Hey everyone, well sorry for not putting in end notes last time, I think that chapter went well. The introductions are done, so chapters are going to get much longer hopefully. This chapter I will attempt to get to some action :) I'm glad that so far I'm getting nice reviews and no flames. Also if you have any questions at all, please email me, PM me, which ever, and I will gladly answer them for you. In fact I encourage questions. And without further a'do, the story.

"talking"

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"Naruto!" she screamed, a sword passing through his heart, his life giving blood draining onto the ground, the glimmer in his eyes leaving, she held him in her arms, the sword was meant for her...he looked at her and smiled weakly, "Its not your fault, Sakura-chan.. I did it because I couldn't let you die, I'll miss you..." he reached up and stroked her cheek and slowly relinquished to death's warm embrace, a look of calm upon his features "No, Naruto! You can't leave me, you can't!" she mumbled completely broken, crying against his side "You can't die, I still need you!...I lo-"

"Sakura-chan?" A blond boy materialized in front of her face looking worried.

"Huh? Where am I?" she stated confused and at the same time totally relieved that naruto was alive and well.

"Well, we are in my apartment." He said, obviously nervous. "You just fell asleep during the meeting, and I don't really know where you live, so I took you back to my place so I didn't have to wake you."

She looked at him trying to remember what had happened, thats right, it was so warm in the briefing room, her eye lids so heavy and such a great orange pillow next to her, she cracked a smile and Naruto visibly relaxed "How long was I out?"

The blonde thought for a minute, "About 7 hours or so, I didn't want to wake you, but you started tossing and turning and crying in your sleep, I was so worried."

She grinned inside, he was so funny when he got flustered...wait, funny? Maybe that nightmare shook a few things loose, she usually got mad when he acted like that, but for some reason she didn't feel angry at all, just relieved it was just dream... And hungry, really hungry "I'm up for some food, how about you?"

He chuckled heartily "You know me Sakura-chan, I'm always up for a good meal with my favorite girl."

Favorite girl? Any other time she would have punched him into next week for something like that, but she just felt too shaken up to do anything at the moment, she just rolled her eyes at the overall lameness of said statement and motioned him to follow.

Upon arriving in the food district she was surprised to see hardly any people, everyone must be frightened by the impending war, this was the quiet before the storm.

She looked at her teammate standing next to her, smiling like nothing was about to happen, but she knew him better than that, she was shocked when he answered her about acting so care-free, that he just wore a mask. Though she had always had her suspicions, she knew nobody could ever be that happy all the time, it made her sad all the same.

"Hey, Naruto, Forehead Girl! Get over here!" Shouted a familiar voice.

Ino-pig, she rolled her eyes and followed her orange beacon across the street to the little restaurant where Ino and it seemed like the rest of the rookie nine were gathered eating solemnly and who now seemed focused on the new visitors.

"We are just having a little gathering before it begins, incase we never have another chance to all be together again..." Ino's voice seemed to dull at the end, and she could see the fear there. Everything is changing, too fast for her, much too fast.

"Well are you going to sit down and eat or what? Or is the famous team seven too good to eat with little old us?" said Kiba in his usual obnoxious fashion.

Naruto was up in his face after that remark, and in a matter of seconds there was mouth battle, Sakura immediately went to stop them from tearing up the place when they both fell the ground laughing uncontrollably.

Did she miss something? Less than a minute ago they were ready to tear each other limb from limb, she felt a light hand on her shoulder. "Thats just how some people deal with the fact they may never see each one another again." A white haired man said softly watching the two.

It struck her just how real this all was, this may very well be their final goodbye to some or all of their friends. War was like that, cruel beyond imagination. Something that tears people apart inside and out.

Naruto looked up and saw the man next to Sakura. "Hey Kakashi-sensei, what are you doing here?"

"Just traveling on the path of life, and this is where it brought me, what a shame." He said with an amused expression on his face.

The next few hours were some of the most fun she could ever remember having, just reminiscing with old friends, about old fights, missions and just personal stories, towards the end everyone was showing there true emotions on their faces. Anxiety and worry were common.

When they finally departed it was late, after two in the morning at least. Naruto as always was at her side, even though she repeatedly told him to go home and sleep. But he simply said "It wouldn't be very gentleman like to leave a lady to walk home by herself." Yet another comment he would have payed for dearly for, that she just let slip, what was happening to her.

"Fine, you can walk me home, but your sleeping at your on place." She said with a sarcastic overtone, he paled and she just smiled more, not that he could see it.

When they got to her door, she said "Thanks Naruto, I think I can take it from here."

"That hurts Sakura-chan, really." He said, playfully dramatic, putting his had over his heart.

