A/N: Hooray – I've managed to scrabble up another chapter, and in just a week! (dances around)

But, before getting to it…

WOW! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for those AMAZING reviews – I just can't believe a chapter of mine would get THAT many comments, let alone positive ones! (hugs you TIGHTLY) The responses to each and every single one of them can be found from underneath the chappy. (If yours is missing, let me know!)

But now, FINALLY, here's November. To be honest, now that the story-line's developing, I'm growing more and more insecure as to how this one's turning out. (swallows thickly) I hope this didn't turn out to be horrible!

November

During the almost three weeks that'd passed from Jiraiya's funeral, Sasuke and Naruto had gained a certain routine. (Partly because Sasuke wanted Naruto's mind off of the loss.) Every morning – six thirty sharp – they'd meet at the training-grounds, and spend exactly two hours training.

No matter how much (and loudly) Naruto had protested against the early waking ups, inwardly he secretly enjoyed this time they spent together. It'd freaked him out at first, but later he'd reasoned that after thinking your best friend was dead, it was quite acceptable to like their company (beyond everything else, he almost dared to admit to himself).

" Dobe, if you don't even bother trying, why the hell did you show up?" Sasuke's growl – as well as a heavy punch that sent him flying – forcefully crashed him back into reality. " Wake up, before you'll end up getting broken bones!"

Scowling and muttering curses under his breath, he pushed himself up into a sitting position, sending the raven (who was stood nearby with a annoyed expression, arms folded) a glare. " Damnit, bastard! A girl does NOT punch like that!"

Sasuke's left eye begun to twitch. " Do you want me to hit you for real this time?" Then, the raven gave a heavy sigh and rolled her eyes, holding out a hand. " C'mon, let me help you up. We won't be able to do any training with you sitting down."

But oh, Naruto wasn't about to let his friend get away with this quite so easily. He gave the raven a mischievous grin, then – before the other could do more than arch a suspicious eyebrow – pulled Sasuke down, and rolled so that the surprised (and pissed) girl was pinned securely underneath him.

He could actually hear Sasuke seething. " You idiot…!"

He gave a toothy grin. " What? You don't like the taste of your own medicine?" It wasn't until then he realized the sensations whirling inside him, noticed the surging and twirling Sasuke's warm, surprisingly soft body underneath his was causing. Despite all resistance, his eyes nearly bulged out when he felt a extremely uncomfortable, and very, very much unwanted tension begin to appear. Before he could stop it his face went beat-red. " Oh crap…!"

Sasuke's face gained a clear murderous intent. " Get OFF me, idiot, NOW!"

Despite all pulsating and terrifying new emotions, Naruto managed to grin sheepishly while he rapidly distanced himself from the raven, allowing her to get up. " Heh, sorry 'bout that… I… suppose I got a bit carried away."

Sasuke rolled her eyes. " You think?"

Naruto, however, barely heard her, because his messed-up mind was filled with something entirely different.

For at that moment – as he watched the raven get up in a fluid motion and clean her clothes from grass, pale rays of sun playing in her long hair and onyx eyes – what'd been obvious to everyone else for a very long time finally cleared to him as well. Sasuke Uchiha was now a girl, nothing could change that. And… No matter how much it horrified him, how much he would've wanted to rid such a thought, he couldn't stop himself from wondering if now, something more than friendship could exist between them…

¨

Sasuke had never been accused of having a poor vision. That's why her sideways-glance immediately caught Naruto's stare. A dark tug tormented her chest.

Damn you, dobe.

She'd never been a fool enough to think distancing Naruto from her would be easy, especially after Jiraiya's death. But clearly, it'd now be thousand times harder and more painful than she'd feared.

Fortunately, those thoughts vanished when her attention caught something else. Her dark eyes narrowed when she noticed a smallish figure that was covered by a black hood emerge from a nearby forest, then calmly cross the field ahead them, most likely not even noticing them.

" Naruto", she hissed barely audibly.

Alarmed by her voice, Naruto glanced towards the same direction. Blue eyes hardened and flashed when spotting the figure. " What are we gonna do? Should we attack?"

