Chapter shout out!! Aria_Rakeru_Uchiha, trentonarnott, UnforgivaNgel, MikuuIsBest, Starapter, EmilyHoran_Pancake, Donut_Demolisher.

I do not own Naruto, any of the original main Naruto characters, or the main Naruto plot. That all belongs to Masashi Kishimoto, but I do own all of MY original characters and how I change the plot.

*Warning* This chapter has a little bit more foul language than normal, but that because it has Tayuya and Harmony in the same 20 feet radius, and we all know how lovely Tayuya's language is. She puts a pissed off Harmony to shame, (and we all know how a pissed off Harmony likes to talk... And there is a pissed off Harmony in this chapter... Lots of swears coming from the two hot-headed redheads... But one is slightly pinker, while the other is more orange.)

Note from editor- So so sorry! i took forever to edit this so blame me for the lateness of this chapter!

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Chapter 53 -

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'You guys alright?' I asked them as I slowly walked over to them, checking each of them for wounds, but thankfully, all they had were scratched and scraps. When satisfied I sat down beside Naruto, who was crouching on the ground to the left of Shikamaru. Neji was to our left while Choji and Kiba (plus Akamaru) where to Shikamaru's right. I couldn't help but slightly snicker in my mind when I saw Kiba finger Debu.

"This is nothing Nala. But are you okay?" Naruto questioned when he placed a hand on my back, only to pull away to see red covering it. "You’re bleeding Nala!"

'It's nothing to fret over. Just my back being introduced with a tree. I'm fine, thanks to what has got to be one if the best distractions ever,' I told him as I rubbed my head gentility against his shoulder, before lifting my head back up to the sky, looking for the white, crystal-like bird. But just like how she seemed to appear out of nowhere, she disappeared, nowhere in sight. 'Strange....'

"So, you got out of my blockade... Fabulous job," Debu said, sounding impressed, but in a sick I-really-want-to-kill-you-all-now-because-it-could-be-fun kind of way.

'Is it just me...? Or did he get even creepier... I mean, both the one with six arms and the one that looks like he has two heads are creepy, but this... I think he tried to think, broke his brain, and went into primal mode or something,'I said solely to Shikamaru, mostly because Naruto and Kiba had just taken off to pound Debu, both claiming him 'their' kill. Only reason I wasn't with them. As an animal, I respected their claims, not that I didn't want to get in on it, so that's why I resorted to insulting him.

"STOP!'" Neji yelled out. Making the two impulsive boys stop and look at him. "It's too dangerous to fight him here. Although it's six against one, he's not an opponent we can defeat with our chakra depleted."

"If we waste too much time here, Sasuke will cross the territorial border. If that happens, we cannot pursuer him any farther," I lowered my tail slightly as Shikamaru talked. I was being too hot headed as well. Even though I didn't run off like the other two, I still didn't try and stop them. 'Estúpido Nala! Think!' I swore to myself in Portuguese, Rin's native tongue.

"THEN WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSE TO DO?!" Naruto fired back with uncontrolled rage. When no one answered him Kiba spoke up.

"We broke the barrier... We can take care of this guy ourselves," He said with a cocky attitude as he cracked a few knuckles. Even though he had his back to us, I could tell Akamaru wasn't as confidante as his master from the few small whimpers that escaped from him.

"Annoying flies... You all are merely my prey," Debu said as he slammed his hands together to make an Earth-style handsign, "though, you wouldn't even be a small snack for me."

'That... Does not look good. Why did one of the only people I know how can use water style jutsus have to be one that was kidnapped?! Seriously!!" I yelled out in annoyance as Shikamaru yelled out a warning and Debu slammed his right hand down to the ground, causing a shockwave explosion big enough to disturb the ground and send us all flying a few meters back. I flipped through the air as I watched the huge cloud of dust pass away before landing on all four (for what seemed like the first time today!) I narrowed my eyes when I didn't see a fat silhouette of Debu though the cloud, so I quickly sniffed the air before reeling around, baring my teeth.

