back, you will be invincible to any form of betrayal."

Chapter VI

The Claws

There wasn't much wind, or any for that matter. But the still air chilled to the bone as if it were a harsh, ferocious gale. In a world where the greatest of warriors were ones who favored stealth over the Samurai's way, the silence was damning. If a Shinobi were to pick between a quiet setting to sneak upon their foe, or one where there were all kinds of noise, they would most often choose the latter. It was far too easy to be heard themselves when there was so little sound from other sources. But as for Naruto, and Gaara, and Tayuya, and Kimimaro and all the rest, they were just as much at home in that otherwise deathly quiet as they were in the big cities.

Trees remained motionless and dead above them, bushes waited to crunch and groan at their passing - but none ever made a sound. These, however, were not normal trees. The Land of Frost was true to its name; as they went further and further inland, a thick layer of white frost had begun to engulf anything and everything that remained stagnant for longer than a few minutes. This was not snow, as a billowing, soft substance their feet sank in, but rather it was a very thin, yet stubbornly fastened layer of frozen moisture.

If that was any indication of the rapidly dropping temperatures, then surely the fact that the leaves were simply frozen was. But they were undaunted, and continued on inwards towards the very heart of the Land of Snow. That was where Orochimaru's base was. And that was also where the bandits who threatened Orochimaru's operations had pitched their camp.

Kimimaro led them forward, remaining in the front of the group for the entirety of their trip inland. He brought them to a ledge, a suddenly dropping slope that fell down to the level below at a very slanted angle. They were hidden atop this perch by a row of frozen shrubs. In case there was any question as to why the forestry was forced solid but the ninja remained thawed, the Chakra within them held the natural frost at bay. That, and on closer inspection, the frozen plant life was not encapsulated in ice - but rather, under layers and layers of frost that had, after years of build up, had fused together into a solid screen that refused to be stripped away.

Their leader halted at that slope and went no further, pointing down inbetween the trees towards a cave etched into the side of the mountain. There was white wood built around the entrance, like the frame to a door, only lacking the typically accompanied hatch. "That is the entrance to our base here." Kimimaro told them quietly. In the grand scheme of things, Orochimaru had built his base into a valley amidst the rising hills; thus the forest they now found themselves in, surrounded by mountain ranges that rose higher on one side and lower on the other.

"It has been exactly six days since we received word of the encroaching rabble." He continued, "This base was left largely undefended on account of its minimal impact on the surroundings. It was mainly a messenger post. However, we can assume that, within that time, the bandits have already taken it over." Kimimaro turned towards Naruto and Gaara. "We scouted the area briefly while awaiting your arrival. On several occasions we have seen small groups of bandits investigating the surrounding area, although we did not have the time to follow them."

"So?" Naruto asked with a smirk, his blue eyes hidden by his grey hood. "Unless you know where they came from, there's no real point in paying attention to them."

Kimimaro scowled, and the others eyed the two newcomers. Tayuya, for her part, glared at the blond, and urged him silently, 'Shut your pie hole blondie! You'll get us all killed if Kimimaro gets pissed!'

"Apologies." Gaara interrupted in his calm, raspy tone, also hidden under his own hood. His gourd was securely wrapped under his cloak. "What Naruto means is that, without having tracked them to their base, we can't know their paths and movements. We'll need to find a new group first." Naruto shoved a thumb in his redheaded friend's direction, emphasizing his agreement. Kimimaro's scowl lessened and he acknowledged Gaara's input with a nod, but still shot a warning glare towards an unphased, smiling Naruto.

"Noted. Jirobo?" He turned towards the largest of the group, who stepped forward.

"Got it." He answered, taking a single, deep breath and closing his eyes, and then shoving his large hands to the ground. Naruto blinked once, and raised an eyebrow curiously, his smile dropping slightly in mild surprise. Gaara merely remained indifferent. They both realized the implication, and were somewhat amused at the irony that the physically strongest of the group was also a sensor-type. It was unusual, to be sure. "...There's a group of them to the southeast. Four. Wouldn't even make for an appetizer."

"Appetizer? I didn't know we were set for dinner." Naruto quipped, earning a harsh scowl from Jirobo that was ignored nearly as expertly as a pebble.

"They're coming towards us. Should be here in a few minutes." He continued. Kimimaro shot a harsh gaze over the horizon, through the frozen bushes and trees towards something unseen - Naruto couldn't see it, at least, and doubtless none of the rest could too. He looked towards the darkened edge of their view, where the shadows of the trees reflecting sunlight faded to nothing as if it were a solid canopy of rock. In truth, he didn't see anything either. But that was where they would be coming from - that, all of them knew.

