Leaf vs Sand!

Naruto stretched his body flat as he leaped between two tree branches following Kakashi's dog: Pakkun. The miniature pug had led them at a break neck pace in pursuit of Gaara and his siblings, the result being that they were closing in on the trio fast. It was probably due to the older two sand ninja being slowed by dragging Gaara along with them. Naruto looked to his left and right at Sakura and Haru. Haru's face was a bit pale, having come out of a fight with Neji, his chakra was down below half so the discolor in his face was understandable. Sakura on the other was looking just fine, a bit red from the insane pace Naruto and Pakkun was setting but other than that she was looking fine.

Naruto glanced at their canine companion, he had to admit the animal had impressed him. It's ability to pick up Gaara's scent so quickly and then move this fast was defiantly something that they could use in the future.

"Pakkun." hollered Naruto "How close would you say we are?" The small pug looked over his shoulder.

"We should catch up to them in roughly five minutes," the pug announced "you better get yourself ready how ever you need to." Naruto nodded the pug before glancing at each of his teammates. Sakura steeled her resolve, Haru closed his eyes focusing on replenishing as much of his chakra as possible. Naruto on the other hand began gathering his own chakra in his right arm, finger tip to shoulder joint just like Kakashi had taught him. The maneuver he was about to attempt could give the jump on their opponents they needed. He flashed through his hand signs: Ox, Rabbit, Monkey. It was tougher than he thought, charging up Chidori and running through the canopy off the vast forest surrounding the Village. He stumbled once, nearly falling to the forest floor, but his quick reflexes enabled him to catch a lower branch and hurtle back into the canopy.

"Naruto, are you ok?" asked Sakura.

"Fine," came his short response. It hurt him to be so short and blunt with Sakura, but he had to focus on charging his attack.

"Look sharp guys," said Pakkun "We're almost there." Naruto put all but a small amount of focus into charging his move. Finally when they nearly caught the sand ninja, the tell-tale noise of his Chidori began. He heard Sakura's sharp gasp causing him to look back at them.

"I'm going to launch a surprise attack with my Chidori," he told them causing them look at him in concern. "It's the only way we can throw them off balance, think about it you know it's true." The other two members of Team Seven couldn't argue with his logic. Naruto lead the charge of the three into a large clearing where the sand shinobi where resting. Sakura and Haru remained in the shadow of the trees while Naruto leaped into the open bearing down on the three wielding his Chidori. Flying through the air Naruto zeroed in on Gaara and slammed the Chidori. The impact created a massive explosion, and threw a huge dust cloud. When it settled Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro all stood facing Naruto who was standing in the middle of a crater. The three had managed to dodge it, barely.

"Well well," Said Kankuro in a condescending tone "If it isn't that kid with that crazy eye."

"Shut up Kankuro," Said Gaara as he drew himself to full height, the wound in his shoulder was still bleeding but he seemed to have gained most of his strength back.

"Uh sure Gaara," said Kankuro.

"But really kid what do you intend to do fight all three of us alone?" asked Temari. As soon as she finished her sentence Sakura and Haru appeared on either side of Naruto.

"We'll leave Gaara to you Naruto," Said Haru "we'll handle the other two."

"Oh really, your gonna handle us?" asked Kankuro "We'll see about that." The four Shinobi leaped into the air leaving Naruto and Gaara to square off against one another. The two Shinobi stared at each other, Gaara crazed eyes boring into Naruto's mix matched eyes. Normally no one would dare meet the gaze of Sharingan, Gaara however was so far gone, Naruto's Hypnotic Eye had no effect on the crazed Sand Ninja.

"So you choose to face me?" said Gaara in a low tone.

"I will stop you," said Naruto "I don't care if you do act like a demon, I have the real thing inside of me."

"A demon inside of you huh?" asked Gaara "My Demon is as real as yours is, and even now that demon seeks blood, it compels me, it cared for me when the rest of my village pushed me away. I was to be the sand villages ultimate weapon, and so when I was still in my mother womb my unborn self was fused with the sand sprite Shukaku. However as my power grew, they all came to fear me and several attempts were made on my life. You see I killed the woman who gave birth to me, I was born a monster and I will kill you. That is my purpose, my reason for living lies solely in the killing of others."

"I don't care if that's what you believe," said Naruto "You will not harm the people of this village."

"Very well Naruto Uzumaki," said Gaara "You are in my way there for you are my prey." With that the sand carried in Gaara's gord sprang forth at Naruto. Naruto back flipped out of he way as it slammed into where he was standing. While in the air he flashed through his hand signs.