She inhaled sharply remembering the dream in dreadful clarity, "Good night Naruto." She said quietly.

Before she closed the door completely she heard him step toward the door and say "Please Sakura-chan, don't do anything that might get you killed. I don't know what I would do." He said desperately.

She gave him a small smile and he relaxed a little bit, "I won't, and the same for you, no stupid hero stuff that will get you killed." He nodded and smiled, and went off into the darkness towards his apartment.

She made her way up to her bedroom and collapsed onto her bed, she just couldn't shake this feeling, that things were going to go horribly wrong, she drifted off to sleep feeling none the better.

She woke up after a surprisingly good night rest, and looked at the clock 8:07. Wait 8:07! she had to get to the briefing room at 8:30 and still had to get a shower and get into a clean outfit.

It was 8:27 when she jumped out her window, with her hair still wet, running towards the meeting. Only 20 minutes? Thats a new record for her, but there was no time to think about that now.

She arrived right on time and sat down in her seat next to Naruto and Kakashi-sensei, no sooner had she taken her seat the Hokage began.

"Well everyone knows the situation, I will now assign squads, and squad leaders. A squad will consist of four ninja, either a Jounin or Chunin leader. And a team consisting of either Chunins or Genins. The Jounin's squad will therefore most likely have more dangerous missions. I will also be introducing to you the new General in command of Fire Country's soldiers, who will also have authorization to give missions of great importance that he may need leaf ninja for. He was the commander in the last war with Rock and is a specialist in their strategy, if you have any questions concerning their tactics don't hesitate to ask before going on your mission." The crowd of ninja were dead quiet.

She started calling out Squad leaders followed by there squads, it seemed like forever before they heard their names "Squad leader A for 3rd company is Kakashi Hatake, members of his squad are, Uzumaki Naruto, Sakura Haruno, Yamato."

That wasn't much of a surprise, though that was good. She wouldn't like being with anyone but her team, she trusted them all with her life.

Near the end after all the squads had been assigned, she said "May Kami be with you. Also, all of you, try to be safe, and give'em hell! We move out first thing in the morning towards our decided base location, you have tonight to get all of your equipment in perfect condition and say goodbye to family. Dismissed!"

All the ninja started to leave, she hadn't even thought about her family, telling her mother about any of this, about her leaving and going off to war.

She parted with Naruto and Kakashi-sensei and headed straight home to talk with her parents. When she walked in the door her parents were waiting, her mother was crying and her father looked weary, large bags under his eyes, from apparently a sleepless night. Neither of her parents were ninja, so they didn't understand anything except there only child was going to war with the same country that had caused so much carnage before. "Mom, Dad...This is my last night here, we move out tomorrow. We are heading for the Fire country and Rock country border where we will set up camp, and prepare for battle."

Her mother just cried louder and embraced her tightly, and her father looked as though he was going to be sick, he just came up and gave her a kiss on the top of the head and said "I'll miss you, be careful." And with that she went up and got all of her necessaries taken care of and went to sleep. Tomorrow was going to be an eventful day.

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The cave was dark, and smelled slightly of pine. It was always a long walk through the maze of corridors to the central chamber where the boss meditated. The light stroll felt good after nearly two days of continuous travel at full speed, not even stopping to drink. After a few minutes he arrived at the large wooden and steel doors, that lead to the meditation chamber. He stood there for a moment. Then suddenly the doors started opening, completely silent, unexpected from their enormous size. He walked in slowly and extremely carefully, he had only been in here once before, and it had been with Zetsu, the second oldest next to the boss. He saw in the center of the dimly litten room a pair of eyes appear, in a shadow. They were unfearing, old beyond measure, yet full of vitality, eyes of a man, If you could even call him that anymore, that has lived for many many years and seen unspeakable things. It gave him chills sometimes, this man in front of him, was so mysterious, only having seen part of his face once, made him slightly uneasy, it was quite hard to hide one's self so well in a group of the most notorious groups of ninja of all time. He met the bosses gaze, his red eyes showing clearly through the twilight. This man didn't even fear the sharingan, something few could boast about. "What purpose have you come for, Itachi?"

"I have news here that could very well split our organization at the seams" He stated cooly.

"Let me see your report." Came a metallic voice.

Itachi approached wearily, yet careful not to show any emotion, he handed over the folder to the boss. The man in front of him took them quickly and began reading them. This was disturbing, even though he was within arms length he still couldn't make out any features of his face, it was as though a shadow clung to his very form. Chilling indeed. His eyes suddenly widened, and Itachi felt and incredible killer intent. He struggled to keep control of his body, he tried to keep his breath's even, but failed dismally. The pair of eyes looked up at him, blood vessels clearly visible. He then looked to his right and said "I want her terminated, and Tobi disciplined."

