The Pact

-Of Counterattacks, Shocking Revelations, and Seals-

"Naruto, get out of here! What are you thinking? You don't know what you're up against! Hurry! Go now while you still can!" Sasuke yelled, locking eyes with the blond for a moment.
Naruto looked away from Sasuke and towards the two females of the team, taking in their appearance as well. Both Sakura and Amaya were scuffed up and exhausted, though the former was much more vocal at his sudden appearance.
The Grass nin smirked up at him. "So, Naruto, you managed to escape from my friend. We'll done." She said, causing the blonds eyes to narrow.
'Hmm... I get it. So that wasn't just any ole random giant snake attack. The snake was sent by her! Or.. it.. or whatever this demon is.' Naruto thought to himself, locking eyes with the Grass nin.
Sasuke clenched his fist. 'He doesn't get it. He doesn't know what he's dealing with! What do I do?'
"Okay, okay, I don't know what's going on here, but you've been picking in my friends and I don't like that! So, you just better slither on back into your hole, snake lady, before I make a pair of shoes out of ya!" Naruto said, staring down at the Grass ninja that was still wrapped around the branch.
'Huh?! Little idiot! He's just gonna get all four of us killed! I've got to do something... But what?!' Sasuke thought to himself, staring around the area frantically.
Sakura looked briefly over at Amaya, who wobbled slightly as she stood, and then back to Sasuke. Fear and worry filling her stomach as she noticed the boys slight trembling. 'Sasuke...'
Sasuke looks back to the Grass ninja. 'It's no use... There's only one way.' He thought to himself, deactivating his Sharingan. "You can have it!" He called out, gaining everyone's attention.
The Grass ninja hummed and pushed herself up onto her hands. Watching as Sasuke reached into one of his pouches to retrieve the scroll.
"The scroll, right? That's what you want? All right then, take it and leave us in peace." Sasuke elaborated, making his teammates eyes grow wide.
"Wha-- Sasuke! Are you crazy or what? We're just gonna hand over the scroll to the enemy?! No way! What's wrong with you?!" Naruto asked, glaring down at the Uchiha.
Sasuke glared back just as fiercely. "Shut up and stay out of it!"
Naruto gave an indignant squawk in response. "What?!"
Amaya's eyes narrowed as she stared up at the Uchiha. 'He's obviously panicked... Sasuke would never do something like this... He's too stubborn.' She then locked her eyes on the Grass ninja, whose body resembled that of a noodle. 'And what the hell is up with her?! She's way too strong to be a simple Genin...'
The Grass ninja lets out a small laugh. "Very wise... Very sensible. Sometimes the helpless prey, if they are to save their own skins, would realize that their only hope is to distract the predator with something even more precious."
Sasuke looks down, his bangs shadowing his eyes as he tossed the scroll. "Take it." He said, prompting Naruto to act.
Naruto jumps from the branch he stood on and grabbed the scroll before the Grass nin could even reach for it. Pushing off another tree, he lands between the two, tucking the scroll inside his pouch.
Sasuke scowled. "Stop playing the damn hero! Just stay out of this and leave it to me!" He yelled angrily.
Naruto doesn't look at the Uchiha, however, that doesn't stop him from letting out a yell of his own as he punched Sasuke in the face, sending the ravenet flying off the branch.
Sasuke, mid fall, juts his hands out and flips himself up right onto another branch. Wiping the blood from his mouth, he glowered down at the blond. "Stupid fool! You don't know what you're doing!"
Naruto shook his hand slightly and glared up at the Uchiha. "I may not know the password... But I know who I am! You're the one I'm not so sure about. How do we know you're who you say you are?"
Sakura looked up at the blond in disbelief and slight anger. "What do you mean? It's him! Don't be so stupid!"
"He was with me the whole time, Naruto..." Amaya added, staring at the blond confused.
Sasuke's eyes went wide before narrowing into another scowl. "What sort of nonsense is this?! It's me, you loser!"
"Liar!... LIAR! You may look just like him, you may sound just like him, but there's no way you're the Sasuke I know! I don't care how tough a fight you've been through! Surrendering? Giving up the scroll? When did Sasuke become a coward?! You keep saying I don't understand what's going on, but I do! You've choked, that's what it is!" Naruto spat, his fist clenching as he stared up at the ravenet.
Amaya felt pride swell in her chest for the boy's quick callout, and if it were any other situation, she would've laughed. "Guys we shouldn't be fighting each other..." She said, trailing off as she made eye contact with the Grass ninja, shivers going down her spine at the woman's expression.
The nin let out a laugh, reverting everyone's attention back to her. "Sad, but true." She comments, pulling up the sleeve of her shirt to reveal a seal like marking. "It doesn't matter. As far as the scroll goes... I can simply kill you and take it!" She adds, biting her thumb hard enough to draw blood before running it down the seal.
Naruto pulls out a kunai and runs toward her. "Let's see you try it!"
Sasuke stepped forward, his eyes widening slightly. "Don't! Naruto, no!" He yells, right as the blond jumps into the air to attack.
'Forget Sasuke, I'm gonna have to do this myself!' He thought, readying himself to bring down his kunai.
The Grass nin then made a hand sign. "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" She said, followed by a large gust of wind and a cloud of smoke as a giant snake appeared with her standing on its head.
The wind blows Naruto back, and Sasuke, Sakura and Amaya have to shield their eyes as branches and trees are splintered from the force.

