Chapter 13: Enter the Sound 6, Reinforcements Arrive 1/2

Kidomaru was quickly able to figure out how Neji could cut his webs, and although he soon believed himself to have the advantage Neji readied his 8 Trigrams 64 Palms to prove him wrong.

Kidomaru managed to shield himself from Neji's attack and fled into the trees.

Then he decided to attack from a distance and activated the first level of his Curse Mark, then sent out multiple spider attacks.

Neji was able to deflect them all, though Kidomaru did notice a delayed reaction with some of the blocks.

Kidomaru was able to theorize that Neji's defense had a blind spot, and attacked him further from that point.

His theory was proven right, and Neji was unable to block.

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"Well guys, looks we're down to 5." Tatsu noted.

"You don't have to worry about that, Choji and Neji will catch up in no time." Naruto assured them "Choji's got his trump card with him, and don't forget that I fought Neji in the Chunin Exams so I know."

"You know what?" asked Kiba.

"That guy is a true genius."

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After advancing to the second level of his Curse Mark and creating a bow and arrow from his webs, Kidomaru began taking shots at Neji's blind spot.

Neji was able to block the attack just enough to keep them from hitting any vital areas, though he was still left heavily damaged with each of Kidomaru's attacks.

Ready to finish the battle, Kidomaru prepared to use his most deadly arrow and fired it.

Neji took the arrow full force, though he already knew of his blind spot and moved at the last second to keep the arrow from piercing his heart.

With Kidomaru's arrow connected to him by a web, Neji sent his own chakra into the web, paralyzing Kidomaru with it.

As Kidomaru lay helpless, Neji approached him and managed to deal a finishing blow, ending the battle and securing the win.

With his injuries too severe, Neji collapsed, leaving the retrieval of Sasuke up to the rest of the group.

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It was getting close to sundown at this point, and Sakon and Tayuya were trying to pick up the pace.

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Kiba took a whiff "Tatsu, you sense it?"

Tatsu nodded "We're close, and there's only two of them left against the 5 of us." he received an angry yip "Sorry Akamaru, 6 of us."

"I like those odds." Shikamaru commented "If we play this right then the next time we meet them we'll be able to wrap this up once and for all. Though something does worry me."

"The fact that Zaku said there were 5 and we've only encountered 4 so far. And he mentioned something about a lightning sword, if it's who I think it is then we've probably got our work cut out for us."

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Sakon and Tayuya were concerned that the sun was going down and that they might be too late in bringing Sasuke to Orochimaru.

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Kiba sniffed it out "Hurry, they're just up ahead."

"No, we're close enough." Shikamaru decided "We'll stay right on their tale but we're gonna maintain this distance. We'll keep them in our sights, but we won't attack until sunrise."

"That's crazy!" Naruto barked "We can't afford to wait until then, what about Sasuke?"

Kiba nodded "He's right, and if we're gonna hit them with a surprise attack then it'll be an even bigger surprise if we hit them in the dark."

"The darkness might give us an edge at the first moment of contact, but after that it'll only put us at a disadvantage." explained Shikamaru "Don't forget what we're really after, we only want to keep them occupied just long enough to get Sasuke out of there. That'll take precision and split-second timing. We need to be able to see clearly, we can't risk going in blind wandering around in the dark. Once they knew what we were up to all they'd have to do was fall back and guard Sasuke. They could take up a defensive position and wait for us to come to them. The advantage would be all on their side. Of course things would be a lot different if we had Neji and his Byakugan."

"He's not the only one you know." Tatsu pointed out "Don't forget that I can sense chakra and we've still got Akamaru and Kiba's senses of smell."

"I didn't forget about that, but even so they've got the geography in their favor in this part of the woods. What's more, what's the sense of attacking now-"

"When you can't use any of your shadow jutsu."

"Exactly. The moonlight's too dim and there's too many clouds passing over for my Shadow Possession to be effective. It's a drag, but to be completely safe we've gotta wait until daylight."

"Fair enough, I just hope you're right."

"You and me both."