Then, he said a single word. "Scatter." The Sound-nin took off immediately, they expected the command. But Naruto remained for several seconds, blinking in confusion and staring off at the directions the others had gone.

"What's that supposed to me-"

And then he was carried off by Gaara. The redheaded shinobi had caught on much faster than Naruto, and had realized the obvious. "He wants us to spread out and take position for an ambush. Or..." He looked back down from the trees, at Kimimaro, who still remained where he originally stood. "...he wants us to stay back while he eliminates the bandits."

"I knew that!" Naruto complained, thumping Gaara on the shoulder to get him to let go. "I don't get why he won't let us join in on the fun..."

"Jirobo said they were weak. We can't make too much noise without alerting the people in the base. Kimimaro can defeat a small group easily." Gaara explained to the irritated, impatient blond. Naruto saw the point, and huffed his discontent while collapsing on the sturdy (and very cold) tree branch. He would go no further away from the scene, and Gaara wasn't inclined to force him. So they waited, Naruto seated and Gaara standing beside him, while the rest remained hidden, and Kimimaro remained out in the open. It would only be a matter of time...

And it was. Within minutes there were noises, through the deafening silence that had permeated through the forest prior. Footsteps, shuffling feet, grunting and heavy breaths. They wore thick, woolen jackets and pants, and their boots and gloves were filled with a warm white fabric. At their sides or strapped to their backs were weapons, three had swords and one had a large that'd easily require two hands to wield. They stopped as soon as they saw Kimimaro waiting for them. "Who the 'ell're you?" One asked, or rather, demanded.

He was never answered. In an instant Kimimaro was upon them, digging his palms into two of their faces who just so happened to be standing near each other. They were smashed to the ground. The third made to draw his sword, but the tip never left the sheath before his skull met the hard end of a tree. Then came the largest of the four, the one with the ax. He swung it across Kimimaro's chest like he was a tree made to fall. And he was very surprised, shocked, and petrified when it didn't even pierce his arm. "What the hell?"

"That's not enough." Kimimaro explained, fixing him with a steady gaze. It was over in a matter of seconds. All four knocked out, but not killed. "We'll use them to navigate the facility and root out any and all positions the gang has settled in to." He explained as Kidomaru tied them up in his sticky web.

"How will we know if they're telling the truth?" Sakon questioned with a hint of uneasiness in his voice. "They might lie, and lure us into a trap."

"C'mon! What're the chances of that, anyways?" Kidomaru countered, grinning. "Besides, these chumps couldn't hold a candle to us. Kimimaro's strong and all, but you saw how quick these losers went down. It'll be nothing, piece of cake!" Their leader scowled at the two, silencing them and ending any further comment before it could ever leave their lips. He had a better idea.

"Tayuya will make them tell the truth." He said, not giving the girl a choice in the matter - 'like always', she thought. "With her genjutsu, it will be a simple matter." She nodded, not daring to voice her displeasure. And he spoke the truth, it was more than easy for her to manipulate them into thinking they were their allies. All it would take would be a little change in scenery, appropriate shadows, altered appearances - she could go on, and on. "You know what to do."

"Yeah." She replied, bringing the silver instrument to her lips. The tune she played was truly nightmarish; not in the sense that it sounded awful, yet the chill was surreal. All four of the bandits fell under her spell immediately, whatever illusion their mind conjured up, in every event, the Sound Five, and Naruto, and Gaara, were their allies. But Tayuya wasn't finished. A glance from Sakon told her everything she needed to know - the plan, though not her idea, was still going to happen. So, before she finished casting her genjutsu on the four bandits, she added in the unsuspecting Naruto and Gaara. Now, it would just be a matter of luring them into the base. Sakon seemed pleased.

Not that Tayuya cared. She hated the man, more than any of the others on their team. Jirobo scolded her often for her mouth, but that was nothing more than annoying. Kidomaru was a cocky bastard who she'd love to smash a foot into, but that was all. Kimimaro was flat out terrifying, which was to be expected. But Sakon - he had single-handedly made himself out to be the most disgusting freak this side of Orochimaru. And that was saying something.

"Thanks for rescuing us." One of the thugs said as soon as Tayuya's flute had left her lips. "We would've been dead if you hadn't shown up." Tayuya couldn't help the grin that stretched over her lips. It had worked flawlessly!