'Behind us! He used that attack to distract us and went underground!- Ooooh... Caralho...' I said, slipping out yet another Portuguese swear, and for a good reason too. Debu was behind us, but he was also holding up what looked like to be a boulder that could have been easily three-four tons.

"Doton-Doryo Dango!!*" He roared before throwing it with inhuman strength, but we were already running before he had thrown it.

"NIKUDAN SENSHA!!!*" Someone else yelled out, making us all loot back to see... Something. Like a giant rapid spinning ball, breaking the oncoming attack into pieces.

"Ugh!!" "Choji!!" Kiba and Naruto yelled at the same time as they tried to evade the barrage of broken rocks falling all round us like meteorites.

'THAT'S CHOJI?! Well, I guess I know how you guys broke out now. GO CHOJI!!!' I cheered as I watched the spinning inflated shinobi, only to see it stop suddenly. And I could no longer see the fat idiot because Choji had stopped where he had been standing. 'And that fat idiot had in-human strength. We did not think that one through.'

"Shoushitsu!! Tokken!!*" The debu yelled out in turn. Sending Choji flying back with a powerful knee to the gut and aggressive tackle. Choji flew for a few feet, hitting the ground every now and again before he slammed into Shikamaru, who luckily caught him and minimised the damage done to the two. Seeing as I was closer to those two then the other three, who were all majorly pissed off and so was I, and ran over to check over them, and let Shikamaru place one of Choji's arms over my body, sharing some of his weight as we help prop him up.

"EVERYONE WAIT!!" Shikamaru yelled, more aimed at the three (four counting our small dog) already in their fighting positions. Shikamaru placed the rest of Choji's weight on me as I sat down and as he moved to a crouch.

"We need to split up from here! We have no time. At this rate, we won't be able to catch up with Sasuke or Harmony. Neji, you'll act as a co-leader. Take Kiba, Nala and Choji with you to chase after Sasuke. I'll take care of this guy with Naruto!" He commanded, his hands forming his signature hand sign. I growled at him lowly, but didn't say anything. He was right; we were wasting time and needed to get moving again. I slowly stood up and adjust to Choji's heavier weight as he leaned against me on the ground.

"Are you planning on using the shadow bind thing again?" Debu asked with a scoff. "Such a useless move... Just one glance and I know how to deal with it. You were the squad leader huh... You really think you can defeat me when you split up? Must be tedious to work under such a foolish leader... Huh, underling!!?" I swear I heard something go 'snap' from Choji. I gave him a worried look, but his eyes were shadowed over. 'Choji..?'

"Well, I'd kill any trash who'd work under such a shadow loving sucker... Even before they felt bored," as Debu continued, I felt movement from Choji and watched as he pushed himself up slowly. His eyes still shadowed over.

'Hey... Choji. What are you doing? I know that Debu is a bastard, but you shouldn't be trying to move,' I said with a worried tone. I didn't like how he was acting right now, but his best friend was getting insulted. I know for a fact I would be acting worse than him, but he was still hurt from the hit he just got.

"Dammit, stop babbling like a fool! I'll-"

"HE'S MINE!!" Choji yelled out when he stood up fully, cutting Naruto off. "I'll take care of him!!"

"Choji..." Shikamaru said quietly. I snuck a glance at him. Judging by his face, volunteering for something was once in a blue moon with Choji.

"Shikamaru, give these soldier's pills to everyone else," Choji said, snapping my attention back to him as he held out a small draw string sac. I think that's when I went into shock.

'No... Choji... You can't be thinking that... That...' I couldn't even fully say what I was thinking in my mind. He couldn't!

"Choji... You gotta be kidding me!!" Shikamaru yelled at him, only to get a small laugh in return.

"You think so? I've still got the secret weapon for myself."

