It took all the willpower that Sakura and Naruto possessed to hold still in front of the forty foot Gaara, his eyes focusing in on Naruto. His gourd at first glance appeared to be missing, but upon closer inspection was found hanging down from his hip. Naruto looked behind him anxiously waiting for Shikamaru. Gaara didn't say anything as his prey held still before him. Instead, he took a step forward, the ground shaking violently under his enormous weight. Sakura was knocked onto her butt, Naruto barely able to keep his feet. Gaara then raised a hand and brought it down clearly intending to smash Naruto into unconsciousness or worse. Naruto steadied himself, intending to fight even if it was hopeless, when Shikamaru finally caught up, his own arms up to stop Gaara. Shikamaru smiled and said, "I don't think so. He's mine."

Gaara's eyes narrowed and he said, "Your a better prize anyway."

"And that's our cue to leave!" Naruto said, grabbing Sakura.

Within seconds, Sakura and Naruto had put quite a bit of distance from the other giant ninja both of which had started battling the other. Sakura glanced back and saw that Shikamaru had grabbed Gaara in his shadow. The strain showing on Shikamaru's face made it evident that he probably wouldn't be able to hold it for long. In her own opinion, Gaara was going to come out on top of this fight. She bent down from her position on Naruto's shoulder and said, "We'd better hurry Naruto! That fight isn't going to last much longer!"

Naruto nodded and increased his speed, dashing between the trees with such speed that the scenery became a blur. Within minutes, the village was rising into view. Naruto slowed down as he approached the outer limits of the village, looking for the abandoned lot where the scroll was. The only question was, would he find it?