I don't own Naruto…

Here it is! We've finally gotten to the main plot. So I hope you guys are excited because I am super excited to get to this point! Also, no one has claimed the giveaway, but I'm ending it at this chapter because the answers will be revealed by the end of this chapter! Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 4: Invasion

A few hours earlier…

Two figures watched as the sun rose over the Hidden Leaf Village. The tall man spoke through the bandages on his mouth as he shook his head.

"So this is where the boy came from. This is his home. It's funny, I've never been to this village, yet I've faced countless Leaf shinobi. I'm glad I'm finally able to fight here." The young boy next to him only listened. They heard the footsteps from behind them and they turned. Their master, a white haired ninja wearing a green flak jacket approached them. They also saw the other reanimated shinobi come with him.

"I hope you're all ready for this. You all know what to do. Today, the Leaf will pay for what it did to me! Begin the attack!" All of the reanimated shinobi leapt into action. The silver haired ninja snapped his fingers and when he did, six more shinobi came forward. The two ninja stepped back into line with the rest of them. The white haired ninja looked at them and smiled.

"I have brought each of you back to life for this day. All of you know your jobs. Find your targets and kill them. Each one that falls will bring the Leaf closer to defeat. Go!"

"Yes sir, Master Kai-Ji!" They all nodded and leapt away, eager to complete their mission for their master. The boy looked at his partner, and they both knew who they were targeting. The blonde ninja would die today. The tracker-nin watched his comrade and saw the sadness in his eyes. They were under their master's control. They couldn't stop this war even if they tried.

"Zabuza, is something wrong?" The reanimated Hidden Mist Swordsmen just shook his head, and the boy could have sworn he saw tears.

"No, Haku. Everything is fine."

Back in the forest…

"Shikamaru!" Naruto threw some kunai as a distraction while Konohamaru grabbed the shadow-user and they got some distance between them and their attacker. Shikamaru's body disappeared in a cloud of smoke and there was a log in its place.

"Shadow stitching jutsu!" Black shadows sped across the forest, finding their mark in a few ninja. Shikamaru leapt down from the branch he was residing on, and saw that they were still moving. He had meant to kill them, but it hadn't worked. That's when he noticed their eyes. They were pale white, and they moved a little slower than jonin level ninja. He realized with horror quickly what had happened.

"Naruto! Konahamaru! Get out of here! Tell Lord Hokage the village is under attack!"

"No way! We aren't leaving you!"

"They aren't living ninja! Someone has cast the Reanimation Summoning Jutsu! These are probably the same guys as the ones who attacked Gaara! I'll prevent them from following you! Go!" Naruto didn't know what to do. He wanted to help Shikamaru stay and fight, but he knew that the shadow user was right. Besides, the village had to be warned.

"Naruto! I can handle them! Get out of here now!" Naruto nodded and fled with Konohamaru right behind him. Shikamaru looked at the ninja dn released his jutsu. They fell to the ground and began lurching toward him. Jutsu won't work on them. I need to actually get in close and fight them. He drew his sword and stepped forward. The ninja charged him and he cut down the first few with ease. He watched as they turned into dust, and smiled. So I can kill them, but it's a little harder than a normal human. A few reanimated shinobi drew weapons and Shikamaru found himself dodging shuriken while crossing blades with kunai. It was taking everything he had to focus on the multiple threats. He saw a kunai with an explosive tag speeding towards him. He quickly leapt away and it detonated against a tree, injuring no one.

"Well done! That was quite impressive!" Shikamaru watched as one man stepped forward, slowly clapping. He had a long black robe on, and there was a scar across his forehead. He didn't see any markings to show what village he belonged to, but Shikamaru noticed the long katana sheath from under the cloak.

"I haven't been able to fight a good swordsman in ages! I missed it a lot! And you are my next victim!" He untied his robe and let it fall. Shikamaru saw all the scars and wounds across the man's chest. He drew his own sword, and Shikamaru saw the blackened blade, with different characters written on the steel.

"The name is Hanzo Gyakusatsu. You recognize that name?" Shikamaru thought long and hard about it. It certainly rang a bell, but every battle is won or lost in the mind. Fear or anger could be deadlier weapons than any blade.