"Fire Style: Great Fire Ball Jutsu!" the massive fire ball was the size of a small house and engulfed Gaara, setting the field ablaze. He landed and quickly pulled his kunai off his hips. As the large fire ball dissipated Gaara stood in the center, but he'd changed, his right arm had become a massive sort of claw. He'd used it as a shield and protected himself from Naruto's attack. Naruto wasted no time in charging his opponent. Gaara attacked with his massive arm, driving Naruto several feet back where he rolled across the ground several times. He came with more hand signs.

"Fire style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!" The fifteen minute fire balls raced at Gaara hiting him from all angles. Gaara again blocked with his arm.

"Dammit!," He thought "Jutsu of this level aren't working, I'm gonna have to hit him with Chidori but..."

Flashback

Naruto gasped and panted as her stared at the rock in front of him. Filed with three small craters.

"Not bad," praised Kakashi "Looks like with all your other Jutsu you can still use the Chidori three times." Naruto looked at the rock and glared.

"Hey don't get like that," said Kakahsi "It's only because the rest of your chakra is suppressing the influence of the nine-tails, and as you get stronger you'll be able to use it even more."

"What would happen, if I tried to use it more than three times?" asked Naruto. Kakashi cocked his head to the side.

"Well not only would it not work," said Kakashi "The Chakra used to suppress the nine-tails would rush to fill the void and you would unleash it's power. All in all, very bad things."

End Flashback

"If I don't his him with this and do some significant damage I'm going to be at a serious disadvantage," he thought. Gaara charged him bearing down at him with his massive claw. Naruto did a back hand spring to evade and throw three kunai as a distraction. Gaara simply block them with his arm, the sand seemed impenetrable as if it were made of Iron. Naruto knew that if he could get any space between him and Gaara then he'd never be able to use Chidori. He crossed his fingers.

"Multi Shadow clone jutsu!" the two dozen clones would provide the distraction he needed. They charged Gaara who destroyed half of them in a single sweep of his arm.

Ox, Rabbit, Monkey. He flashed through his hand signs and gripped his bicep to charge the attack. It took longer than he'd had hoped and soon all the clones were destroyed and Gaara was charging at him again. Naruto sprinted at him to meet his charge. The two collided and Chidori ripped through Gaara's arm. Gaara let out a blood curdling scream and fell to his knees. He was panting, his face contorted in pain. Then it calmed and a sadistic smile split his face seemingly in two. Sand pour from the boys gourd again, covering his body, twisting it into something perverse. Into the sand demon Shukaku. Then Gaara attacked, the sand was so fast Naruto didn't know what was happening until the sand began to snake up his leg, preparing for the sand coffin jutsu.

000000

Haru wasn't sure how long he'd last as he leaped after Kankuro. His fight with Neji had left him low on chakra. He knew he'd have to end things fast, but that thing he had on his back, it was some sort of puppet from what Sakura had said. The little bit he knew about Shinobi who fought with puppet suggested that they hid a wide array of secret weapons in the puppet's body. Haru wanted to end this fight quickly so he decided to attack with one of his strongest attacks. He flashed through his hand signs.

"Earth style: Stone Shuriken," he murmured. Kankuro looked around him as the countless stone shuriken rose from the ground.

"Well this should be interesting," said Kankuro. The hundreds of shuriken flew at Kankuro who leaped into the air attempting to escape. He landed a few feet away breathing slightly heavier, a few of the shuriken had hit mostly in the leg and arm. He pulled them out while glaring at Haru, after the last one was removed he straightened and pulled his puppet off his back.

"So let's see how well you 'handle' this," he said and with that attacked Haru. The puppet flew at Haru, it's ominous clicking noise reaching Haru's ears and instantly annoying the hell out of him. The puppet extended its hand a blade sprang from its wrist. Haru dove to the left coming up wielding his trusty Demon-Wind Shuriken. He deflected the puppets next attack and aimed the Shuriken at its master. Kankuro ducked the weapon and attacked again with the puppet. Haru ducked the attack and had to block the other blade the puppet had extended from it's other wrist with a kunai. He pushed it away and the puppet opened it's mouth. Three purple balls flew out of it and exploded at Haru's feet, a think purple smog surrounded him.

"Dammit," he said. The poison gas engulfed him blocking Kankuro's view of him. Kankuro let out a throaty laugh, he knew he'd killed that annoying Leaf ninja and was going to take his body back to the village to burn. However when the gas cleared away, Haru was nowhere to be seen. Kankuro let out a gasp and began franticly looking around.