"Yes boss." Came a detached voice.

Itachi realized it was Zetsu. His pupils constricted in shock, he didn't even feel him. He knew Zetsu's primary job was infiltration, but he hadn't realized how good he really was. It was possible that being in the leaders presence somehow distracted him from his surroundings. He would have to be much more careful, now was no time to lose his concentration. "You have done well Itachi, in coming to me and reporting this incidence, you may go and rest, and when you have adequately done so, I want you to go back to Deidra and Kisame and give them this." He handed Itachi the note. "You may now leave."

"Yes sir." Itachi said quietly, then turned around and headed to the door. It seemed to far away, all his muscles were aching now. He really should get some rest, he needed time to think. After he exited the room the killer intent get less, and less until he barely felt it. He headed off to the living quarters.

When he arrived, he sat down on the straw mat and sighed. Why would Tobi do this? Break one of the Boss's strictest rules. He had to know that he couldn't keep it secret, so why do it? The questions continued to swirl around in his mind. Why had Kisame sided with Tobi and Deidra? What was his connection is all this? This is so frustrating, He had half expected the Boss to order him to kill Tobi outright, but he guessed that wouldn't make any sense, considering they only needed two more tailed beasts, the eight tailed, whom they had no idea where it was, and the nine tailed, whom was housed in the blonde haired fool. Jiraiya was the only reason they hadn't acquired him early and kept him in captivity, now he was strong, very strong. It would be troublesome to capture and detain him now. Though Jiraiya is an impressive ninja, one of the best, with decades of experience behind him. It would do no good to sit and brood over this matter, it had been decided long ago. Yes it would be very difficult to get another member now, Tobi would have to do for the moment. Now it was time for a short sleep.

After about four hours of light sleep, if one could even call it sleep, Itachi never truly slept, he stayed on the border between wakefulness and the dream world. He got up feeling much better than he did earlier. He had regained all of his stone cold composure and concentration. He gathered his items and exited the cavern, into the forest and started on his journey back. The tree's blurred together, a familiar sight, where a clock meant nothing and he truly lost himself from both time and thought.

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The barracks was stuffy with fear and weariness, the men in there looked sick and weak. Most were sitting or laying on their mats, writing letters to their loved ones. He just sat there, taking this all in, how familiar it feels. He is no stranger to the taste of fear, though it has been such a long time, so long ago. "Troops, attention!" all of them bolted to their feet, and bowed to their squad commander "Men, you are to get your packs ready, and be in the designated area in fifteen minutes!"

Forty men in unison yelled "Hai" and bustled into commotion, a streak of relief ran through them, they no longer had to brood in their own thoughts and fears. fifteen minutes later to the second they started marching in perfect formation. Countless miles later, one could here men whistling and laughing, telling stories of past fights and women. Meanwhile, he just walks, silent, thinking heavily on the battle to come. "Hey Ko!...Kofuru!" Yelled one of his squad mates, he looked up suddenly, his deep thoughts shattered glass "What do you want Suzu?" He said annoyed.

"Oh didn't mean to interrupt your earth shaking thoughts." He said cooly, sarcasm evident in his voice.

"Yes well, you should be." He said chuckling.

"You shouldn't be so depressed Ko, its a real mood killer. Let me tell you about the greatest day of my life, it will surly lighten your mood!" He winked and flashed a grin.

"This was about ten years ago, back in my home village near the Grass and Rock border. I lived in a small home with my four brothers and three sisters and my parents. It was a nice life, we always had enough to eat, but had to go and find or build toys. I was about fifteen at the time, into mostly hunting and girls, oh how I loved the ladies. I loved one in particular, I chased after her night and day, but she always refused me, how could she with looks like mine." He flashed a smile "Well anyways, after months of rejection, finally I scored. She agreed to go out with me. It was a nice time, but I remember her eyes the most, her big blue orbs. You could get lost in them for hours. After a great night of food and talking, she confesses that she always wanted to go out with me, but was always told by her father not too, it was shocking, and I proposed to her on the spot, and guess what, she said ye-" His throat explodes with blood, his eyes bulged as he falls towards the ground.

Ko's eyes widen, pupils constricting with overwhelming shock, he looks up to see a group of 3 water ninja throwing kunai and shurikens at him and his squad mates, dead on. accuracy tearing up men left and right. He drops to the ground a fraction of a second before a blade whooshes over his head. he grips his sword, and looks up to chaos, water ninja appearing and disappearing into the forest causing mayhem. It was all over in less than a minute, but their visit evident in the devastation they left. They didn't kill many, but they caused fear, a vital emotion for the enemy to utilize. Suzu... why didn't that kunai hit him?