"Yeah! Now untie us so we can get back to base and tell the boss what hit us!" Another joined in. Soon enough, after a motion from Kimimaro, the rope was cut with a kunai and the bandits were helped to their feet. "I see why he hired you kids. You really put those freaks down good."

And then Tayuya nearly burst a gasket. 'I'll show you 'kids' you freaken' jackasses! As soon as Kimimaro gives the signal I am wooping your asses like you wouldn't BELIEVE!'

They were led into the base shortly, grabbing pre-lit torches from the wall to illuminate the hallways, and the spread of area that had remained unlit. The bandits weren't entirely as stupid as they had thought, and had decided to only let a few of the lamps remain on to preserve what little amount of fuel they had. Orochimaru had never been interested in storing up anything flammable. If his pale complexion wasn't a big enough clue, the man didn't go out in the sun very often. So they walked down the blackened path, ignoring the few turn-offs that led down other halls, rekindling their flame at the few lit torches that hung on the walls. Even with that light, however, for the spaces in between light, there was naught but darkness. Should their own light go out, they could scarce see their own hands held in front of them.

"It's not as big as the other one..." Naruto idly muttered from the back, "I might actually be able to not get lost in this one."

"Other one?" One of the thugs asked, checking over his shoulder. "What'dya mean?"

"The boss had us take out another facility before we came here." Tayuya quickly answered, holding a steady gaze until the other turned away, and then shooting a murderous glare at the blond. "Keep your big mouth shut dumbass! You'll ruin everything!"

"Oh. Woopsies." He offered with a nonchalant shrug, as he glanced down an unspecific hall jutting away from the main one. Tayuya could have floored him then and there, but she waited. There would be time enough for that later.

"Almost there." Tayuya squinted, wanting to peer beyond the shadowy veil between them and where they were headed, but seeing no more than the flickering of their torch's light against the walls. Typical of an Orochimaru built base. Finally though, they came to a larger room, that was both wider and taller than the wallway, but still they could only tell by the fact that the torch could no longer light the walls or the ceiling. They could see neither now.

"Someone hit the lights, I can't see squat." Kidomaru groaned.

And then they did just that. The entire room instantly lit up brightly in a white light, from a humongous bulb on the ceiling. It was blinding, so much so that they all had to cover their faces from the intruding beam. So it was that none of them saw the army that now stood in front of them. They were all armed with a vast assortment of weapons, ragtag at best but no less menacing in appearance. How this many had moved into the area without a larger response from the surrounding villages was a mystery.

"Oh. Crap. Can I take that back?"

"I don't think that's an option" Sakon replied to their six-armed comrade. "There's quite a few of them in the way of the switch."

"Wouldn't be able to kick their ugly mugs into the dirt if I couldn't see anyways!" Tayuya commented with a grin, reaching for her flute again. "It'll be easy!"

"No." Kimimaro interrupted. He was fond of doing that. Somehow he always found a better solution than the one they thought of. Granted, most of the time when the fight had already started, their plan was along the lines of curb stomping whoever it was that stood in their way. He eyed the two passages leading out of the square, white-walled chamber, one on the right and the other on the left. "Our objective is their leader. If we defeat him, these men lose their pay. Split into two groups and pursue him." Then he turned towards the four thugs, who were confusedly staring between the two groups - of course, they were still under Tayuya's illusion. They didn't know what was happening any more than an animal.

It was them that fell first, victimized by the pure white sword Kimimaro produced from his forearm. "Go. I will deal with this rabble." In another instant he had leaped into the armada, spinning and twirling among them as his blade met their flesh. It was a bloodbath waiting to happen; they could scarce touch him, and when they did, their weapons bent and warped. He was like a cyclone of death.

"Tayuya, Jirobo, Naruto, you go down the left tunnel. Kidomaru, Gaara and I will take the right one." Sakon ordered, splitting the group effectively in half according to Kimimaro's instruction. Naruto and Gaara offered no argument. They jumped over the scattered gang and were running down their respective tunnels in no time at all.

And then they all were once more emerged in darkness. There were no lanterns here to light their way, no beacons to guide them. But the path was straight and narrow, and did not lead them astray but kept them moving onward, directly down the lane towards wherever it would invariably end. There were no outcroppings where ambush may have laid in wait, and that was reassuring, but the endless darkness before them remained like a strung arrow aimed right towards their necks. Sakon and Kidomaru and Gaara were the first to reach the end.