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With his body failing and still useless after the failed invasion, Orochimaru was anxiously waiting for Sasuke to switch to his body.

Despite waiting for as long as he could, hoping the Sound Four would return in time, his body brought him too much pain and he was forced to switch bodies with one of his prisoners.

As this happened, Kabuto sent a ninja by the name of Kimimaro out to retrieve Sasuke.

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Tayuya suddenly felt something "Hold on a second."

Sakon stopped "Are we almost there?"

"No, we still have a ways to go, but take a look."

Sakon looked back 'Crap.'

"And of course now that we need them there's no sign of Jirobo or Kidomaru."

Tatsu smirked "Sorry to disappoint, just us."

"Who needs those two? I can handle these guys myself!" Sakon charged in.

Kiba and Shikamaru were quick to make a move and promptly charged into buy time.

"Multiple Fists Barrage!" Sakon launched a quick barrage of punches, sending them back.

"Got it!" Tatsu held up a Rasengan.

'Chakra in the palm of his hand?'

"Rasengan!" Tatsu prepared to thrust it forward.

Sakon grabbed Tatsu's hand, stopping the attack "How are you supposed to hit me with it if you can't throw it?"

'Come on Kiba, do it now!'

"Tunneling Fang!" Kiba charged in and tore through Tatsu, revealed to be a Shadow Clone.

'Damn, a Shadow Clone!' Sakon was quick to dodge, but realized that he wasn't the target.

Kiba was making a beeline towards Tayuya and Sasuke.

'They lured Sakon right in front of me blocking my view, they were aiming for me the whole time!' Tayuya realized.

"So what, you think that's gonna do you any good?!" Sakon prepared to charge after him.

Tayuya found herself unable to move "What-What hit me?"

"It's called the Shadow Possession Jutsu." Shikamaru made himself known.

'He's got me pinned down! Meanwhile…'

"Got him!" Kiba suddenly made a grab for Sasuke.

"Tayuya don't just stand there! Get that guy!" Sakon barked.

'No!' with Shikamaru manipulating her, Tayuya moved forward.

"What are you doing?! Get out of the way! Can't stop in time!'

Shikamaru released his shadow at the last second, causing Sakon to crash straight into Tayuya without himself being harmed 'There!'

"Guys, catch!" Kiba threw Sasuke over to the others.

Tatsu caught Sasuke and slung him over his shoulder "Got him! Shika, we're pulling out!"

"Don't worry, I'm coming." Shikamaru followed after them "Just as I thought, they left themselves wide open. Sometimes being so sure of your own strength can be a weak spot."

"Maybe but it worked, and the whole is always greater than the sum of the parts."

"Yeah but-" then he paused "Shit."

"What's up?"

"A new chakra signature coming at us at 3 o'clock, one I don't recognize. Whatever it is, it's powerful. Let's hurry, it'll be right on top of us in a few minutes."

"You think it's that easy?!" Sakon flashed into the first level of his Curse Mark and charged at them, with Tayuya following.

"He's fast, let's pick up the pace!"

Kiba heard Akamaru yip as he put down some paper bombs along the way "Akamaru, once you set the bombs get moving!"

Sakon didn't notice a bomb until after it'd been lit "Shit!" he got caught in the blast.

Naruto grinned, along with the others "Alright, he fell for it!"

"Akamaru, nice work buddy!" Kiba received a yip.

"Don't you mess with me!" a pissed off Sakon emerged from the blast zone.

Kiba saw Akamaru trip and fall "Akamaru!"

"That's the last time you yip at me you mutt!" Sakon tied him down with some trapwire "You won't get away!"

"Hang on Akamaru!" Kiba covered Akamaru just as the blast went off, sending all of them tumbling down a cliff into the ravine below them.

"Kiba! Akamaru!" Naruto cried out "Dammit, what's happening? Where are they!"

"Guys, new enemy at 3 o'clock!" Tatsu barked "And at 12 o'clock."

Tayuya suddenly froze "What? What are you doing here?"

A shadowy figure suddenly appeared and kicked Sasuke away from Naruto and the others, then caught him and landed on another branch.