She shook her head, feeling something overpoweringly strong – chakra, perhaps? – spreading from the figure. This intruder wasn't someone they should attack mindlessly, even together. " We'll better keep an eye on that one", she whispered, preparing herself. " C'mon."

Naruto responded with a nod.

Suspicion and alertness written all over their faces, they started following the figure.

Kakashi's eyes were focused on the book in his hand as he walked slowly through the small alleyway nearby his home, thoughts working on everything else but his surroundings.

He really should've been more careful. Because before he felt more than a ominous tingle on his skin, a sharp knife (far longer and sharper than a ordinary kunai) was placed firmly and skilfully against his throat. " You've really gotten rusty, Scarecrow", a voice told him. The blade squeezed an inch tighter. " It'll be the death of you."

Shikamaru (who'd shocked himself with waking up much too early) had just found a particularly good cloud-gazing spot from a rooftop, when his activities were cut by a unexpected appearance. He frowned when noticing Temari stood beside the ladder that lead to the roof. " Now what are you doing here?" He then shivered a bit when a horrifying thought floated in. " Does Gaara know you're here?"

Some irritation appeared into the blonde's eyes. " Yeah." She started climbing up, and was soon sitting next to him. " But don't worry, I told him I've got a mission – you know, the good old excuse."

That calmed him, but only a little. With that redhead, he definitely wasn't about to take any chances. " Are you sure he doesn't…?"
He could hear Temari growl. " He – doesn't – know, okay? He's busy with his duties and trying to shake off all those nasty rumours concerning he and one of his female-students. But I didn't come here to talk about my brother – I have something important I need to tell you."

Suspicion, perhaps even worry, swelled inside him. Temari had always been… well, a little rough around the edges. But usually she wasn't this harsh. " What's wrong?" he demanded.

He saw her take a deep breath, as though preparing to hold it for the next decade. " Do you remember that… particular night? You know, after your birthday-party?" Did her voice just shudder an inch? " Well, apparently, it had some… consequences."

For a genius, he certainly clicked slowly. When he finally did, his eyes practically popped out. " Oh… Shit…"

" Yeah, exactly." Temari's eyes flashed – with panic, anger, annoyance or a mixture of all those, he wasn't sure. " I'm pregnant."

At that moment, only one coherent thought fit into his head, which was suddenly spinning in a mad speed.

This was definitely the most troublesome thing he'd ever encountered.

Almost ten minutes must've passed by before he managed to wheeze. " Wh… What are we going to do?"

" I don't have a flaming clue of what you're gonna do, but I'm having a baby." Her eyes were stern, yet held some carefully hidden fear he failed to notice at the time, when glancing towards him. " With or without you."

Still in a panic, he didn't manage to think clearly. His eyes held terror as he spoke the last words he should've uttered. " Temari, you've gotta be kidding me! You're only seventeen, I'm sixteen, and we're both ninjas – there's no way we'd be able to handle a baby! And what about our families? They'll kill us when they find out! And…!"

The dangerous, or fair enough, murderous look that rose to the girl's face effectively silenced him. Her voice dripped with ice and venom as she pushed herself up and spoke. " I should've known better than to expect a positive, sensible reaction from you." She started to climb down the ladder, much faster than would've been safe. Just before she was out of earshot, she spoke once more. " You know what, Nara? Since that's the way you feel, do all us three a favour and stay the hell away from us." And so she was gone.

It was at that moment Shikamaru finally realized what he'd done. Listing all the curses he could possibly come up with (along with some new ones) he slapped a hand against his forehead. " Oh shit…"

He'd just made the biggest mistake in his entire life. And knowing Temari, it'd take long before he'd get to fix it – that is, if she'd ever give him a opportunity to.

In the meantime, Sasuke and Naruto – having stayed on the mysterious intruder's tracks with jumping from a rooftop to another – caught up with their target. Finding the figure threatening Kakashi, their faces gained steely expressions as they prepared to defend their former sensei.