"Dammit, where is he?" growled out Kankuro as his Crow puppet dove in and out of bushes looking for the kid.

"Where?" he heard Haru's disembodied voice. Then a hand burst out of the ground and grabbed his ankle, let something out of a horror movie.

"Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu," said Haru. Kankuro felt himself sucked into the ground, only his head was left above ground, then he felt something bind his wrists. Crow fell to the ground, useless. Haru burst from the ground in front of him.

"Well that should take care of you," he said "But just in case," he start making signs again."Earth Style: Domed Prison jutsu!" a dome arose from the ground and covered Crow. Ignoring Kankuro's curses and threats he gazed around the field, Gaara and Naruto were locked in heavy combat, when fighting a foe like Gaara, Haru knew he'd just be in the way. He raced off, to help Sakura.

00000

Sakura charged Temari and aimed a kick at her head. Temari blocked it with her large fan and pushed Sakura back. Sakura flipped in the air and landed on her feet. She knew thrown weapons were useless against Temari, having watched Tenten fight her in the prelims. On top of that, Temari was a good strategist not as clever as Shikamaru, few were, but more clever than Sakura. Sakura was going to have to win this fight, through superior ninjutsu. She did, however have one trick up her sleeve, her Genjutsu. She hadn't had to use it in the fight against Ino so Temari had yet to see it. The only problem was that Sakura still hadn't mastered it yet and it took a bit longer than desired to build up the chakra than desired, plus it took heavy taxes on her chakra. So for now she was limited to her water jutsu, not that there was any problem with that, she knew several and they were quite powerful. An as even more of a bonus, there was a river not to far away.

Temari looked at Sakura with a smirk, confidence evident on her face. Sakura glared at her, she wasn't about to let this girl intimidate her. She dug her feet into the ground, ready for the girl to attack. Temari drew her fan back and swung hard at Sakura.

"Wind Scythe Jutsu!" The massive cyclone roared at Sakura, Sakura flashed through hand signs.

""Water Style: Water Gun!" The two attacks collided and fought for dominance before slowly dissipating.

"Well, Well," said Temari "it looks like you have some skill after all." Sakura glared at her and charged, making her hand signs.

"Water Style: Water Dragon Missile!" shouted Sakura. Temari's Eyes grew large as the river behind Sakura seemed to come to life. The water took on the very shape of a dragon and roared at Temari. Temari tried to leap out the way, her wind would have no effect on a jutsu of that size. The water crashed into her and slammed her into a tree, where she stayed pinned until it died down. She slow dragged herself to her feet, this pink hair 'princess' had surprised her. She used her fan as a makeshift crutch.

"Sakura!" they both looked to see Haru running towards them, he was pale. He stumbled and fell to his knees at Sakura's feet.

"Haru what's wrong?" asked Sakura keeping an eye on Temari.

"N-nothing," he gasped out "I came to lend you a hand." Sakura looked down at him, bewildered. He'd beaten Kankuro? He truly had grown.

"Well I won't say you help isn't appreciated," said Sakura "But are you in the best shape, two fights in one day is a lot for anyone to handle yet alone three." Haru climbed to his feet and steeled his resolve.

"I'll be alright," he said "I've got enough chakra for one more jutsu." Sakura looked at him wearily but knew that this was her best chance to finish off Temari and go help Naruto like she wanted to.

"Alright," she said "I'll attack her, you look for an opening and use you jutsu, Hopefully it will be enough to take her out." Haru nodded and turned to face off against Temari. Temari attacked with her Wind Scythe Jutsu, the cyclone hit where they were throwing a massive dust cloud. Haru and Sakura leaped to either side, Haru started charging and making his hand signs.

"Too slow!" yelled Temari and threw three shuriken. Haru was so concentrated on the jutsu he didn't dodge. The three weapons hit him in the chest. Dropping him to the ground.

"Haru!" shouted Sakura before glaring at Temari "You'll pay for that bitch!" she started flashing through signs faster than she even had before. Temari smirked, she wasn't about to be hit by the same jutsu again. She began to leap out of the way. Terror gripped her when she found out she couldn't something was anchoring her to the earth. She looked down and saw two hand sticky out of the ground.

"Now Sakura!" she heard someone say.

"Water style: Water Bullets!" screamed Sakura. She slowly advanced on the Sand Genin, pounding her with heavy shots. Soon she fell unconscious. Sakura dropped her hands and let out a bit of a sigh. Haru popped out of the ground and collapsed, completely exhausted.