"Kimimaro…"

The figure, now known as Kimimaro, turned to face her "You were taking too long Tayuya, and what of our comrades, what happened to our other three men? This from the former members of the Sound Ninja 5."'

"Why have you come back here? Your body is… by now your body is…"

"My body is too devastated to move on its own anymore, I use the power of my mind."

"No way, now you're cheating death?"

"I understand much more now, the strength of my life force has intensified since escaping the prison of human flesh. I have had a taste of Lord Orochimaru's magnificent dream. This vessel is an important part of his dream, it has the flesh that Lord Orochimaru desires, but you have taken too much time in retrieving it."

Shikamaru studied Kimimaro 'Another freak to deal with, he doesn't seem like an ordinary opponent. We need to buy time and sort out the situation, it'd be stupid to confront him without-'

"Hey jerk!" Naruto yelled at Kimimaro, ripping Shikamaru from his thoughts "I've had just about enough of this crap you're spewing out!"

"Naruto…"

"I'm taking Sasuke back now!" he charged in a rage.

Then Tayuya appeared and slugged him, sending him flying 'That little-'

Then Kimimaro appeared beside her "Tayuya, I could end your life right now if I wished to. The reason I've decided to spare you is because you have a duty that you must complete, and my duty is to deliver the boy to Orochimaru alive."

"I thought you said it was too late for that now."

"You weren't listening, I told you that's the body that Lord Orochimaru desires more than anything else."

"It's his next vessel isn't it?"

"Exactly Tayuya, and delivering it to him is the only thing that I can do to please him. As for those four pieces of garbage, I leave them to you." then he grabbed Sasuke and took off.

Shikamaru's mind was racing 'Our mission is to find Sasuke and bring him back to the Leaf Village. We've gotta choose the path best for the mission, if we don't then we'll fail.'

Tayuya pulled out her flute "You rodents, I'm gonna end this in a flash!"

"Guys, listen to me. I've got a plan, but you've gotta follow it exactly."

Tayuya couldn't hear their plan and studied them instead, Tatsu and Naruto first 'Their only good moves are that Shadow Clone Jutsu, classic close range dumbass.' then Shikamaru 'And that one is a mid-range combat type, traps his enemies with the shadow jutsu. Thinks he's a pretty sharp platoon leader, my snow-white ass.'

"Alright, you guys got it?" asked Shikamaru, receiving numerous nods from the others.

"Well let's get on with it chumps!"

Shikamaru drew a kunai "It's 4-on-1, we've got the advantage! If we all gang up on her then we've got a good shot, what do you say guys?"

"Let's get her!" they all chorused.

Tayuya smirked "It doesn't matter how many of you there are, you're still a bunch of worthless jackasses!"

"Don't be cocky, we've got teamwork on our side!" and they charged.

"Bring it on!" she blocked a kunai.

"Now guys!"

"We'll knock your lights out!" but instead, Naruto and Tatsu all charged on ahead "See you later bitch!" and they left.

Tayuya growled "What the-? That whole thing was a trick, teamwork my ass you conniving little son of a bitch!" she snapped out of her rage just in time to escape his shadow "Nice try."

Shikamaru smirked "You sure talk a pretty big game, but you fell for the oldest trick in the book."

"You fool, you've got some nerve!"

"Oh well, at least I bought enough time for my friends to get away. Remember this, a person's jutsu isn't his only weapon."

Tayuya growled.

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Tatsu lead Naruto onwards across the landscape "Come on guys, we've gotta move. And for the record Naruto you need to keep your cool, Kurama's chakra is leaking out."

Naruto quickly composed himself "Sorry."

"Just remember, you're not the only one who wants to save him. Just hang in there Sasuke, we're coming for you.'

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Kimimaro set Sasuke down in a meadow 'When Tayuya comes back, I'll have to kill her.'

"BACK THE HELL UP!" with a thunderous roar, Tatsu showed up, with Naruto right behind him "Hey, how's it going."

Kimimaro turned to face him "Let's see, how shall I destroy the two of you?"