" What the hell do you think you're doing?" Sasuke snarled, eyes obtaining a red colour as Sharingan activated obediently. " Show your face!"

Gradually, the hood was removed – and they were revealed a rather beautiful, amused face of a woman in her mid-twenties. Her about shoulder-length plait – which was ivory-white, apart from two black stripes decorating the front – flowed a bit as she turned her head to look at them with her fierce, brown eyes that held clear touches of gold and red. " Well hello there", she greeted.

Sasuke's hand moved swiftly to her kunai, whereas Naruto narrowed his eyes at the woman, pointing at her with one finger. " Who the heck are you? Take that knife away from Kakashi-sensei, do you hear me!"

To the teens' surprise, the woman smirked with growing hilarity. Her knife – which seemed far sharper than those they saw in Konoha – was, however, removed from Kakashi's throat. " Naruto Uzumaki. You've certainly grown up from the last time I saw you."

Naruto's eyebrows furrowed. " How can you know my name?"

" Because she's a Konoha-ninja. ANBU-member since she was fourteen", Kakashi revealed, seeming like he'd been smirking underneath his mask.

Both teens' eyes widened.

" I suppose we should do proper introductions", the woman stated. " My name is Aika Hideko. I apologize for startling you."

It wasn't until then the teens noticed just how short Aika was – at least a good head away from Kakashi's height. On her she had black pants and a sleeveless, purple shirt. She seemed far more fragile than the teens had been expecting, but neither dared to let their guard down.

Naruto seemed confused, perhaps even doubtful. " I don't remember ever seeing you around here."

Something close to sadness passed through Aika's eyes. " I've been… away, on a mission, for the past six years." Her eyebrow rose with extreme surprise when she noticed Sasuke's eyes, which were still glowing red. She obviously recognized, but instead of asking a thing, she spoke something else entirely. Her eyes turned more harsh. " But now… I'll better go to Tsunade – she's been waiting for me for quite a while already."

" No way – we're coming along!" Naruto's eyes were flaming. " I'm not letting some… trespasser meet Baa-chan alone, even though Kakashi sensei knows you."

Aika gave a deep sigh of defeat. With just one glance, she knew there was no room for objections.

In Konoha-hospital, Sakura and Ino (who'd been working all night long) both gave deep sighs of pleasure when finally – first time in several hours – getting a chance to sit down. " Am I imagining things, or is every single ninja in this damn village injured today?" Ino whined, stretching her sore muscles.

Sakura smiled faintly, tentatively massaging her throbbing forehead with two fingers. Gosh, she couldn't wait for her shift to end – for a chance to get to spend a day with him. " Only two more hours", she reminded the blonde. She then decided to switch topic. " What are you going to when you get out of here?"

Ino shrugged. " I don't know. I'll probably hang out with Sai – he's been teaching me some of his tricks for almost a month now. Who would've thought he'd be a good teacher."

Sakura frowned a little, digesting Ino's words. After thinking for a moment, she decided to go ahead and ask what'd been on her mind for weeks. " Ino… Are you having a crush on him?"

For a moment, Ino tensed completely, blue eyes widening. Then, a small laughter that sounded nothing like the blonde's erupted. " Don't be daft, Forehead! This is Sai we're talking about – I could never, everhave a crush on someone like him!" One silent and moody is enough on my list, she mused, though she couldn't be too sure if she meant it.

Ino didn't sense the presence until it was too late. Already fearing and expecting the worst, she reluctantly turned her head. True enough, Sai was standing there, so close he must've heard everything. And no matter how hard he obviously struggled to hide it, she could see deep hurt in his eyes.

She swallowed laboriously, feeling more horrible than ever in her life, although she wasn't entirely sure why. It took a while before words came. " Sai, I'm…"

But, she came to discover, it was too late to undo the damage. With how much time they'd spent together during the past month, she could tell the smile appearing to his face was a fake-one. " No, don't apologize. Everything's alright." With that, he turned around and begun to walk away with sharp steps. " I see you're busy right now. I'm sorry for bothering you."