-Meanwhile-

"That is no way to treat a Buddha." Mozuku, a Chunin with dark hair obscured by his bandanna like headband and glasses, grunts from his spot next to Izumo, who stood a little ways behind Kotetsu.
"What do ya think? Some kind of Ninjutsu, isn't it?" Izumo asked, sending a curious glance to his fellow Chunin.
"Well, whatever it is... it's a problem." Kotetsu replied from his spot next to one of the corpses.
"Hm.."
Kotetsu sighed, reaching up to rub his head as he spoke. "Just when things were running so smoothly. What a drag... We've gotta report this."
"I sent for Minamoto-sama earlier, Kou and Kurai should return with him soon..." Izumo informed, looking around the area for the twins and their father.
Kotetsu nodded and turned back to the bodies. "Go get the proctor." He ordered at last, earning a nod in response.
"Right." Mozuku replied before leaving to find Anko.

***

"Mh-mmh, nothing makes dumplings go down like a little sweet red bean soup." Anko said, relaxing on her perch as she took a sip. "Ahh~, Nice." She sighs, taking a bite of another dumpling. "Guess it's about that time! Soon as I finish this little snack, I'll see how the kiddies are doing. The quicker ones will be finished soon. I suppose I'll just wait and greet them at the tower." She mused, finishing off her dumplings before throwing the stick at a nearby tree, completing the symbol of Konoha she was working on. "There! A perfect Leaf Village symbol."
Suddenly, a loud pop sounded, followed by a cloud of smoke. Looking down slightly, Anko spotted Mozuku crouching before her. "Pardon, ma'am. There's been a problem." He informed, looking up at her as he waved a few papers in his hand.
"Hm? What sort of problem?" Anko asked, still chewing a dumpling.
"Corpses ma'am, three of them!"
Anko sighed, "C'mon, I'm trying to eat here..."
Mozuku sighed and looked up at her with a serious expression on his face. "I think you'll want to see them. There's something strange about them."
Anko raised a brow. "Besides being dead?"

By the time Mozuku and Anko arrived at the scene, Kenji and the twins were there, with the former observing the sight.
Kenji turned his head and his eyes locked with Anko's. "Anko-san... Come, tell me what you make of this." He calls, turning back to the body at his feet.
The female walked forward, her eyes going wide as she took in the three corpses appearance. "I went through their belongings, found their identification. Ninja from the Hidden Grass Village, all three of them were registered for the Chunin Exams. They weren't just killed..." Kotetsu said from behind, staring down at the disturbing scene before them.
"All of their faces... They're gone..." Anko murmured, a lump forming in her throat as she clenched her fists.
Kotetsu sighed, "Yeah, there's nothing where their faces used to be, like they melted off or something."
Anko brought a hand of to her neck, rubbing a certain spot with her fingers. 'No doubt about it. This is his jutsu. Why is he here? What's he doing at the Chunin Exams?!'
Kenji tracked her movements with knowing eyes before making eye contact with Anko who nodded. Looking back to the dead female at his feet, he couldn't help but scowl. 'Heh... Looks like Mitsuko's senses are as sharp as ever... But why is he back in the village? What is he after?'
Anko spins around and looks at the five males behind her. "Okay! I need photos of what these three used to look like! Where are their ID's?!" She asked, causing Mozuku to scramble forward with the papers in his hand.
"Right here, ma'am."
Anko looked down at the identification papers, the first one of the pile catching her attention immediately. 'Shiore...' She read, her eyes widening as realization hit her. 'So this is the face he stole... Had it already happened when...?'