At the head, Sakon ran in first, as the hall once more separated into a wider room, though one not nearly as large as the first. But he caught something in the corner of his eye, like a flash of light where none should be, and he pressed off his heel and bounded to the left; narrowly avoiding a fatal strike with a sword. Kidomaru was quick to latch onto the blade with a white, icky string of web, and dealt with the wielder with just as much efficiency. Gaara followed them in.

"We need some light!" Kidomaru said as he peered around the dark room.

"Give me a second." said Sakon as he retrieved a kunai from his belt, knotting a thin wire around the handle and slipping a tag through it. This he threw right towards the top, and when it was wedged into the ceiling the tag erupted, turning into a bright white light that continued to thrum and glow. "There!"

"Oh what the hell?!" grumbled the six-armed man, many more thugs and armed men being revealed. "Just how many are there?!" There was no time to react. In seconds the party was upon them, striking at them with blades and fists and clubs. There was no escape. They fell after a minute, unable to fight against the onslaught. Except for Gaara, who was surrounded by a dome of sand that withstood against the blows. But his eyes were closed, arms folded over his chest, as if he barely cared at all.

And then he opened his eyes, and muttered, "Are you finished with your act yet?"

It only took a second to pass, the entire army vanished in the blink of an eye. The room, too, grew smaller and more well lit, the tag on the ceiling disappearing along with all the other details. Now they stood in a square room with locked cages alongside the right wall, the other side being a grey wall. Gaara faced the back of the room, and behind him was a very much unharmed Sakon and Kidomaru. He turned to face them, fixing them with a murderous gaze.

"You can see us?!" Sakon snarled, knife in his hand. Kidomaru stood shocked next to him. They were poised to strike Gaara, but had remained where they stood, not having the chance to move in for the kill before Gaara interrupted them. "But you were under the illusion!"

"Or so you thought." He replied, voice low and frighteningly menacing.

"When did you know?" Kidomaru demanded, taking a step back as he eyed the sand swirling around Gaara's body. "How long have you known?!"

His eyes closed, but the sand only hastened its rapid whirlwind, covering whatever opening they thought to take. "Your mistake was in assuming that we were vulnerable to genjutsu." His eyes opened. "I assure you, Tayuya's skill is as a child's compared to our master. Being unable to use illusions is not the same as being unable to defend against, or detect them."

Sakon grimaced, and tensed from neck to foot. "So you knew Tayuya did it... I take it your blond idiot of a friend figured it out too?"

"It's not that we "figured it out". We were aware of your plot from the beginning."

"What? How?!"

"You thought I was sleeping when you retrieved Tayuya from the room. You were wrong." Gaara explained with a narrowed brow. "I followed you to your meeting. I heard everything."

"And you still let us go through with it despite that?" Kidomaru asked with a grin, fingers twitching as he eyed the tendril-like sand. "You're a confident bastard aren't you?"

"It has nothing to do with confidence. Our orders are absolute - the bandit raid must be dealt with, and Orochimaru's base secured." He scowled at them, and for an instant there was a flicker in the light - and then the open entrance behind Sakon and Kidomaru was slammed closed by Gaara's sand. "Your help was still required. We could not penetrate into the heart of the base without your guidance."

"...You used us." Sakon realized as his eyes went wide. "You used us, and now you'll dispose of us."

"No." Replied the red-headed shinobi. "We do not kill allies. That is our order too. The Sound Five are our superiors for the duration of this mission. I will not kill you." The sand quickened, thickening and lashing out in every direction, twisting towards them like an octopus outstretching its arms. Gaara's pupils flashed a horrible yellow, and a semblance of a smile stretched against his lips. "I will not kill you, but I will beat you and bruise you until you wish I had."

Naruto never did figure out how it had come to this. Last thing he remembered there was an army of severely weak thugs, and next thing he knew he was back flipping out into the middle of a chamber to avoid an explosion of steel mixed with rock. There was no more army, the light was significantly brighter, and the large one - Jirobi? - his fist was in the ground. "That was rude." He uttered with a smile, "The cleaning service is gonna' throw a fit, you know that right?"

"What the hell?! He broke my genjutsu!" Tayuya blurted, forcing Naruto to crack a grin. Tayuya realized her mistake shortly after she made it. "Ah hell."

"Yeah... That didn't go so well." Naruto laughed, hands held on his hips. He stared for a moment, eyeing the two of them as they glared back at him - or, well, Tayuya did the glaring and Jiruba - err, that was his name, right? - had more of a scowl. Naruto smiled again. "So, we were trying to dig for treasure, right?" He shrugged and rubbed the back of his head. "Or something like that."