It wasn't until he was gone did Ino realize what was happening. With a loud groan, she covered her face with one hand. She was almost startled by how her chest wrenched mercilessly. " I just screwed up royally, didn't I?"

Sakura was silent for a very long time, as though not sure what to say. Finally, the pinkette gave her the bluntest possible response. " Yeah. You did."

Sinking into her thoughts, Ino couldn't keep herself from wondering just how much harm had been done to the bond of trust that was still fresh and tender between she and Sai.

She got her answer later that day. Sai never appeared to walk her home once her shift ended. (Nor did he say bye to her before heading for a mission in the mist of the next morning.)

¨

Looking at her childhood-friend's face that held a thick shadow of misery, Sakura opened her mouth to comfort the other. All words, however, stilled into her throat as she saw a certain group of four through a window. Sasuke, Naruto and Kakashi, accompanied by a woman she'd never seen before. Seeing the looks upon their faces, she immediately gathered something big was going on.

Unnerving chills ran down her spine.

Sun had just about made its way up to the sky while Tsunade stood before a huge window, a somewhat foggy look in her brown eyes as a array of emotions clouded them. Once more, the same emotions she'd been engulfed by for almost three weeks already came flooding back; sadness, anger, remorse.

She sighed heavily, shaking her head.

'What ifs' would do no good – it was hopelessly too late. There was no point in driving herself into insanity with wondering what could've been if she hadn't been so stubborn and foolish.

With a small, bitter smile, she lifted a half-empty glass of sake. " Happy birthday, Pervert, wherever you are."

Soon enough she put the glass away, deciding that she'd had enough when she could've sworn there was a response.

A door was opened behind her. " Lady Tsunade, they're here", Shizune's familiar voice announced, slightly tentative.

She nodded, more to herself than the younger woman. " Good. Tell them to come in."

After a few moments, the group of four entered. Her brow furrowed a bit when she noticed the teens. " I see you managed to get company."

Aika gave the teens a sour look. " I'm afraid I didn't have much choice over the matter."

Naruto immediately pointed at the woman with one finger. " Baa-chan, she threatened Kakashi sensei with a knife! What were we supposed to do?!"

Tsunade gave the two younger adults a weird look, but in the end decided to jump to more important matters. " So… Kakashi told me about your warning-message. I assume it's something vital since you took the risk of abandoning your mission and coming here."

Aika nodded, eyes turning into a shade of dark brown. " It is. The Akutsuki is on the move for the remained tailed beasts. Preparations are almost done."

At first, Naruto frowned, then – everything clicking together – his eyes widened to impossible size. But, that means… They're coming after me! " WHAT?!"

Tsunade, not seeming to hear him, shuddered scarcely visibly. " Already?"

" They're desperate – Konoha-ninjas have killed off most of the members. Plus, they already have almost all of the tailed beasts. The time of waiting and lurking in the shadows has come to an end." Aika glanced at Naruto, her eyes growing darker. " They'll come after Kyuubi very soon. We can't take the chance of them getting their hands on yet another beast."

Sasuke frowned, but Kakashi spoke before she got the chance, seeming to be dangling between worry, terror and rage. " In that case, we'll have to start getting ready. We can't let them anywhere near Naruto."

Aika nodded, face stern. " Also, there's something more that's important for you to know." Her eyes turned a lot more red than they'd been before. " Aside the Nine-Tailed, there's one more of those demons left out loose – sealed and safe, for now." Her eyes flashed. " It's Hachibi."

Tsunade's eyes widened. " The Eight Tailed."

She nodded solemnly. " I was also able to locate the container. None of the Akatsuki-members knows this yet, thank goodness, but it's only a matter of time. If we want even a slightest chance to save the world, we have to get the container into safety before it's too late."

First time since Jiraiya's death, a fire could be seen in Tsunade's eyes. " I'll gather a group of ninjas as soon as possible to start out a rescue-mission. They can't be of the highest rank – the Akatsuki would immediately realize what we're trying to do."

