They all assembled at the gate. Sai pulled out his drawing scrolls.

"When you've spotted them, just fly back over, okay?" shikamaru told him.

Sai nodded, "And when you engage in battle?"

"Hold back, stay secluded, unless it gets really bad or I signal you."

Said nodded again, and began drawing a bird. It popped out of the paper, and he walked over to ride it.

"Wait!" Vladdy called.

Sai turned around, and Vladdy was just inches from him.

"Be careful," she whispered, and pressed her lips to his.

He was slightly taken aback, but relaxed. She slightly pulled away and he took her hand.

"I will," He smiled. Within moments he was in the air.

Gaara looked at Vladdy and smiled slightly.

____

Shikamaru had just finished explaining the strategy when Sai flew back over head.

"Let's go," Shikamaru said.

_____

Kakuzu and Hidan just dodged the kunai thrown from the forest.

Suddenly everyone was engaged in battle. It was obvious on the battlefield that Gaara was now a jounin.

Vladdy fought alongside of her, debating releasing her seal.

The group pulled back, after many techniques had failed. Shikamaru reverted to his final plan.

"Kakashi, do you think you can handle the stitched one without me?"

Kakashi thought for a moment, "We would have a better chance without the grey-haired one here."

Shikamaru nodded. He had his own disputes to settle with Hidan.

Gaara grabbed his shoulders. "You can't fight him alone!"

Shikamaru gently removed her hands from his shoulders. "I'll be back, I promise."

Shikamaru captured Hidan with his shadow and lead him into the forest.

Vladdy was going to help the rest fight Kakuzu, but she felt that she also had a dispute to settle with the other one. She started to run after shikamaru.

"You idiot!" Gaara yelled after her.

"Let her go," Kakashi said, "We need to focus on this one."

Sai saw Vladdy disappear. "Dammit." He debated revealing his location and going after her.

____

Shikamaru was facing Hidan when suddenly Vladdy appeared from the brush and a barrier was suddenly surrounding them.

"What the hell are you doing!?" Shikamaru yelled.

"Barrier techniques were started by the Nisshoku. And if you mean by following you, I feel I need to settle something with him.

Shikamaru was pissed, but he couldn't help it now, he would just need to slightly alter his plan.

Hidan laughed, and without warning, took a swung at a distracted shikamaru. Vladdy jumped infront of him, her force holding back the blade.

Hidan laughed again, "How about you move out of the way, little girl?"

Vladdy pushed the blade out of the way and took a swing at Hidan's gut. Miss.

Hidan laughed yet again, "Well, you've got some strength, but it's not enough," He quickly swung at her. Vladdy dodged.

"Vladdy, hold on!" Shikamaru yelled.

She fell back to his side.

"Shikamaru, I think…I know how to defeat him."

"How?!" he asked; he gasped when she pointed to the black sun.

"Don't." Shikamaru ordered.

She looked at him, "What else do you have in mind?!"

"Plenty until you showed up!"

Vladdy glared at him. She laughed and pushed him down. "Sorry," She whispered.

She concentrated her chakra and within moments the seal was released.

Her eyes turned black, chakra surrounding her. Suddenly a large Falcon appeared and with amazing speed and strength, it attacked Hidan.

"What the fuck is that?!" Hidan yelled, getting nicked by the chakra falcon, burning his skin.

____

"Shit!" Naruto choked.

"Whats wrong?!" Gaara yelled.

Naruto shivered. "GO! YOU AND SAI NEED TO GO TO VLADDY, NOW!"

"Wha-" Gaara was confused, but Sai had already popped out of the brush, running into the trees. Gaara followed close behind, worried.