Tayuya's eyebrows twitched and her teeth ground together, her hand digging for something in her brown pouch. "Not even close!" She retorted as she tossed three kunai directly towards the blond. All three missed their mark as Naruto swayed to the side and allowed himself to fall backwards. The large man continued the assault, appearing on the opposite side of Naruto and thrusting his closed fist down towards Naruto's stomach. But he, too, failed to hit as Naruto slapped his palm on the ground and pulled himself away, imbuing his hand with Chakra for extra suction.

He landed back on his feet gracefully. "I feel like we've been here before..." He muttered with a puffed out cheek, "I can't remember. Were you trying to get a fly off my head?"

"If you'd hold still, I'd make it quick, brat." the large man said in a growl, retrieving his fist from the shattered floor.

"If I did any 'holding still' I'd be worse off than the fly. So, no thank you." Naruto countered with a smile, just before veering away from another powerful strike. As big as he was, he moved very fast. The impression was made that his body had more on it than the obvious fat - somewhere under all that was some very strong muscle. And it could move that hulking frame like a dog chasing a bone. Another fist met the air as Naruto dodged again, feet leaving the ground as his whole body was thrust to one side by the vortex of power left in the wake of the massive fist.

Still, Naruto never let the smile leave his lips. He evaded strike after strike, and still had more than enough flexibility to catch the kunai thrown at him by Tayuya, who kept her distance. Was that all she could do? Throw weapons his way while letting the large man do the work? But then his eye dropped to the flute clutched in her hands. It was shining. Ah, so that was it!

His attention was drawn away from the instrument by another onslaught of attacks. Punch after relentless blow was avoided seamlessly. "Jaroba, you've really gotta' work on your aim." he teased, sidestepping around the outstretched limb and, in a single moment, grabbing onto it and swinging it over head. Initially the much larger man didn't even move, but then Naruto slipped through the gap create by the forward motion and slammed a fist straight between his rib cages. He stumbled back. Naruto's fist glowed a faint blue, Chakra slipping in and out as it augmented the power behind his swing. Then, he turned again to Tayuya - the flute was to her mouth again.

But before a tune could be played, he was right in front of her. Her eyes went wide as he thrust a kunai - one of hers - toward her arm, and she deflected it with the instrument in hand. "No more illusions, hm?" Naruto said with a smile, eyes shining mischievously. She growled, swinging the flute with the intent of bashing his skull open, but he ducked under it and stepped three paces back. And then a fourth, to finish off the distance, and avoid yet another futile attempt at smashing him into the dirt. They stood separated then, Naruto facing off Tayuya and Jirobo. Naruto and Jirobo were ready to spring forward, while Tayuya held her flute at the ready.

And then slow, echoing clapping interrupted them. Their eyes shifted to the far corner, where a single, tall and lanky man leaned against the wall - and very much so, he was taller even than Jirobo. He wore light but fitting black garments, his skin was white but not too pale. The entirety of his face was hidden behind a white mask with a green chin, thin horizontal slits for the eyes, and four short, wavy lines across the forehead; above this was a bushy mane of dark blond hair that seemed almost like a porcupine in girth. But more noticeable than any of that was the long, needle-like sword that leaned silently next to him.

He laughed, and when he did it was long and reverberated through the chamber, and possibly further still. Like a cackling monkey. "Scuffling among ourselves are we?" he mused with humor laced on his tongue.

"Kushimaru Kuriarare." Tayuya said, "And his sword Nuibari. What's one of the Seven Swordsmen doing here?!"

"He's the leader." Naruto interrupted, turning away from the other two and walking several steps towards the Kiri Jonin. "I was wondering when you were gonna' show yourself, Kushimaru. We've been looking everywhere for you."

"Hahaha - You seemed to enjoy running around frantically and fighting each other." Said the masked man with an eerie glee. "Who was I to interrupt?" He slapped his palm across the hilt of his blade, sliding it off the ground and pointing it directly towards them. They tensed, even Naruto though still he held an excited grin, waiting for Kushimaru to begin his assault.

And then it began. He disappeared from the wall, literally vanishing right before their eyes. He reappeared shortly thereafter between Naruto and Jirobo, slamming a powerful heel into the larger man's stomach and sending him reeling, while simultaneously sliding his sword down towards Naruto. The blade and Naruto's kunai met with harsh sparks and noisy clanking; behind the flash Naruto's smile faltered, and his eyes narrowed. The blow was powerful, enough that it pushed Naruto back on his foot, but something else drew Naruto's eyes away from Nuibari, and made them widen.