" And I think it's the best you don't tell the participants everything about the mission. That way, its true purpose would remain a secret as long as possible", Kakashi suggested, eyes hard and serious.

Aika nodded her agreement. " I'm going to help you as much as I possibly can. For now, I'm the only one who knows the container's whereabouts, so I'll leave the team some roadmarks."

Tsunade frowned. " If the Akatsuki finds out about your betrayal, you'll be in a great danger."

" I know. But for this, I'm willing to take that chance." She then looked at Naruto and Sasuke with stony eyes. " This is our soul opportunity to stay one step ahead of the Akatsuki, and you're only allowed to hear this much for the sake of Naruto's safety. I trust you two to not tell anyone about this."

Sasuke nodded, Naruto seemed slightly shaken when mimicking the gesture. Then – so suddenly it startled them all – he created one of his trademark grins and rubbed his hands together. " So… When are we gonna go and retrieve that container?"

Tsunade seemed like she couldn't decide between amusement and annoyance. " You're not going anywhere, Naruto."

Naruto's blue eyes flamed with disappointment as he flapped his arms. " But… But… But…! No! I'm going to become a Hokage one day! I can't just sit back when my village needs me! I won't…!"

" As has been said before, we can't afford to lose you. So – if you really want to ever become a Hokage – stay here, or I'll order you into a particularly strict house-arrest."

Pouting like a five-year-old, Naruto folded his arms. " Fine."

Tsunade's eyes were a shade softer when they shifted to Sasuke. " You're still living with him, no? I want you to keep an eye on him at all times, to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."

For a second time that day, Sasuke's eyebrow begun to twitch violently. " I'm not going to be that idiot's baby-sitter!" Although… She didn't seem quite as reluctant as she made out to be…

The look upon Tsunade's face would've been enough to turn a lesser soul into ashes. " Consider this an order, Uchiha! If you fail, you'll face punishments worse than even your most horrendous nightmares could come up with. Understood?" Receiving what she assumed to be a glare of agreement, she glanced towards Naruto once more. " Unless you want her to suffer, stay in this village."

What appeared as a reply was dark muttering. Some incoherent words could be distinguished. " … stupid… baby-sitter… suffer… who's the idiot…"

Laughter flickered in Aika's eyes, but they quickly darkened when she glanced out the window. She made a small hiss they all figured to be a heavy curse. " I've already spent here a lot longer than I should've." She cast the two teens a one last glance. " You, stay quiet, and stay away from trouble." She then looked at Tsunade, and made a smallest bow with her head. " Lady Tsunade, I'll report as soon as I can."

Tsunade nodded, thousands of emotions dancing upon her face. " Of course. Be careful."

Aika nodded again. She then headed towards the door while sneaking a swift glanced towards Kakashi, but didn't say a word. (Obviously, they'd say goodbye later.) Then, before any of them could blink twice, she was gone.

Naruto – being the curious nature he is – obviously decided to distract himself from thinking about everything that'd just been said with focusing on other things. His eyes were cast towards the door through which Aika had just walked. " Baa-chan, just out of curiosity… What's her story? Are you sure we can trust her?"

Tsunade's eyes clouded for a moment. " I don't know the whole story. But according to what I've been told, she was seven when Kakashi found her half-dead from hunger and cold, and brought her into Konoha. When she was asked about her family, she claimed she has none. And so she was raised in here." She gave the blonde a look of mild mirth. " She's a skilled ninja, and hasn't made even a slightest movement indicating she'd be betraying us during these long years she's spent on this mission. I can assure you, she's completely trustworthy – despite her powers."

Sasuke's eyebrows knit together immediately, Naruto blinked. " Huh?"

Tsunade pressed her lips tightly together, realizing that she'd already revealed far more than the white-haired woman would've liked. She spoke after a moment. " Okay, you two – and Kakashi. With what was just revealed, I've got tons of work to do. So you get your asses out of my office." She then looked at Naruto with eyes that radiated worry above all else. " And you, be careful and don't do anything reckless, or I'll make damn sure you'll regret it."

