gem's third facet/the last year

Pien had had enough of this mess. Itachi stood his ground when the trio came up on him. Pein put Konan, still unconscious down.
"Where is Diedara?" He asked irritably.
"He is dead. I killed him."
"And why would you do something so stupid?"
"Because...he had been leaking information to the leaf this whole time. Whenever we would try for the jinjurrikkii, he would do something stupid to prevent it."
"So you are calling Diedara a traitor."
"Enough, Leader." Uchiha Madera said.
"So Itachi, as you can see, our little detour brought results at least. Do you want to say Hi to your little brother? He has been awake for some time now."

Juugo walked up to Kabuto. "You have spent time with the Akatsuki haven't you?"
"I do not know what you mean."
Juugo shook his head. Kunae in hand, he held it to Kabuto's throat. "I would have no problem right now slitting your throat. Answer truthfully. It is imperative for me to know if you have any ties left with the akatsuki!."
Kabuto swallowed hard, feeling the kunae next to his adam's apple. Juugo had not activated his curse mark. He would not kill him....would he?
Juugo now laughed. "Kabuto, I do not need to kill you. Your blood dripping slowly on the ground will bring the scavengers and hunters of this area to you. The birds will be the least of your worries." As he cut the man's neck about 2 inches along his neck, missing all vital vessels but enough to produce a nice ooze.
"Karen, Suigetsu...we must go. Sasuke needs us."
Karen sighed relieved, she said,"So we go back to the leaf right?"
Suigetsu wanted to be back with Sasuke too, but now, he wondered, just how really much did Karen want to be back with him.
Juugo interrupted his thoughts, "No, Sasuke is no longer in the leaf villiage."
Suigetsu asked quickly,"Where is he then?"
"He is with the Akatsuki. We need to join him there. Now."
Kabuto watched the blood run down his neck heading for the ground. Come night fall, every wolf, cougar, and what ever else was out there seeking prey would come for him.
"I I was close to one of the Akatsuki, My master was Sasori."
"He's dead now. So you have no value in helping us find them."
Karen spoke now, wanting to leave right away. After all, Sasuke was in trouble.

Four dorsals fins were moving in a circle surrounding the shinobi. Shit thought Shikamaru.
"Temari, get up on this plank and get your leg up out of the water."
"Shikamaru, I can fight."
"Do as I say woman. Your fan is lost. Don't argue with me." Not now, he thought as he was trying to formulate a plan. He grabbed Temari by the shirt and derriere and pushed her up on the pland, holding his kunae in his mouth. He then took the knife and cut his sleeve off.
"Here, bandage your leg."
Temari reluctantly agreed, taking the sleeve piece from Shikamaru, he grabbed her hand and kissed it.
"I love you. You have to live for the boy. Understand?" She nodded, grabbed his hand, "I love you, too."
He placed the Kunae in his mouth and dove under. He saw the shark coming towards him. He slashed out and caught its underbelly deep. Blood now filled the water. He hoped the other 3 would head for the wounded one as he came up for air.
Iruka was calling now with his very being. Mother and Father would not have lied to him, would they? His namesake would come.
Suddenly the water started to churn around the group. Neji activated and tried to see what was going on in the water beneath them. Shit!!!! He yelled out, "Dolphins...At least 20 are attacking the sharks. Naruto had been sweating with his kunae in hand. The Kyuubi was shaking inside. What was it about sharks that made him this nervous? thought Naruto.
Kakashi smiled. "Iruka sensei," he gasped. "You are full of surprises. I cannot wait to hear how you got your name."

"I know the rescue boats have been sent out. I just need one to get to the last location of the Pearl. Man, the Hokage was on that boat." Genma told the Port captain.
"We are doing all that we can. Look, sir..." The Port Captain stopped in mid sentence...a commotion was on the pier. People were cheering? He turned and walked quickly to where people were gathering...Dolphins? What in the world? And they were heading to the pier trailing a raft and several people, holding onto their fins. "Quick...get the dingys and get out there to retrieve those people. NOW!"
Iruka felt the dolphin slowing. He saw the dingys heading out to where they were. He looked at the dolphin and said, "Thankyou...I guess you have repaid your debt."
The dolphin turned to face the man...he hovered perpendicular in the water, as if to say, your welcome. He nuzzled his pointed nose at Iruka's heart. Iruka stroked his head. And the dolphin was gone. Tears were falling shamelessly. As he looked at his now unconscious Hokage. He timidly felt for a pulse and relief spread across his face upon finding a strong steady pulse.