"But... That's-"

"Shikamaru, take everyone else and go!!" Choji yelled back as he began taking a few steps forward. I don't know why, but my feet stayed rooted to the spot. I was okay with the idea of leaving two behind, thinking that there's a good chance they will come back, but the thought of abandoning someone to take care of this monster froze me.

"WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?! HE'S NOT SOMEONE YOU CAN TAKE OF BY YOURSELF!!" Naruto yelled as Choji step besides and past him, trying to talk sense.

"What did we come here to do? If we lose track of Sasuke and Harmony. We'll only become what Jiroubou called us... Just a foolish leader and a bunch of trash," I lowered my head again when he said that. 'Harmony...'

"Everyone, eat this. It's a gift from Choji," Shikamaru said, holding out the small sac Choji had given him. We all turned but Choji and walked up to him, taking a few for ourselves. One thing for sure, those pills sure where bitter.

"Thanks Choji," Naruto said when he turned.

"Choji, you better catch up to us later," Shikamaru commanded him as we all stepped away, already feeling the pills running through our veins. I could only compare it to a pure adrenaline rush.

"Alright," Choji replied, but I didn't think it was good enough. I turned around and growled low in my throat.

'Oi Choji. You make sure to kick Jirobou's, or Debu's, or whatever his name his ass, you got that?! As a shinobi of the Hidden Leaf that is the least you can do for what he has done! Got it?! And under no circumstance are you allowed to kick the goddamn bucket on us!' I didn't wait for his reply before I took a running leap into the forest, following the scent of the others we were tracking. Everyone else too had left when I had, and with a non-verbal command I took over Choji's watch, running behind Naruto, but in front of Neji.

"EVERYONE GO!!!" We heard Choji yell as we ran through the trees, no doubt in battle. Even though I was in no way religious (who ever heard of a religious cat?) I sent a quick pray. 'Please god, let him come out safe. Or at least let him be safe enough to not be in life-threatening danger,' I may have not been close to him, but he was a fellow comrade of the Leaf. Yeah, I was one prideful, non-religious, kitten.

"Shikamaru, I overheard those conversations between you and Choji. He seems to be carrying a trump card... But, does he really have a chance?" Neji asked as we ran, no longer able to hear the scruffs of fighting.

"Yeah, what's 'that'?" Kiba asked. Shikamaru was silent for a little bit before speaking up.

"He brought with him blue, yellow, and red pills to the mission. They're the top secret pills of the Akimichi clan, and they give you an enormous boost of power when you use them," Shikamaru explained, and I couldn't help but feel a little relieved, but a lingering feeling tugged at the back of my mind. I was relieved... But scared.

"That's why he was so sure of himself!!" Naruto yelled, he too seemed relieved.

'I'm still worried about Akimichi-kun. The guy he's up against was really strong... I'm not sure if Akimichi-kun's plan will work...' Akamaru whinnied. (Sensei Note: I know in the past chapters Akamaru never really said anything, but that's because it wasn't directly Nala's POV, now that it is, she can hear what he says. I mean, they are both animals...)

"Yeah, I was thinking the same thing," Kiba replied, a hint of worry in his voice.

"What's wrong, Akamaru?" Naruto asked, and I couldn't help but lightly scoff on how not all humans could hear us when we spoke.

"You know how Akamaru can estimate the enemy's strength by scent...He's worried that a single pill isn't enough to take care of the monstrous bastard."

"Well, if we analyze the situation, we have no accurate estimate if the full strength of that big guy... And the possibility of Choji defeating him is maybe slim to nil, but... That's the real battle," Neji said, his voice never wavering, always cool, almost uncaring.

"Yea. This mission wasn't a game from the beginning. Our lives are at stake. There was even a worst case scenario where we had to act separately on our own. Even now, we have to be prepared for 'one man one kill', or else we won't get to Sasuke in time," Shikamaru said to everyone, before taking a calming breath," Choji is a good guy... But he was no confidence in himself. He thinks that he is the weakest one of us all."