Naruto rolled his eyes. " Yeah, yeah." Rapidly and far more tightly than would've been necessary, the blonde graphed a handful of Sasuke's white shirt. " C'mon, teme. Let's go."

As soon as the two were gone, Kakashi's voice broke through Tsunade's thoughts. " I wouldn't worry about Naruto. It looks like he's quite well protected."

She arched an eyebrow at the younger man. " Care to clarify?"

But the copy-nin disappeared without another word, strange and quite ominous look of amusement upon his face.

On the building's rooftop, Aika made carefully sure unwanted eyes weren't observing her before she stood still, as nearby the ledge as she dared. Her brown eyes lost all their redness while sweeping across the steadily awakening village she'd once upon a time called home, multi-coloured pools filling with immense yearning and misery.

Gosh, she'd already been away for such a long time! Would she ever get the chance return for good again?

Suddenly, a extremely painful, burning sensation pulled her attention elsewhere. Looking down, she noticed that a bluish fire had taken over her hands, scorching agonisingly although it left no marks. Her eyes narrowed.

She'd better get her emotions into check, or her kekkei genkai would break out of control again.

" Here you are." She jumped but didn't turn, recognizing the soft male-voice. " Shizune told me you're back, and I just had to make sure with my own two eyes."

There was a tiny grin decorating her lips as she peered over her shoulder after a moment, meeting Iruka's familiar, warm eyes. " Hey. Long time no see."

Iruka gave her a wry smile. It took a moment before he spoke again. " Are you here to stay this time?"

Immediately – responding to her emotions – the painful flames burned brighter. She couldn't keep herself from wincing a little as ache intensified. " I'm afraid the mission isn't over yet. Technically, I should be going back already."

Iruka's eyes darkened while he nodded slowly. It was then he noticed the flames on her hands. Judging by the look upon his face, only the fear of getting burned kept him from reaching out and touching comfortingly. " Does it still hurt?" he asked, voice soft and somewhat sad.

She nodded, and watched as the flames slowly died down alongside her longing and gloominess. " But at least I'm learning to control it now."

Iruka nodded barely traceably. As though following some call he couldn't name, his hand begun to move towards the woman's – but came to abrupt stop when he saw the look of confusion and warning in her eyes, not to mention the steps they heard some moments later. " So this is where you disappeared off to." There seemed to be a weird tone in Kakashi's voice, but it could've been their imagination.

Aika found herself shuddering slightly, partially because she could feel Pain trying to contact her with telepathy. She sighed a little, feeling her skin bristle with flames struggling to erupt. " I'll better go, before those creeps find out where I am." She glanced at the two men – her best friends – for a long time, something inside cracking as she realized there was no telling when she'd see them again. " I want you to be alive and in one piece when I come back. So take care of yourselves, understood?"

Kakashi gave the white-haired a small smile behind his mask. " You too, 'Ai-Ai."

Hearing the childish nickname, Aika made a very immature face, then – something close to sadness visible in her eyes – waved a hand and disappeared into a puff of smoke.

The two men looked on silently as last traces of the smoke their long-time friend had left behind faded away. " Do you think we'll see her soon?" Iruka inquired finally.

Kakashi nodded, a strangest look in his visible eye. " I'm sure of it."

There was something awkward, almost dark, hiding behind the silence that lingered between them as they stood, cold wind biting all the way to bone despite pale sunrays.

After gathering their thoughts for some time, Naruto and Sasuke walked out of the building, both sunken deep into thought.

Naruto found himself shivering, and it wasn't just because the temperature had dropped several degrees from the earlier morning.

Of course he'd been preparing himself for the fact that one day, there'd be people coming after the demon inside him. But now that it was actually happening, any given day, and he wasn't allowed to do a thing… It was surprisingly terrifying.

" Thinking about those freaks, dobe?" Sasuke's voice pulled him out of those dark thoughts.

He nodded, chewing his lip. " I… just want to get rid of all this demon-crap. I'm so sick of having to be on my toes because of that damn thing all the time, and having to fear that it breaks out of my control one day."

