? Dark Dawn ?

Ep 18 - Counterattacks

A dragon's head erupts from the ground right underneath Orochimaru, who jumped to the side to avoid the two's attacks.

Sasuke landed on the dragon, his hand stretched out, crackling with electricity. In an instant, the Water Dragon was covered in electrical currents.

The dragon the dragon's body of water surrounds Orochimaru and eventually catchws him in its jaws. The lighting sparks intensifies as Sasuke feeds the dragon his lighting.

The intensity of the lighting shocks Orochimaru. A minute passes before the  jutsu was stopped. It left behind a tattered Orochimaru.

Naruto and Sasuke tensed when they saw the smile under the curtain of hair that sheilded his face from the pair. This is a sannin we're fighting. Naruto grit his teeth.

Not even a jutsu like that will be able to keep that man down.

I noticed.

Naruto reached for the two swords that were strapped to his waist at his back. Both were about an inch longer than a typical dagger. He crossed his arms with both swords his hands. Naruto bent his knees, ready to fight when Orochimaru recovered.

Sasuke brought out his Demon Wind Shuriken and held a stance, ready to throw the shuriken at any time.

The Orochimaru in front of them started laughing right before it broke apart and revealed a bundle of snakes, which all slithered away.

Naruto was shocked at the action, but didn't let it show on his face. Sasuke's face scrunched up. They had been fooled.

It's been a while since someone has dulled your senses...

Would you at least comment something useful for once??

You wish.

"Kura-!" Naruto said out loud, then stopped and closed his eyes. Focus.

He sent out a undetectable, thin wave of chakara all around him, attempting to sense Orochimaru anywhere.

He didn't find Orochimaru, but detected something unusual near him. Naruto fwipp d his head to stare at the source.

Of course, it was a snake.

Oi kit! Watch out!!

Kurama's loud yell slammed into his head and made him lose focus for a second. Suddenly, he felt a small jolt of pain from his neck.

Then intense pain followed. Naruto dropped to his knee.

His hand dropped the dagger it was still holding as his hand went straight to the place where the pain had started.

To his dismay, he pulled out a snake that had been latching on to his neck. He cut the snake immediately in half, then it's body dissolved into ashes. He clutched his neck as he turned to Sasuke, who seemed to be in a similar situation. Another snake writhed underneath Sasuke's hands.

Kit- you gonna be all right?

Naruto grunted. No. Something's wrong.

Kurama rolled his eyes in Naruto's mindscape. Obviously, something's wrong. But what's concerning me is that mark!

What?!

His head snapped to the spot where the snake had bitten. There was three marks on his neck, similar to the marks in a sharigan.

"You two did pretty well against my clone, though I was honestly expecting a little more from the two of you." A voice said. Orochimaru.

Sasuke was already on his knees, and holding a spot next to his neck as well, but located on the left shoulder. Naruto's was on the right.

Naruto glared daggers at Orochimaru as he shakily got up. "What the hell did you do...?" He staggered a little. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO US?!" He launched himself towards Orochimaru, disgust filling his eyes.

"I was toying a bit with you two, you see, testing your abilities.  Though from what I saw, I think I can expect that wasn't the extent of your abilities." Orochimaru mused, dodging the sliced aimed at him.

Sasuke got to his feet as well and looked around. Where the hell is that Sakura?!

Naruto stopped attacking, as the pain slowly grew. His face was glinted with sweat.

Orochimaru backed away from the clearing, licking his lips with his impossibly long tounge. "Enjoy my little parting gift, team Karaki..." he left sniggering.

Kit!

Naruto breathed heavily and then replied. This isn't good. What should I do, Kurama?

Ask the Akatsuki! They used to be aquatinted with Orochimaru, remember? They might have a clue to what he's done to you and Sasuke!

Oh yeah, I do remember. Another breath. Alright.

He turned to Sasuke. "How're you holding up, Sasuke?"

Sasuke grunted. "Not good. I feel like crap."

"Hah... Me too." Naruto dragged himself next to a tree and slumped down. Sasuke on the other side of the tree. "I'll take a nap. Won't do much harm, would it?"

"Yeah it would. People can attack in our sleep." Sasuke muttered.

The two promptly passed out.

•<>•<>•<>•
Sakura

When she heard Naruto shout, she turned straight back to where she had left Sasuke and Naruto. I'm sorry! I didn't want to get in your way! Please be ok!

She ran towards the direction where she had heard his voice. "I wish I could help somehow!" She silently whispered to herself. She cared deeply for the two boys on her team.

A minute later, she was back to the place where she had left them. Only to find them both sleeping - no - passed out.

She knelt between the two of them and she could clearly see that something was wrong. The jagged breathing and..... a mark on their shoulder. She checked Naruto first, and then Sasuke. They're burning up a bit...

She grasped her hands like a prayer. What should I do?

What can I do?

•<>•<>•<>•
A/N : Do you guys have any suggestions for the plot of this story, if you do, pls comment! ;v; I have no idea what to do oooof-

But first things first-
IM SORRY FOR NOT POSTING FOR SUCH A LONG TIME. IM SUCH A BAD AUTHOR ;V;
I was on vacation and had not time to write my story, so this story was on like a month- long hiatus. (Top it off with major writer's block)

Another thing, school's about to start where I am. I might not be able to post as often then. But I also might be possible to post even more often! I'm never certain...

Well, I hope you enjoyed this episode, and hope to see you next ep!

Word count: 1647 words

-that author you found in the dumpster