"Haru," yelled Sakura and dropped down next to him.

"I'm, I'm ok," he murmured "Go help Naruto. I know you want to." With that Haru Passed out.

"Pakkun!" she yelled. Kakashi's ninja hound leaped from the cover of the trees.

"What is it Sakura?" he asked.

"Can you look after Haru while I go and give Naruto a hand?" she asked the Ninja hound.

"Sure Sakura," answered the pug "You just be careful. Sakura nodded at the dog and leaped off to help Naruto.

0000000

"This is bad," thought Naruto as the sand snaked up his leg "this is really bad."

His only hope was that maybe this was sand from the ground not sand from Gaara's gourd. He ran through his hand signs.

"Fire Style: Fire ball Jutsu!" shouted Naruto putting his first two fingers to his mouth he exhaled, covering the sand in a huge ball of fire. He put as much of his chakra of he dared into it. As the flame died down, Naruto saw that this was indeed sand from the earth. Drawing a kunai he stabbed the glass, shattering it. He leaped back doing a back handspring and landed on one knee. He had several cuts in his leg now.

"Naruto!" he heard a female cry from his left. He turned to see Sakura running at him. She raced to his side and squared off against Gaara who was recovering from his failed jutsu.

"Sakura, what are you doing here?" he demanded, not remembering to look at Gaara. Before she could answer him, Naruto was hit in the side by Gaara's arm, which had some how managed to extend from where he was. Naruto flew several feet before landing hard on his side and rolled to his back.

"Giant Sand Storm!" shouted Gaara and gave a great exhale. Sand flew from his mouth right at Naruto. Sakura however at the last minute leaped in the way, taking the full blast of it. After the wind died down she fell to her knees and then onto her side.

Gaara looked shocked, why had that girl saved him? It didn't make sense to him. She should live for herself not others.

Naruto watched Sakura fall in slow motion, a vision of Sasuke came racing back to him.

Flashback

Naruto uncrossed his arms from over his head. He had felt no pain, in front of him, Sasuke stood his arms out wide. The senbon that had been meant for him, were now in Sasuke's chest and arms. Slowly the Uchiha turned to look at him.

"You should see your face," he said "you look like, a total loser!" With that the Uchiha fell to the ground coughing trying to clear his lungs of the blood that was quickly filling them.

End Flashback

"No!" thought Naruto "No please not again!" he leaped to his feet and ran to Sakura's side.

"Sakura, Sakura!" he gently shook her trying to get her to look at him. Slowly she looked at him her eyes unfocused.

"N-Naruto?" she asked looking confused "What happened?"

"You took the full brunt of that attack," he said "Why?"

"I, I h-had too," she explained "You mean too much to me." With that the girl fell silent, her eyes closing.

"Sakura! Sakura!" screamed Naruto. Tears stung at his eyes. Behind him he heard Gaara's deep throaty laughter. He wiped around tears flying.

"You just shut the hell up!" he screamed. His emotions were all over the place. Gaara charged at Naruto Naruto stood over Sakura intent on protecting her. Suddenly Gaara seemed to slow down. He swung at Naruto, his movement seemed sluggish. Naruto ducked the swing and hit Gaara with a strong uppercut, knocking him on his back.

"What's going on?" he pondered out loud. He was so caught up in his wonder that he didn't see Gaara's next blow coming. He saw it at the last second and ducked. It caught him on the top of his head tearing his headband off. It fell to the ground in front of him. His reflection was in the metal protector, what he saw caused him to start. His Sharingan had changed, it had been a level two. Now it was a level three, that's why he'd been able to read Gaara's physical attack. Garra charged him, so Naruto left the headband where it was and ducked under the swing, then he lept over another one and flipped out of the way of a third one. Gaara, growing more and more frustrated let out a furious growl. Suddenly, Gaara exploded. Sand flew in all directions Naruto covered his face with his arms. After the dust cloud died down he gasped at what he saw. Standing in front of him, was the sand Spirit Shukaku.

"Crap," he said "I've only got one chance, I hope something crazy happens. He slashed his thumb with his kunai. Boar, dog, bird, monkey, sheep! He slammed his hand on the ground.

"Summoning Jutsu!" he felt his chakra drain, and he was in a huge cloud of smoke. He felt as if he was being shoved into the sky. When the smoke cleared he found himself standing on top of a massive Red Toad. He stepped back as the toad shifted looking around. Behind Naruto still Laying down was Sakura. Naruto knelt down and held her tight to him, keeping her from falling.