"...Pretty sure I'm the weakest one here... But I bet if I fought against Akamaru I could win, but then I know for a fact I would have to then fight Kiba, and I don't really want to fight a human who reeks of dog... It's worse than a dog smelling like a dog, it's just not natural.'

"Of course we all know that. That's why he stayed behind, trying to be as much help to us as he can," Kiba said, either completely ignoring what I said, or just didn't hear me.

"Yeah..." Shikamaru agreed, a little but hesitantly. Before I heard a faint chuckle from him. "I see... So everyone too it that way. But I know better. More than me or Neji, or anyone here, Choji is the strongest."

He ran in front of us or a little bit after he said that, I think to give us some time to think about what he said, before he signaled for us to stop, but stay in the trees. After he had signalled he walked across the tree limb he was standing on to the truck, and then slashed a thick arrow in the bark with one of his kunias," he made a promise with us. He will defeat the enemy, and... He will catch up with us."

---Harmony's POV---

'Something’s... Off,' I mumbled through a cloudy head as wind ripped violently past me. The last thing I could remember was thrown down to the ground after the four freaks had ran into someone. I think my head had hit a rock on the way down because one side of it hurt more than the other. The right side of my face was really taking a beating. First punch, then hit by a rock. But it wasn't my throbbing head that sent off warning signals.

First, was that I was no longer being carried by Spider-Boy Kidomaru, but now the foul mouth Tayuya. She had it so I was slung over her shoulder, much like before. Her hair was kinda annoying because it was right in my face. 'Damn long hair. How in the world did I use to manage having it so long before?!'

Second, as I tilted my head to one side carefully, I could see that the four was now three. Jirobo was now gone, and Kidomaru was now carrying Sasuke's coffin.

Third, my vision was no longer hazy! Just slightly unfocused at times!! Ahh, I missed having my perfectly good eye-sight back. Though, the hazy-ness didn't give these three any justice. I almost wish my sight was still hazy.

Fourth, and most important, was that I could think clearly, for the most part. And the feeling of having fire in my veins was less intense. It was still painful enough for me to try and hold back my winces at everything and wish that I was still out, but it was still... Less…

It didn't make any sense. I mulled over what could have caused it when a small blue butterfly flew past. Flying in the opposite direction. I moved my head slightly to the side as I watched it past, the feeling of hope and loss tangling inside me as I watched it go. I had no clue what that meant either.

'How much time was even passed anyways?' I questioned as I let my head hang again slightly, feeling a little better from the movement, because it meant I was no longer straining my neck and causing more reason for pain to it. I closed my eyes and my hair whipped against my cheeks. I winced once again as Tayuya landed on a branch and pushed off. 'How much time left until we cross the border? Or did we already pass?' I didn't want to think of the answers for my own questions.

"Jirobou... He's late," I stilled considerably when Sakon said that. Had he stayed back or something? 'Does that mean someone is still in pursuit if these freaks? If so, I hope who ever slowed him down kicked his fat-ass ten feet underground.'

Unfortunately, Kidomaru ruined that for me by speaking up. "... Nah... He's already here."

'...Damn...' I swore when I lifted my head again, trying to ignore the inferno it starter and glared at the now re-appeared Jirobou. I don't think it looked all the impressive seeing as because the way I'm being held meant my hood had fallen down again, and I may or may not have blood running down the one side of my face. I slightly quirked an eyebrow when Jiroubou gave me a passing glance. Strange, he's hasn't done that before. He just ignored me before. And guessing how he didn't tell anyone I was awake, my hood must be covering more of my face then I thought.

"What took you so long?" Sakon demanded from him.

"Sorry..." He drawled out, looking at Sakon now, "... It took some time to take those bastards chakra away."

"You fatty don't be so slow! Hurry up and carry that coffin; that's your job. You inferior dickhead! The sooner you carry that thing the latter I no longer have to carry this fucking whore."

'OI! I am no whore! You whore!' I raged at her in my mind. I did want to test to see if my voice was working just yet, so I yet again settled for non-vocal vulgar language.