In the fire country, the village of Konohagakure was listless…
.x.
In the fever dreams of Rock Lee, the spirits were rising; crying… screaming… living. They rejoiced in the battles of blood spilt and honor binds.
Hyuuga Neji narrowed his eyes at the stars. The fates seemed to be dancing and the sky was alight with power. A prophecy was coming to pass, and Konohagakure was involved.
Tenten paused in the cleaning of her blades, the metal singing beneath her questing fingertips. Strength, the metal sang; strength and compassion.
Chouji smacked his lips and frowned as his dream of his utopia abruptly vanished; a serene forest was calling to him, whispering of promises kept and life abounding.
Ino sighed in her sleep, the dreams of rivalry and pain smoothing out into the dreams of flowery fields and whispering winds. But the winds tonight were more fervent, insisting on the life giver and the sacrifice.
Nara Shikamaru stopped his movement in his dreams, the shadows there not still as they should be. He paused to glance at it in wonder, the shadows were talking. They were not telling their usual secrets; no, this was of a growing presence and a coming to power.
Inuzuka Kiba sat up from his sleep, immediately into the waking world. The family pack was howling; telling of the creation birth and a balance of influence.
Aburame Shino barely showed emotion when his insects stilled their movements and seemed to pause in awe. They quickly returned to their excited state; buzzing about prophecies made and actions taken.
Hinata Hyuuga's brow creased in her meditative stance, the serene flow of energy she had been coaxing was shifting abruptly into a chaotic but soothing mess; exulting in power revealed and spirit protected.
Uchiha Sasuke abruptly turned over in his sleep, dreams once plagued by ambitions and vengeance oddly stilled. A lilting voice echoed through the cavernous darkness, whispering of things to come and things that be.
Haruno Sakura twisted in her sleep, sweat beading on her brow with the exertion of her nightmare. Suddenly she stilled and a confused smile stretched her mouth; the mirrors were shining a message -A message of things finally coming to pass and strength coming at last.
Tsunade-hime, Jiraiya-sama, and Orochimaru all looked up from their posts- no matter where they were. A familiar power was commencing, and secret smiles played across their faces. Comfort, belief, power: this being was the one thing they all respected. This being was something they could never achieve.
.x.
One Uzumaki Naruto sat up in his bed. The night had stilled and the air was humming. Uzumaki walked out onto his porch, taking a deep breath and furrowing his brows in contemplation. The air was cool. A coolness that clung to his skin and moved through his bones making him shiver in anticipation. The air was abuzz with whispers and the forests and animals of the fire country were ablaze with tales. Something was coming.
.x.
… In the forest surrounding Konoha, before the gargantuan gates were even in view, a lone figure walked sedately and like the breeze left no trace of the passing. The moon guided the being along the path and a lively tune escaped shadowed lips. The whistling abruptly stopped as the form drew in a deep breath and turned its face into the breeze. A gusty sigh escaped the figure's mouth, "I'm back."