'"I was just returning your knife."'

'"Why thank you, Grass Ninja."'

Anko spun around and faced the Chunin behind her. "We've got big trouble! Okay, get moving, tell the Hokage what's happened here! And while you're at it, tell ANBU Black Ops they better get a couple of convoys to the Forest of Death! Meanwhile, I'm gonna head in after these guys..."
Kenji sighed, his brows pinched in worry for a certain brunette. "I'll speak with the Hokage." He said, earning a nod from Anko before turning to Kou and Kurai. "Find Toshiaki and tell him to get his team together, it's their day off, but we need every man we can get."
"Now go!" Anko ordered, and the five set off.
Anko rubbed the spot on her neck once more. 'He's come... He's here in the Hidden Leaf Village.'
Kenji turned to her. "He may be looking for a new vessel. And we can only pray he doesn't get his hands on a strong Kekkei Genkai or bloodline trait. Make sure none of those Genin are harmed."
Anko understood the underlying message in that statement. "Of course, Minamoto-sama." She replied, and with that, he turns and leaves to speak with the Hokage.

A panting Naruto looks up at the nin and her snake summoning, as she laughed. "What a tasty little meal you'll make for him. Careful, he likes to play with his food." She informs, right as the snake whipped its tail, breaking the branch Naruto stood on, sending the blond flying up into the air.
"Naruto!" Amaya, Sasuke, and Sakura found themselves screaming in unison, watching as the blond hits the bottom of a branch harshly, the impact causing him to cough up blood.
Sasuke feels his heart thud painfully in his chest as the nin laughs. "Enough playing. Finish him off." She orders, prompting the snake to open its mouth, hoping to catch Naruto as he fell.
Naruto's eyes open, his once blue eyes now a blood red with a slitted pupil. Flipping himself upright, he aims a kick at the snake's face. "Eat this!"
The nins eyes widen as she noticed the blond's eyes. "But how?! It's impossible!"
They all watch as Naruto lands hit after hit on the snake's face. "Look at him... He's going nuts... Whoa, where did he get that kind of power all of a sudden?" Sakura murmured, glancing over to Amaya whose eye were narrowed.
'Those eyes... Its just like when fighting Haku. This could get ugly, Sakura and Sasuke don't know about the Nine Tails... If that seal breaks, we're all screwed.' Amaya thought to herself, remembering the sheer power that Naruto possessed and what her father discussed with her a week or so before.

-Flashback-

"Amaya." Her father called out, making her pause in her game of shogi with Toshiaki.
"Yeah, Papa?" The brunette asked, looking up after placing a piece on the board, the move causing her brother to whine loudly.
"I need to talk to you about your mission to the Land of Waves." He replied, earning a nod in response.
Reaching over, she gave Yoshi a small rub between his ears, earning a yip in return, and stood. Looking up at a Toshiaki she grinned. "I win this round, Toshi-nii!" She said before walking towards their father, leaving her brother behind to fanboy over the nickname.