The Jonin slipped his sword off the kunai and threw it around for a strike at Naruto's side, and this Naruto also blocked, but not without missing Kushimaru flicking his wrist on the other side. Again Naruto was pushed back, this time forcing his feet off the ground. But instead of continue the assault, the powerful shinobi vanished once more, slipping away and front flipping over Jirobo, twirling, and then in the same motion swung Nuibari right towards a startled Tayuya. All the while Naruto was watching, smile entirely removed and replaced with a far more serious expression.

The redheaded kunoichi evaded being sliced in two thanks to the sturdy protection of her flute, which she held against Kushimaru's blade with both hands on either side. He struck again, this time a downward blow; which was also dodged. Then he retreated again. He pulled his fist back, and only then did it become apparent that something was held in his hand. An ultra thin, nigh invisible wire. As it grew taught, more and more it could be seen, and it had spread through the room like a spider's web.

Tighter and tighter it drew, very quickly converging on the three. Jirobo slammed his fists into the ground and forced the wire away with brute force. But Tayuya had little to no time to react. Soon it would pierce her shins and leave her crippled. But not before Naruto intervened. He slipped away from the wires holding him in place, grabbed Tayuya by the side, and leaped free just before the blade-like wire clashed against itself. Blood splattered on the ground, following them where Naruto landed.

"What the hell'd you do that for?!" She snarled as he put her down, and turned to face the swordsman. His lips were tugged into a grin, though this time accompanied by a harsh grimace as the red fluid fell like a river out of his left ankle. Her eyes drifted to the wound. "Are you some kinda' idiot? You didn't need to-"

"I ain't asking for thanks, just quiet down for a minute." Naruto interrupted in a moment of seriousness none of them had seen. It had only been a few seconds. They had sparred for that long, and Naruto had only been on the receiving end of a couple blows, both blocked, but still he knew that Kushimaru was a level beyond all of them combined. He was an experienced shinobi who had seen more than his fare share of battles, just by reputation alone he was a force to be reckoned with. They were outmatched. Focus was needed. "Nuibari. Of all the Seven Swords, yours was always the most secretive. That threading trick of yours nearly got me killed."

Kushimaru laughed again, that same manic bellow. "Impressive perception skills kiddo. You're only the third who's noticed so far, definitely the youngest." He let the wire go slack. As if it were alive, it came back to him, rounding itself up in a loop. "'Fraid that means I'll have to kill you though. Not that there was any other way around this."

"Figured..." Naruto muttered.

Kushimaru cackled, slammed the tip of his sword into the steel ground just enough that it remained standing by being lodged into it, and slapped his palms together. 'Water Release; Hydro Vortex!' Then, his mask was removed up to the top of his mouth, and from there came a torrent of dark blue water. It rushed out as if it fled from the spout of a geyser, twisting and twirling around and around towards Naruto. The blond winced, it didn't look good. It would hit him in another second. There was no time to react, not with the wound on his leg.

'Earth Release; Terra Shield!'

Suddenly a vertical platform of solid rock broke through the steel floor, shredding it and standing strong between Naruto, Tayuya, and Kushimaru's approaching technique. Jirobo crouched behind it, hands dug into the ground. For a moment Naruto gaped at the larger man, surprised, before grinned. "I thought you were trying to kill me?"

"That was Sakon and Kidomaru's idea. Not mine." He replied, glancing over his own bulky shoulder to meet Naruto's eye. "You saved Tayuya. That's more than enough reason for me to forget the original plan."

"Ah..." Naruto replied, reaching into his back pouch and retrieving another, fresh kunai. He knew a shinobi of Kushimaru's specialty would be attacking when their sight was forced off of him. He counted on it. Jirobo was most vulnerable, it made sense that he'd be hit first. He sped towards Jirobo's back, and jumped just as soon as he came within a few inches of him; pushed off the rock wall with his heel and smashed his kunai into Nuibari. Kushimaru had met him in the air. Naruto spun and struck again, seeking to remain on the offensive - but Kushimaru struck at an opening, forcing him to shift his weight and narrowly slip away from a strong forward stab. He fell to the ground and landed on his feet, grateful for the assistance of Jirobo when the larger man halted Kushimaru's follow-up by landing a powerful blow against Nuibari's hilt.

Meanwhile, a haunting tune had filled the air. Tayuya had begun playing again, and this time her illusion was attacking Kushimaru.