"Nope. Why? Should I know who you are?" The man just laughed, and Shikamaru began to worry about how many opponents he was facing. You can have all the power in the world, but eventually, there will be too many to focus on and one will slip your notice. And that's the one who plants the dagger in your back. He tried to formulate a plan, but suddenly Hanzo charged. Shikamaru barely had time to bring his own sword up to block the strike. They stared at each other through their deadlock, and Shikamaru noticed the man's eyes were red. He's not a reincarnation. He's a human. Shikamaru pushed against the man, and was able to gain some distance. But before he could charge forward, he had to deflect a kunai. The other shinobi attacked again, and Shikamaru had to fight them off, and pay attention to where Hanzo went. Every now and then, he would dodge the black blade as it was heading for his skull, or deflect the thrust intended for his gut. But Shikamaru was getting tired. How long have I been fighting? He needed to end this now, or at least escape. But he couldn't focus fast enough. This man and his reanimated friends were persistent, and Shikamaru had never had a fight this hard in his life.

"Fang over Fang!" Suddenly, two white vortexes appeared and scattered the shinobi. Shikamaru glanced up and saw Kiba and his canine companion Akamaru standing before him.

"You okay, buddy?"

"Yeah. You came in the nick of time, Kiba."
"Don't mention it. What's going on?"
"I don't know, but these guys are from the same group that injured the Kazekage."

"Is that right? Naruto told me to come get your back, and it's a good thing I did. I'd hate to be the guy to tell Temari you bought the farm. Naruto said he would go and bring more people here, but for now, it's the three of us. You good, or should we fall back some?" Shikamaru stood up, and drew his sword.

"I'm good. Just watch out for that guy. He's the only live one here. But he's fast, and really skilled with that blade."

"Got it. You ready, boy?" The dog barked, and Kiba pulled some food pills from his pouch, giving one to his friend before consuming the other.

"Then let's go Akamaru!"

Gaara woke up, and saw a soft pair of green eyes looking down at him. He blinked a few times, and tried to sit up, but the woman didn't let him.

"Lord Kazekage, you can't strain yourself. You've been through a lot. Please, relax." Sakura had a feeling that he was going to try to do something like that. So she sat in his room, waiting for him to wake up. She admired the Kazekage, because he was so similar to Naruto. They both grew up feeling isolated and lonely, and they both were able to find friends and become great people. Naruto was there for Gaara when he was at his loneliest, and in return Gaara was there for Sakura when she was lonely as well. For a long time, she was going through the motions of life, and there were many days where it was really hard for her. After two miscarriages and Sasuke leaving to go on his soul-searching mission, Sakura was really beaten down. Gaara had always been there for her though. He brought her flowers and took her to dinner. It wasn't romance, but a really good friendship. She didn't want another husband, she just needed someone to be there for her. Ino was there for her, but Gaara provided something different. And so when she saw him so hurt and beaten, it only pushed her to help him more.

"You s-saved me?" Sakura nodded at the man. Gaara smiled, and it warmed Sakura's heart.

"Th-Thank you, Sakura."

"Of course, Gaara. You're my friend. I'll always be here for you." They stared at each other, and both were lost looking at each other, and Gaara couldn't help but smile. Sakura handed him a glass of water, and he slowly drank it.

"Here, let me help you sit up." She slowly lifted the Kazekage, and he sat up and that's when he saw the flowers. A lot of flowers. Sakura followed his glance, and saw the collection.

"A lot of people wished you well. Your sister is coming by later to drop off more. Lee came back from a mission and he had picked you some flowers too, but there were bees still in them, so I had to throw them away." Gaara chuckled slightly, and had it been years before, Sakura would have been shocked by this seemingly simple gesture. But over time, Gaara got closer and closer to being a "normal" human. At least, as normal as one can get when compared to her friends.

"It's the thought that counts. Tell Lee I said thank you."

"I'm sure he'll be by later so you can say hi and tell him yourself. Oh, shoot! I just remembered. Lord Kakashi wanted me to alert him the moment you woke up. I'll be right back! If you need anything, call for Ino. I'll be right back, I promise!"

"Sakura!" The pink haired woman stopped at the door.

"Yes?"

"Thank you." Sakura smiled at the Kazekage.