Amaya stepped out of the living room and followed her father down the hall, towards his office. Once they were inside, she took a seat as her father sat in his chair. "So, what did you want to know?" She asked, tilting her head slightly.
Clearing his throat, her father leaned forward on his arms and folded his hands together. "Kakashi told me about Naruto's seal weakening. He said that you and Sasuke were with him and witnessed it first hand, correct?"
Amaya nodded. "Yeah, we were fighting Zabuza and his "apprentice" Haku... Sasuke was unconscious due to taking a blow for Naruto, though we thought he was dead." She informed, taking a deep breath before continuing. "Naruto just... lost it. Papa, I've never seen anything like it! His entire appearance changed so drastically!"
Kenji's eyes narrowed slightly. Glancing at the oak desk before him in thought before looking back up to his youngest. "How did he change?"
Amaya's brows furrowed, looking down to her hands as she remembered. "It was.. animalistic. His eyes turned red as blood and his pupils were slit... The whisker markings on his cheeks were more profound as well, and his nails turned into claws... It was like watching him transform into another thing entirely. He wasn't really Naruto anymore at that point." Looking back up at him as she rubbed her hands on her thighs, she let out a sigh. "The most noticeable thing was the change in his chakra. You could see it. It was a bright reddish-orange.. and you could feel the malicious intent, it was so.. evil."
Kenji stared at his daughter for a long moment. Kakashi had told him that he believed that Sasuke and Amaya's wounds were what caused the blonds rage. Amaya had told the Jounin, when asked, that Naruto never directed his attacks towards her, that he seemed to be in complete control of himself though not at the same time.
"Papa? Why are you asking about this now? It happened a few weeks ago..." Amaya asked, snapping him from his thoughts.
Kenji rubbed a hand down his face and then ruffled his hair. Standing up from his chair, he walked over to a locked box sitting on a shelf. Pulling out a key from his pocket, he unlocked it, revealing a multitude of scrolls inside. Riffling through them for a moment, he spotted the familiar faded scroll with the Uzumaki clan symbol on it.
Walking back over the desk, he laid the scroll down and retook his seat. And at her confused expression, he elaborated. "You two are close and are always around each other even if you're not on missions. I've discussed this with Lord Hokage and he agreed with me."
"About what?" Amaya asked before he could continue, earning herself a chuckle in return as she stared between him and the scroll anxiously.
"There may be times when Naruto can't control himself, and if that happens and the seal were to break, the repercussions could be dire. The Minamoto, as you know, do not practice sealing jutsu often, it's quite rare. Though the Uzumaki did." He began, gesturing to the scroll. "There are very few who could still seal the fox, have there ever be a need for it. And I believe it's best if you be one of those people."
Amaya stood quickly and slammed her hands down onto the table. "Wait, wait, wait. What? I don't think I heard you correctly?" She said, laughing nervously.
Kenji sighed, looking up at her with a stern expression. "I know that this could be a big responsibility. And you won't master it right away... But I would feel better, and I'm sure Naruto would, if you were there to handle it if things get out of control. Hokage-sama agrees that it would be best for someone who cares not only about the well being of the village, but for Naruto's best interests as well, to do this. You fit that description."
Amaya sunk back into her chair and stared at the scroll. Thinking back to the amount of power Naruto had, despite the seal remaining intact. Taking a deep breath, she felt her resolve strengthen. Looking up at her father, she gave him a determined look as she nodded. "Fine. I'll do it... For Naruto."
Kenji couldn't help but smile at that. "Very well. We'll start your Fuuinjutsu training tomorrow." He said, watching as she gripped the scroll tightly.