"You mean we." that was when Aoi suddenly appeared "I've been waiting for hours at the valley but the Sound 4 never showed. I never imagined Lord Orochimaru would send you."

"He didn't send me, I came of my own free will. You take the Uchiha and bring him to Lord Orochimaru, I shall deal with this vermin and join you shortly."

"So be it, but I'm not going to wait for you forever." then Aoi slung Sasuke over his shoulder and left.

"YOU'RE NOT GETTING AWAY!" Naruto charged, his eyes turning red and his appearance becoming more feral.

Kimimaro blocked his way "You will not proceed. It seems this one possesses an unusual chakra.'

"Tell me what Orochimaru is planning to do, and why the hell is he trying to get Sasuke so damn bad?!"

"Lord Orochimaru has already acquired the Immortality Jutsu, but a vast amount of time is required to obtain every jutsu and everything he wants from this world."

"So what?! What does that have to do with Sasuke?!"

"Just because he's immortal doesn't mean his body can maintain itself forever, so before his flesh decays a strong new body must be made into a vessel for his soul."

"Are you saying… that he's gonna use Sasuke's body?!"

"Precisely…"

"No, not Sasuke!" crimson chakra began flaring around Naruto's body "I WON'T LET YOU DO IT!"

"Naruto!" Tatsu cut him off sharpy "Listen carefully. The one carrying Sasuke is Aoi Rokusho, a former Hidden Leaf jonin wanted for deserting the village and stealing the Raijin Blade, a sword belonging to the Second Hokage himself."

"So what?!"

"I'm saying that he uses a LIGHTNING sword."

Naruto blinked.

"Crimson Wind his ass you idiot!"

Naruto blinked again.

"Just go."

"Got it!" Naruto charged off after him.

"No you don't." Kimimaro suddenly pulled a bone sword out of his body "Now you die!"

Tatsu suddenly appeared and blocked Kimimaro's sword with his own "Forget it, I'm your opponent now." then he pushed away the bone sword, then sheathed his own blade and quickly retreated a short distance 'So he pulled a bone sword out of his body, what else has he got?' he charged in, and nearly lost his life because of it.

"Camelia Dance."

Tatsu found the left side of his vision filled with a thin white line, and instantly knew what it was as well as the fact that it was in motion. So he rolled and leaned at the same time, barely managing to position his body to spin and slam his elbow into the back of Kimimaro's head.

The sword arced down from the stab, sweeping to cut open Tatsu's stomach.

Tatsu clasped both hands around the blade, allowing the momentum of Kimimaro's swing to throw him clear. He could see in the distance 'Come on, just a little more time and then I can get serious.'

"You do not have time to be concerned around your comrade's safety." Kimimaro.

"It's not him or the others I'm worried about. Frankly right now, it's me.'

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Shikamaru's battle with Tayuya began, with Tayuya summoning three creatures to help her in combat.

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Kiba and Akamaru's battle with Sakon and Ukon had already begun.

Now Sakon's brother Ukon revealed himself to help Sakon fight.

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While guiding her three beasts after Shikamaru, Tayuya activated the first level of her Curse Mark to make controlling them easier.

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As his battle with Kiba went on, Ukon entered the second level of his Curse Mark.

Recognizing the huge increase in strength Ukon and Sakon received, Kiba and Akamaru combined into a large two-headed wolf and unleashed their Wolf Fang Over Fang.

However, Sakon and Ukon are able to block the attack and split apart.

As the transformation dispersed, Akamaru was attacked and left heavily injured, and Ukon merged himself with Kiba's body.

Kiba needed to get rid of Ukon to save Akamaru and quickly stabbed himself, causing both him and Ukon to cough up blood.

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Tatsu leapt back and threw some shuriken to cover his retreat.

Kimimaro wasn't dissuaded, his sword knocking the shuriken out of the air, cutting some of them clean in half.

Tatsu's eyes hardened with his kind racing 'Come on, there's gotta be a way to get around this Kekkei Genkai.' he managed to throw out a kunai right in the right instant.

It did nothing but stick in Kimimaro's skin, not going in much further than a centimeter.