Sasuke understood, better than well. For all his life, Naruto had been hated because of that cursed Nine Tailed, deprived of having a normal childhood with friends and love. And since Naruto had found out about the evil forces lurking underneath his skin, he'd been forced to carry the dangerous secret. Something like that would be too much for anyone.

She searched for the right words for a very long time before finally speaking out. " It's going to be okay", she stated, voice an octave more quiet than usually. "You've managed to keep that freakin' thing under control for such a long time – you're strong. And as for those bastards, you have a lot of people protecting you from them." She sounded out of character, but at the moment refused to care.

For a brief moment, Naruto glanced towards her. " Including you, teme?" The voice was amused, but it wasn't hard to detect the hidden urgency behind it.

She felt like screaming, but instead emitted another sound through tightly gritted teeth. " Hn." It wasn't until then she was able to look at Naruto. There was a surprisingly thoughtful look upon the blonde's face. " Something else on your mind, dobe?"

For a moment, Naruto looked down, almost as though debuting, then practically whispered. " It's… Today's Pervy-Sage's birthday." The blonde swallowed heavily, eyes refusing to even flicker his way. " Do you think we could take a candle to his grave?"

Too tired to fight on his cold façade, Sasuke allowed her eyes to grow warm. " Sure. It's not like I'd have anything better to do, anyway."

Naruto gave something that could've been a sob or laughter. " Bastard."

As they walked on in silence (far closer to each other than either would've ever cared to admit), Sasuke allowed his mind to spin.

She… didn't have all that much time, but… Before she'd leave, she'd make sure those freaks weren't after Naruto anymore. She'd make sure he was safe.

How ironic. Her life got a whole another meaning when there was so little of it left.

" Sasuke, look!" Naruto sounded like a excited five-year-old while motioning towards the sky. " It's starting to snow!"

Blinking a little with surprise, Sasuke also lifted her gaze, watched the almost surreally beautiful white flakes floating towards them.

For the next few moments of bliss, both pretended they didn't notice how Naruto's hand slipped cautiously into hers, and her slightly trembling fingers squeezed feebly around it. And Sasuke convinced herself it was melting snow – not something as pathetic as tears – on her cheeks.

In a shadowy room, Pain's eyes opened slowly, a dangerous look in them. " I can sense her. She's in Konoha."

Before him, a pair of sea-foam coloured eyes darkened. " I told you she can't be trusted any longer." There was a pause. " How do we proceed?"

" We'll let her live, for now." Pain's eyes narrowed. " If we're lucky enough, she'll lead us straight to what we've been looking for…"

¨

Behind a nearby corner, Aika's eyes narrowed.

So much for the hide and seek…

She could only hope Tsunade would manage to gather and prepare the required team fast, for it seemed time was running out.

In a dark, forgotten tiny village, a pair of golden eyes flew open, filled with panic. The entire small cell was pulsating with a darkest chakra. The demon inside knew.

For years, this prison had been a sanctuary, it's walls enough to hide and protect, but now…

They're getting onto my tracks!

Amidst awakening terror, one thing was for certain.

Time of peace and quiet had came to an end.

TBC??

A/N: Uh-huh, so NOW the plot is beginning to speed forward, huh? The race for the last unknown demon-container is on!

Once more, I remind you that I'm still VERY green when it comes to Naruto, so… If the characters are completely out of whack, or false information has slipped in (winces), PLEASE let me know so I can correct my mistake, 'k?

Gah, I've been in front of my computer for so long that I'm growing roots, so I'll better tune out. PLEASE review – even if it's just to warn me that I'm heading straight towards a brick-wall with this thing!

Until next time, folks! Be good!

Dragon77: I'm beyond ecstatic you've liked so far! Thee, I'm DEFINITELY working my very hardest to convince myself into updating ASAP – with my hopelessly impatient nature, I know perfectly how murderous waiting for a new chappy is. (grits teeth)

Again, thank you SO MUCH for reviewing! 'Hope you'll stay tuned!

¨

ofdarknesschaos: Yes, sir! (grins) I'm so proud of myself I managed to post this one in a week!