A few hours later after they put up camp, they were told to report to roll call, to see what casualties were. Everyone assumes their places, holes in the ranks evident like great chasms. He looked to his right and sees no one, to his left...Suzu... was empty, in front of him was filled with air, he risked a glance behind him and saw another man sized space resided there. Every man around him, had died in the attack, which made up the largest portion of men killed in his squad. He found out later that those ninja had killed about seventy-five men before being overwhelmed by friendly ninja and killed. "We will be moving out at first light tomorrow! Get some shut eye, dismissed!"

He went to sleep, very disturbed, and very sad, one of his first friends here in the army, just died right in front of his eyes, it was to much to handle, he needed the sweet release that was sleep or he might just lose his mind.

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It had been five hours and his contact was not at the appointed place, he was starting to get frustrated. How was he supposed to help his loved ones, if his contacts didn't even show up! He had been sitting in the corner drinking sake for nearly two more hours before a man wearing black came into the bar and sat down across from him "What a fine day."

"I'd rather have it rain." answered Jiraiya

"Its good to see you old friend, its been far to long for us old men to get together and talk." The man said a smile spread across his features.

"You know how much I like talking with you, but I have some critical business I need to talk with you about." He said, dead serious.

"I figured as much, I can guess that this has to do with the imminent war, I've already dubbed it Ninja world war two." He said chuckling at his lame joke.

Jiraiya gave him a hard stare that sobered his jovial mood considerably "I need to know how waterfall's politics are going, I need to know whose in power, who has influence and troop counts."

The man raises his eyebrow and smiles "Thinking about convincing a few leaders to join your side in this war? Good luck with that, my friend. They are not going to be convinced easily, but sure i'll tell you what you want to know and who you need to talk to." Jiraiya nodded and listen carefully, absorbing every word, they would all be very important a little bit later.

Several hours later they parted, the man disappearing into the night, and Jiraiya made his way to the most important sympathizer of the leaf against the Rock that he knew about. He snuck up to the window opened it quietly, with many decades of experience on his side, and jumped in. He made his way to the man's study to find him awake, doing late night paper work. He knocks lightly on the wall. "Dear just set my tea over there on the stand I'll get it in a few minutes

"I would love too, but I don't have any tea." Said the Legendary Super Pervert.

The man spun around and went to shout only to find himself against the wall with a muscled forearm pinning his throat to the wall, panic written on his face, one could taste the fear it was so thick around him, "Shhhh, I'm a friend from leaf, don't sound the alarm, my name is Jiraiya and I'm here only to talk."

The man relaxed and seemed to come back to his senses, he nods and Jiraiya releases him. He breathed deeply regaining his breath. "I'm sorry for the rough treatment, but it was necessary, so that you could not yell and cause me complications"

"I understand, but you must understand that I have many enemies that would no doubt kill me if they could, frankly I'm surprised that you even made it here, I thought my guard was heavy enough to deter most ninja, but I imagine you don't have your legendary status for nothing." He said a rye smile gracing his features.

"Well I wouldn't have snuck in here if it hadn't been necessary to do so, I need your support, and the backing of your supporters, we need you, as we're afraid that leaf may lose the war."

The man looked slightly surprised at this news "I wasn't aware that leaf was in such a dire situation, but the political atmosphere here in waterfall isn't really in ideal conditions for such support. Most want to stay neutral, and just wait out the war, as though that will happen, Rock is a brutal nation, they will make that all but impossible before the end."

"Yes I know Rock well enough from my last encounter, not the nicest nation to deal with. What kind of action will Rock have to take in order to allow the political atmosphere to change in leaf's favor?" Asked Jiraiya.

The man sat down with a cup and tea and thought a moment "Well someone greatly against getting involved with the war will have to change his mind, and that will not be easy, but I would imagine if the right person was killed it could radically shift the views of anti-war supporters."

"I see" said Jiraiya sitting down next to the man to think. A radical idea started to formulate itself in his mind. A crazy plot which required perfect timing, precise skill, and perfect cooperation. A smile settled across his face, a devious smile. "What are you thinking, Jiraiya-sama?"

Catching onto his devious face, a face that he had seen many times when politicians came up with something genius, and often illegal. He leaned over and started to quietly tell the man his daring plan, and the man starts to see exactly what Jiraiya was concocting.

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End Notes: Well this went well I think, I covered a lot of necessary points and events that needed to be covered to seed the plot adequately. :) Again if anyone has any questions just PM or post them, I will gladly answer. Also if you wouldn't mind posting any general thoughts, or impression of the story thus far, they would be greatly appreciated.

Laters...

Thank you Matt for helping me with beta copy! Yay!