-Flashback End-

'Saa~ I've barely even managed to use simple storing seals... I couldn't stop him if I even tried!' Amaya thought to herself, puffing her cheeks out as she focused back on the fight at hand.
Naruto jumped back from the snake before lunging once more. However, before he could even get close, the Grass ninja opened her hand and blew, sending out a large fireball that engulfed him completely.
The trio's eyes widen as they watch the blond fall. He crashed through multiple weak branches before landing harshly on his back.
"That fire in his eyes! There's no mistaking it!" The Grass nin exclaimed, staring at Naruto with interested eyes. 'Oh, things have gotten very interesting!' She thought before focusing back on Sasuke. "Now then, lets see how well you do, Sasuke."
Sasuke stared at the nin as she and her snake moved closer, his heart beating faster and faster.
"Sasuke!" Sakura cried out, only becoming more concerned as the Uchiha let out a yell.
"Move dumbass!" Amaya yelled, becoming slightly surprised at the ravenets level of fear.
Sasuke's cry sent Naruto into action once more. The blond moved quickly and jumped between Sasuke and the snake, slowing the reptile down as he dug his heels into the bark, all the while of stabbing it in the face with a pair of kunai.
Silence falls over them all as they all stare at Naruto's panting form. "Hey kid... Not hurt are ya?" He asked, looking up at Sasuke with glaring red eyes. "You scaredy cat!"
Sasuke stared back with wide eyes. 'Naruto...'
"Standing there frozen, like a frightened rabbit! No way! You're not the Sasuke I know!" Naruto spat, his expression turning into one of disgust as a tongue wrapped itself under his arms and around his chest, pulling him up.
Amaya's couldn't help but deadpan as she saw that the tongue belonged to the Grass ninja. "Seriously?" She mumbled, looking over to Sakura who was just as grossed out.
'Extraordinary... So, the Nine-Tailed brat lives...' The Grass nin thought to herself, making a hand sign as her tongue brought the blond closer. "I see... When your anger is roused, some of the Nine-Tails chakra is released." She mumbled, wrapping a hand her wrist as small purple flames appear on her fingertips. "What an interesting childhood you must've had."
The tip of her tongue then moves to lift his jacket, revealing the seal mark on his stomach. "The spell that seals him within you has appeared on your skin!" She exclaimed in awe.
Amaya's eyes narrowed. 'Those flames... Isn't that a--?' Her thoughts stop abruptly as realization washes over her. "NO!"
The brunette ran forward, in hopes of reaching the blond in time, but was too slow as the Grass nin brought her hand back before slamming it into the boy's stomach. "Gogyō Fūin!"
Naruto cries out in pain, his eyes slowly reverting back to their natural blue as he falls unconscious. "Sasuke! Hurry! Do something!" Sakura yelled as she watched the blond go lax in the nins hold.
'For twelve years the seal has remained unbroken. Soon the demon's chakra and the boy's will be as one.' The nin thought to herself as she reached into the blond's pouch, claiming the heaven scroll as hers. 'But for now, he's just in my way.' She thought, using her tongue to throw the unconscious blond to the side.
'No way he'll survive that fall!' Sakura thought to herself before gritting her teeth together. "Hang on!" She yelled, throwing a kunai at the blond, pinning him to a nearby tree by his jacket.
By this point, Amaya landed on the same branch as the Grass ninja, the look on her face earned her a laugh from the nin. "What's this? You want to avenge your friend?" The nin asked, however instead of a verbal reply, Amaya responded with a swift and harsh kick to the stomach, sending the nin back a few feet.
This only cause the nin to laugh momentarily. "I thought those from the Minamoto Clan were supposed to be level headed and tranquil?" She commented before charging forward, the two entering in a fierce Taijutsu battle.
Eventually the two switched to weapons, and with each swipe, Amaya was becoming frustrated as the nin was proving to be quite agile. Amaya went for another kick in the abdomen, but to her surprise, her foot was caught, and she was sent flying to the trunk of the tree.
Amaya slowly stood with a slight cough, whipping the blood from her mouth, she charged again. This time their kunai's clashed, the sound resonating throughout the area. "Such a foolish girl." The Grass nin mocked, causing the brunette to growl in response and attack again. However, the nin was too strong, and quickly overpowered her before stabbing her in the shoulder with the kunai.
Amaya let out a cry of pain and backed off, though before she could do anything she was once again kicked back into the tree's trunk. The blow itself took her breath, putting her out for the count.
Sakura watched the two with wide eyes before snapping her head toward Sasuke. "Sasuke, what is wrong with you?!" She exclaimed, her voice full of worry as the boy stayed quiet. 'Sasuke...?' When he didn't move or make a notion that he heard her, Sakura narrowed her eyes. "Okay, say what you like about Naruto! That's he's a pest, that he gets in the way! That he's just a kid! But at least he's doing something! At least he's no coward!" She yelled, glancing back to the struggling brunette above her. "Are you just gonna stand there and let Amaya fight alone?! She needs our help!"
Sasuke flinched at her words as he thought back to what his brother told him the night he murdered their entire clan. Closing his eyes tightly, he gritted his teeth together. Jerking his head back up, he opened his eyes, revealing his Sharingan. "No!"
Sakura smiles slightly as she took in the boy's expression. "That's more like it."
The Grass ninja turned away from Amaya, who she had now cornered against the tree. Humming as she locked eyes with Sasuke. 'I think I'll play with him a little. And learn the full extent of his powers.' She thought before regarding the wheezing brunette behind her. 'I'll deal with this one once I've had my fun.'
The snake summoning dispersed, leaving the smirking Grass nin and serious Sasuke to face off.