"Anything for a friend." She waved and left the room. Despite having so many now, Gaara still felt bliss every time he heard someone say he was their friend. He looked again at the floral arrangement across from his room, and it made him so happy to know that people cared about him. They were his friends. He slowly stood up, and walked over to the table with all the flowers. There was a white rose in front of all of them, and it looked like it was the most recent arrival. He picked up a letter attached and opened it. When you read this, I'll be rally happy because it means you're able to move again. I hope you get well soon. I'm always around if you need me. Your friend, Sakura. Just reading her words made the Kazekage happy. Her happiness always made him happy. Matsuri was jealous at first, because of how close they were. She confronted the Leaf medic about it one night. Sakura informed that she wasn't romantically interested in Gaara. She admitted that she wouldn't be able to make him as happy as Matsuri did. They had been friends ever since he approached her and apologized for his actions during the Chunin Exams. She was helping him learn how to be more emotionally available and how to relate better to others, and he provided someone for her to talk to. Sakura apologized to Matsuri for making her think that she was taking her boyfriend from her, but Matsuri apologize for assuming something as terrible as that. And the two have been close friends since. Gaara heard the door open, but he kept looking at the flowers.

"Sakura, I know I should be in bed, but I had to look at them. And thank you for the note. It was really sweet of…" Gaara turned and instead of the pink haired girl, he saw Kimimaro in the doorway. He stepped inside, and closed the door behind him. His chest still hurt him, but he needed to get out of the room. Close quarters aren't his strong suit.

"Kimimaro."

"Gaara of the Sand. So apparently, you've become the Kazekage. I'm impressed."

"What are you doing here?"
"Our master wants the Hidden Leaf Village destroyed. And you along with it." The white haired man's arm twitched and suddenly a bone came out of his arm, and he held the sword out, aimed for Gaara.

"Now die!"

Sakura ducked under the blade and punched Hayate as hard as she could. Ino was busy holding off Lady Chiyo, but both of them were unable to reach Gaara's room. And they heard the sounds of fighting coming from inside. She had run off to tell Kakashi that Gaara was awake, but was stopped by two familiar people on the way to the staircase. Both of them were friendly faces in a past life, but since being revived and forced to fight for an unknown master, she had to take them on. Sakura watched as Hayate Gekko slowly rose, and brushed himself off. He charged and swung his sword again, and Sakura pulled out a kunai to block it.

"I'm sorry Sakura, but we will succeed in our mission."

"I won't let you harm him!"

"I'm not talking about Gaara. Lady Chiyo and myself have a different mission. We were sent to eliminate you." He quickly ducked down, and tripped Sakura. She hit the ground, and Hayate plunged his sword through her chest. Sakura disappeared into a cloud of smoke, and quickly sent the former Leaf shinobi flying against another wall. Before she could step forward, an armored hand quickly stopped her.

"I'll take care of him. Sakura, protect the Kazekage." Sakura looked up to an Anbu Black Ops with purple hair in front of her.

"As much as I love you, I never wished to see you again, Hayate." At the sound of his former fiance's voice, Hayate turned. He lifted his sword and crossed his blades with Yugao.

"Don't make me hurt you, Yugao."

"Why have you returned?"
"My master wants his revenge on the Leaf. He will destroy this village as it had destroyed him."

Temari raced through the town, trying to get to the school. Reanimated shinobi were attacking the village, and after fighting some of them, she needed to get to her family. She ducked as another shuriken was thrown at her, and blasted the reanimated shinobi into the air. She arrived at her destination, and saw the school was on fire. The children were running out of the building, escorted by their teachers, but the shinobi were vastly outnumbered by their undead counterparts. Iruka's clones were successfully keeping the children safe, and Temari decided to assist him. Ibiki Morino was also there, and he was currently occupied with a very different looking shinobi. This man had strange markings on his arms, as well as stitches covering them. He had light green eyes, and his face was covered by a mask. When he spoke it was with a deep voice.

"I remember this village. I wonder if this Hokage is any better than the one I fought." Ibiki was struggling to fight this man, because of the raw strength he had. Suddenly, an arm appeared from seemingly nowhere and after grabbing Ibiki around his throat, it threw him into the school building. The arm slowly retracted, attached to threads coming from the ninja's arm. After it reconnected, it sewed itself back on at the elbow, and the ninja looked at Temari.

"Who's next?"

Naruto and Konohamaru raced through the forest. They were almost at the village gates, but stopped when they heard the sounds of combat. They approached the clearing that led to the gates of Konoha, and saw Izumo and Kotetsu fighting off a large group of shinobi. Both were holding their own, while Genma was avoiding being cut in half by a rather large sword. Zabuza swung his sword aiming for Genma's stomach, but the Leaf jonin jumped away, and at the same time, Zabuza summon water clones to surround him. Genma was too busy fighting them to dodge the sword against his back, and he fell to the ground, with Zabuza standing over him.

"Now you die!" At that moment, however a large shuriken took the blade from the Hidden Mist ninja's hands, as Naruto jumped down, and after grabbing Genma, retreated to the village gates where Izumo and Kotetsu were forced to hold their ground. Konohamaru was also there, ready for a fight.