"Hey, where the hell am I" demanded the toad. "Who the hell summoned me?"

"Uh I did," said Naruto from atop his head.

"And who the hell are you?" demanded the toad.

"Naruto Uzumaki," he replied" yourself?"

"I am Chief Gammabunta!" said the Toad.

"Ok chief, I hate to bother you but I could really use your help right now." said Naruto. Gamma looked at the Shukaku.

"I see," said the Toad almost thoughtfully "The Shukaku eh?" Gaara Suddenly popped out of the Shukaku's forehead.

"Play Possum Jutsu," he said and fell asleep. Suddenly the Shukaku let out a piercing shrieking laugh.

"It's so good to finally be released," it exclaimed.

"That's not Gaara's true voice," said Naruto bewildered.

"No," replided Gamma "That is Shukaku, The medium is asleep, to brake this jutsu, we have ti wake him up."

"And how do we do that?" asked Naruto.

"We gotta hit him," suddenly Shukaku put his hand on his stomach and reared back. "It's Shukaku's Air Bullet, kid do you know any fire Jutsu? We may be able to turn this to our advantage."

"A couple," replied Naruto "what do I need to do?"

"Just aim for right in front of my nose," said Gamma "I'll take care of the rest." Naruto flashed througth his hand signs.

"Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!" he reared back and blew hard, at the same time Gamma let a spew of oil fly from his mouth. The fire ignited the oil causing a huge stream of fire. At the same time, Shukaku let go his air bullet. The two jutsu's collided. The fire style adsorbed the wind style, blustering it's power. Shukaku was enveloped in a great geyser of flame. He let out a scream as it scorched his skin. Gamma used the distraction to close the distance.

"Oh that really hurt!" he screamed when the fire finally died down. Some how the fire had not reached Gaara. Naruto, leaving Sakura on Gamma's back and asking him to watch out for her, leaped from Gamma's back and landed in front of Gaara, one swift punch and Gaara awoke.

"What?" exclaimed Shukaku, "what I just got here." Shukaku disintegrated into sand. Gaara and Naruto both fell out of the sky, landing hard on the ground. Naruto dragged himself to his feet and glared at Gaara who was mimicking him.

"Why?" asked Gaara " I don't understand, why would you do this for anyone but yourself?"

"Because they saved me," said Naruto "From turning into you." Gaara's face looked awestruck. He dropped his aggressive stance and stared at Naruto. Suddenly he was joined by his siblings intent on killing Naruto. As they stepped forward Gaara's voice stopped them.

"Temari, Kankuro," he started before dropping to his hands and knees "That's enough, it's over." They hesitated for a minute before picking him up.

"Yeah, ok Gaara," said Kankuro. The three siblings leaped off, leaving their leaf opponents far behind.

Naruto raced to Sakura who the chief had just laid on the ground before disappearing. He fell to his knees unable to hold his own weight.

"Sakura," he called out. She stirred slightly and looked at him, they shared a smile, a real smile, they were alive.

000000

Kakashi leaped through the trees looking for his team, they'd been gone for three hours. The battle in the village was over. The Leaf shinobi had drove out the invading Sound and Sand ninja, however the Third had lost his life fight Orochimaru. He was beginning to get worried, he had confidence in their abilities but he wondered if he'd made a mistake sending Naruto after Gaara. Just as he was about to give up hope, he stumbled across a clearing. Inside sat three people and a dog.

"Naruto, Sakura, Haru," he said landing a few feet away "There you are." They all three turned and looked at him, each was banged up. Sakura had bruising on most of her body, her hair was a mess and her face was pale. Haru was pale, sickly pale, Kakashi knew it was do to chakra exhaustion, and he was favoring his left leg. Naruto looked the worse, his clothing was torn to ribbons, and his headband was missing. His shirt hung off his body exposing must of his upper body, his torso was covered in wounds and blood. Blood was matted in his golden hair and he was limping.

"you've all been through hell, so that makes what I have to tell you even harder," he said "The Hokage is dead and Sakura, so are your parents.

Well that's that my friends I know, kinda short and pretty much just one long battle. But as I said earlier, I wrote most of this chapter in a doctors office during breaks between holding my wife's hand (Read: Getting my fingers broke) while she was having contractions. Feel free to point out any errors I may have made, I'm tired. I'm sorry I can't give you more, Kami knows you deserve it. It'll try to update soon, so keep them reviews coming, they help.

"Even if the morrow is barren of promises; nothing shall forestall my return."