Once more, huge thanks for the review! Stay tuned, ya?

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Demonkid: Working my hardest. (smirks) This one became formed in only a week, which is a excellent sign indicating my future update gaps. (cheers)

Bunch of thank yous for reviewing! Stay tuned!

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VyseN: Lol! Can I take this as I'm not the only one who nearly laughs out loud every time when imagining female-Sasuke? Definite crack-stuff!

(So far, I've only managed to dig out TWO!!! FemSasu-fics from "One Wish" from Nigellica, and "The Great Uchiha Curse" from Ki Ai Sky. I haven't dared to read them in fear of catching ideas, though.)

Yeah, I've been purposely avoiding action so far, as I've been more focused on building up the plot and getting used to the characters. (Naruto is still so unfamiliar ground to me it's scary!) But now, I think the plot is thickening – as is the action… (grins wickedly)

Brilliant job? (blushes heavily) Gosh, I'll work with tons of sweat on my forehead to maintain the quality!

Once more, thank you so much for the utterly heart-warming review – and compliment! 'Hope you'll keep sticking around!

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SilverMoon Wolf: Lol! FemSasu MUST be the weirdest idea I've EVER had when writing fan-fiction! I seriously have no idea of where it came from! I'm so glad you're getting used to the idea.

Heh, I'm seriously working my hardest on the updates; with how impatient nature I am, I know first-hand how annoying waiting for a new chapter is!

(blushes) Thank you SO MUCH for the review, not the mention the compliment! I seriously hope the quality will remain!

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Kai's kitty: (wipes tears) I also feel terrible for Jiraiya's death. Poor pervert – he so would've deserved to life! (starts bawling)

Muah-hah-haa, Naruto's just too damn oblivious, huh?

Oh, I agree – there's just something… chillingly amusing about imagining Sasuke in Sexy no jutsu-form. Damn, I'm waiting for the day they'll show that! (Though the hell will probably freeze over first…)

Again, thank you so much for review! 'Hope I'll keep seeing you around!
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dragonmagik: Damn, they're both just too damn oblivious for their own good, aren't they? (grits teeth)

Thee, as for Sasuke surviving… We'll just have to wait and see what my sadistic side decides. (winces and sweatdrops) (Btw, congrats! Judging by your review, you've managed to guess one huge twist soon to come. But shh – I don't think the others are on to it yet!) (winks with a wicked grin)

Once more, thank you SO MUCH for the heart-warming review – I'm so glad you've liked the story and storyline so far! I sincerely hope the quality will remain in future!

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LunaLocket: Hooray – so I'm not he only romance/angst –lover around here! (dances around with joy)

Tons of thank yous for reviewing – I'm way beyond thrilled you've liked so far! Laters?

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Miah-Chan: (raises one hand with a pained wince) Here's a definite fan-girl victim. I wouldn't survive a day if those creepy things were real! (sweatdrops)

Yea, Jiraiya dies (or so I've assumed; I haven't given up on hope completely just yet) – not telling how, so I won't spoil it for you. I still can't believe they actually killed him! (sniffs loudly)

Phew, I'm glad you've got nothing against InoxSai – I was sure there'd be tons of flames when the couple was introduced, but thankfully there's been none so far! (I hope you'll get to know Sai better. He's very much okay, once you get used to his personality.)

Loads of thank yous for reviewing – I'm certainly working my butt out to keep up the quality! 'Hope I'll be seeing you around!
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Chibi-Chaaan: Lol, I just can't help cracking up every time I think about femSasuke – it's total crack-stuff! I seriously have no idea of from what dark corners of my mind the idea came from!

Thank you so much for reviewing – I'm utterly elated you like the idea! 'Hope you'll keep sticking around!

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encyser: Heh, I'll DEFINITELY work my best on the updates. Being a extremely impatient personality, I know better than well how excruciating waiting for a new chapter is. (grits teeth with a grimace)

Thank you so much for reviewing – I'm so glad you're beginning to like the story! I really hope you'll be staying tuned!