"Haku!"
"Yes Zabuza!" Haku fell back to Zabuza's position and the two groups stared at each other.

"Long time no see boy."

"I thought you were dead, Zabuza. You as well, Haku."

"Some asshole has brought us back, in the hopes of using us to crush this village. At least, that's what the other shinobi are for. Our master brought eight specific ninja back to life, with the idea that these specific eight would eliminate key players in the Hidden Leaf Village. Haku and myself were assigned to kill you."

"Zabuza is right. I'm sorry Naruto, but we must fight again." Naruto felt a few tears leave his eyes. He wiped them away, and summoned a shadow clone. He looked at the two reanimated shinobi from his past as he readied his Rasengan.

"I'm sorry you both are back. It's not right. You should be at peace. I'll return you to that place, I promise." Zabuza laughed, but it wasn't a mocking gesture.

"I'm rooting for you boy. Now, prepare yourself!" Zabuza and Haku charged forward, ready to clash with the jinchuuriki of the Village Hidden in the Leaves.

Kakashi watched as his friend was quickly defeated by the helmeted ninja. The two had entered his office and attacked him, silent the entire time. Yamato had arrived to save the Hokage, but he was out of his league. Something about the ninja with the mask was familiar to Kakashi. But where do I know him from? The other one, was fast. She wasn't as silent as her partner, and as such, Kakashi was able to figure out that she was relatively inexperienced, at least compared to the other occupants. But that didn't mean that she was harmless. She was incredibly skilled in taijutsu, as well as being quick with handsigns. Part of the office had been burned because she utilized fire style and wind style jutsu. Now, the four ninja were on top of the Hokage building, but it was only Kakashi against the two. The masked ninja was dressed in a green flak jacket, and he was wearing a helmeted gasmask. He looked at Kakashi, and finally spoke.

"Hey there Kakashi. Long time no see, buddy." Despite the mechanical sound of it, Kakashi knew there something familiar about the voice. It was a voice from a long time ago, so long ago that he had a hard time discerning who it was underneath however. That didn't make it any less haunting, and while Kakashi was unaware of who was underneath, the voice from the masked ninja was certainly an old skeleton from the copy ninja's closet.

"Surprised to see me again? Or are you still trying to figure out who I am?"

"Why are you here?"

"Because I wanted to see you again. I guess the Kazekage wasn't able to give you my gift. Ah well. I usually hate spoiling surprises, but it doesn't matter. You would have found out pretty soon either way. Do you remember your eighteenth birthday? I don't. I was already gone on that day. You had thrown me out of the village. You, of all people. What was my crime? The murder of two fellow Leaf shinobi, and you listened to the Hokage and exiled me from our village." Kakashi suddenly had an idea who it was, but he was wishing that he was wrong. However, it all made sense. Everything he had been told by Shikamaru when he was informed of Gaara's hospitalization. The man slowly plucked the different tubes from his mask, and once they were out, he twisted and the helmet came off. Kakashi saw the white hair, and the small smile on the man's face, and it confirmed his fears. The man looking back at him was almost identical to him, only four years younger.

"Ta-Tadashi? Is that you?" The ninja laughed.

"Ding, ding, ding! Give the man a prize! Only, I don't go by that name anymore! My name is Kai-Ji! Fitting, isn't it, big brother? You always were father's favorite. And I always was the inferior child." Kakashi slowly fell to his knees. He never expected to see his younger brother again. Kai-Ji just watched and smiled.

"But did that ever hurt me? No it didn't! It didn't matter that I was less, it didn't matter that I was not the golden child. Because I was happy to be by my big brother's side. Because no matter what, we always covered each other! I had your back and you had mine! We were the strongest Anbu there was! But you forced me out! You discarded me, as if I was a worthless piece of trash! Our comrades were going to betray us, so I eliminated them, and because of that, they sent you to kill me! You! Of all the people to hand down that punishment! The Friend-Killer Ninja himself! Isn't that quite ironic, my dear?" Kakashi looked at the other person on the roof, and watched as she slowly removed her hood. He recognized the purple stripes and the innocent smile immediately.

"Rin?"

Straight Damn! It's about to get real in here! So Kakashi is fighting his old squad mate and his younger brother! Also, new giveaway! Same prize as before, but the question is, what do the names Tadashi, Gyakusatsu, and Kai-Ji mean? There are hints in the story! So review with your answers, enjoy your lives, and take care everybody!