Kushimaru flew back, flipped, and landed gracefully, letting the sword float in the air as he performed another set of seals. 'Water Release; Water Dragon's Talons!' This time, instead of a single, continuous stream, multiple bursts spread out in every direction, and then all fell towards Tayuya in an attempt to stop her playing. He had clearly watched them long enough to learn Tayuya's flute was the source of her illusions - Naruto forcing her to stop earlier during their fight didn't help. He thought to rectify that mistake.

Naruto dashed in front of Tayuya, his own hands flashing through a series of hand seals. His teeth clenched. The foe's technique was far too powerful for him to fully defend against, but he could do it just long enough for Tayuya to finish her own assault. 'Wind Release; Vacuum Sphere!' With a heavy breath, Naruto created a high torrent of wind all around him, literally sucking the air like a vacuum and preventing anything from passing through. The talons crashed against his shield, pressing it and pushing it as Naruto struggled to maintain it.

Tayuya pulled the flute from her mouth. "The hell are you doing?! You can't keep fighting like that with the injury on your..." She paused, staring down at his injured limb - or it should have been. But the gash where he had taken the blow in an effort to save her had vanished, the only sign there had been a tear being the torn clothing where the wound used to be. "...leg?"

Naruto smirked, but didn't have time to explain. He could feel his jutsu weakening. "Hurry up!" He growled, taking a forced step back. Jirobo had attempted to stop Kushimaru's onslaught, but he had been halted by another talon that split off from the others to hit him directly, sending him crashing back into a far wall. His body nearly broke through into the outer hall. "I can't keep this up forever. He's trying to stop your genjutsu. You should be able to hurt him with that."

"Right." Tayuya grumbled, resuming her playing. Seconds passed, and finally she completed her melody. Kushimaru suddenly stopped his technique, arms dropping harmlessly to his side as he stood, hunched over. Naruto dropped his technique, panting lightly from the exhaustion and strain. Tayuya lowered her flute and remained tense, holding it in front of her chest in case of a need to defend herself. Jirobo removed himself from the wall and collapsed to a knee. Naruto scowled. It couldn't have been that easy. Kushimaru was a well-known and extremely skilled Jonin - not just by reputation, Naruto now had personal evidence of that. It was inconceivable for him to have fallen sway to a genjutsu that easily. He knew that.

Of course it couldn't have gone over that smoothly. His body swayed, he was breaking loose! Having no time to spare, Naruto made a mad dash towards him, kunai bared and ready to cut through his throat. At some point Naruto realized it was a mistake, but by then it was already too late. A hand grabbed his own neck, forced him to the ground with a heavy slam and knocked the wind out of him. Naruto could almost feel his ribs break from the following heel smash. Blood spat from his throat involuntarily. Kushimaru laughed in that same, insane way he had minutes before. Of course it couldn't have been that easy!

The sword was raised. Jirobo and Tayuya couldn't hope to stop it in time. Naruto could see his end in sight. But he wasn't afraid. Obito had taught them not to be. He only regretted he wouldn't be able to continue his master's dream. He smirked up at the masked Jonin with a defiant glint in his eyes. So this was the end...

Or it would have been, had Kushimaru not been smashed back into the wall by an extremely large and surging burst of sand. Another collection of grains scooped Naruto up and carried him back away from the stunned Jonin. "Are you injured?" Gaara asked as Naruto was placed down beside him, arms crossed over his chest and aiming a harsh glare towards Kushimaru.

"Nothing that won't heal in a few minutes." Naruto confirmed with a grin, "Thanks though. Don't think I could survive having my brain pierced. Where's the other two?" He referred to the absent Sakon and Kidomaru.

"They're being tended to by Kimimaro. Apparently they betrayed us in spite of his orders not to." He replied.

"Oh. Well that kinda' sucks." Naruto answered, chuckling. He just barely managed to pull himself to his feet, warily and off balance at first but regaining his composure shortly thereafter. "Well, he'll be happy to know these two were a lil' more obedient." He said with a glance over at Tayuya and Jirobo. "They didn't give ya' any trouble, did th-"

Laughter interrupted them, Gaara's sand being blasted apart by a pulse of water. "Gettin' off lucky blondie! I would've skewered you to the wall!"

"I don't like being turned into a kebab, Kushimaru." Naruto replied with a smile, "So, you think you can take on the four of us? That last genjutsu almost finished ya' off."

"Heh, true..." Kushimaru replied. Naruto could swear he saw the bottom of his jaw stretch as if he was grinning. "Guess we'll finish this later then. I'll be hunting you down later, kid. Count on it." He retrieved his sword from the ground in a swift motion, then, with a half-mocking wave, dropped a pellet that released a large, purple smoke screen. It would hide his movements enough that none of them, not even Gaara as he sent his sand into the fog in wide, thick waves to hunt the ninja down. It soon became obvious that he had already escaped down the adjacent hall.

"Woooow." Naruto finally exclaimed as he fell back on his rear, using Gaara's sand as a sort of cushion. "I'm beat. Remind me not to pick a fight with one of the Seven Swordsmen for at least half a decade." He laughed. "Thanks Gaara, I owe you one."

The sand child nodded quietly. All the while, Tayuya had retreated to one of the corners of the room. She had a lot of thinking to do.

Land of Fire

Unknown Location; An Outpost of Orochimaru

The base was empty. It had been cleared of every living thing in a matter of minutes, struck so swiftly that none of them stood a chance of ever defending themselves. The soldiers were murdered, what few prisoners had already died of undernourishment. Everyone within the facility that had any association at all to Orochimaru was sent to the after life. Documents had been gathered and reviewed, certain ones destroyed while others were saved. Orochimaru was a disgusting individual - powerful enough to hold the respect of the world but with a twisted mind that found some perverted sense of pleasure in mutilating the course of nature in the pursuit of power.

It was a fact that most of his research didn't deserve, or in most cases wasn't even safe, to see the light of day.

Minato knew that, which was why he disposed of most of them before his subordinates even had a chance to see them. But he came there with one intent and purpose - not to discover secrets or retrieve information, or to rescue prisoners (although if he had been able to, he would have). He searched frantically for his son, but to no avail. Wherever Orochimaru was keeping Naruto, it wasn't there.

"Sensei." A shinobi with spikey, white hair that stuck up into the air as if physics had no effect on it at all, and a mask that covered the bottom half of his face, greeted as he walked up behind his master. Kakashi Hatake was a genius, one of Minato's prized students. All three of them were, making what happened to them even more painful to remember.

"Did you find anything?" Minato asked as he turned. He hoped for the best, but one look at Kakashi's ever passive face told him all he needed to know.

"No." He replied as he shook his head. "I'd like to continue looking with you, but I'm needed back at the village. The Third is assigning me another group of kids to look after."

"How do you think they'll do?" questioned the former Hokage, as he turned back to a desk cluttered with maps of the world.

"Hard to tell. Lord Sarutobi seems to think they're an exceptional group - one of them is even an Uchiha." the one-eyed shinobi replied; his headband covered his left eye. Minato paused to glance over at his former pupil, a moment of nostalgia overtaking the both of them. Of course it would work out that way - teams often resembled their previous incarnations. Had Naruto not been abducted all those years ago, he would be joining the new Team Seven.

Minato smiled. "I hope they do well..." he drifted off, frowning briefly - then sighing. There was no point thinking about the past. All he could do was keep searching. The Yellow Flash would not let his son go that easily. He would die first. "Have you heard anything from our contacts?"

Again, Kakashi shook his head. "No. Just reports of - well, 'nothing to report'. Except for the gang you hired to raid Orochimaru's base in the Land of Frost. They haven't reported in since yesterday." Minato scowled - that was unusual. Most of Orochimaru's bases were only guarded by a skeleton crew. The group that was to hit the Frost Base (as it had been nicknamed) was particularly skilled, with one of the Mist's Swordsmen at the head.

"I'll have to head there later and see what happened." Minato decided after a moment. "Thanks Kakashi. You can go."

Kakashi bowed, and in another moment disappeared in a plume of smoke, leaving Minato alone in the quiet chamber. Sounds of other shinobi echoed down the halls, but he ignored them. Since the discovery that Orochimaru had captured two Jinchuriki, which coincided with the abductions of Naruto and the disappearance of Rasa's child, Gaara, Minato had hunted the snake down without ceasing. It was the only thing he could do, until something else was brought to his attention. Certainly, it was better than hunting dead-end leads.

But the news that the Frost Base assault had potentially failed was promising. It meant it was possible Orochimaru wanted the base protected specifically. One did not defend an asset rigorously unless they had a need for it. A stretch, to be sure, but it wasn't impossible to assume Naruto was being held there. Minato only hoped Orochimaru hadn't performed any of his horrible experiments already.

Kami knew, if he had, Orochimaru would have hell to pay.