A/N: First of all, I'm so sorry it took slightly longer than it should've to update – my mind's just been wrapped around this other project! But now, FINALLY, there's another chapter. WOO-HOO! (pumps fist into air)

First things first, HUGE thank yous for those heart warming reviews you've left! (HUGS and chocolate all around) It seriously does miracles to one's inspiration to know there are THAT many people eagerly waiting for the next chapter! Kiitos! (bows) (Becki Osborne and realityfling18, feel free to take a peek at your responses to reviews underneath the chappy.)

Okay, without any further babblings, here we go! I really hope you'll enjoy of this new post!

/ They don't know
They can't see
Who we are
Fear is the enemy
Hold on tight
Hold on to me
'Cause tonight

It's all about us (all about us)
It's all about
All about us (all about us)
We'll run away if we must
'Cause ya know (ah ah)
It's all about us (all about us)
It's all about
All about us (all about us)
We'll run away if we must
'Cause ya know (ah ah)
It's all about us (all about us)
It's all about us /

It's all about us (It's all about us)
It's all about love (It's all about us)
In you I can trust (It's all about us)

(Tatu; "All about us")

/ During his unnaturally long life, Uchiha Madara had faced many things that – although he'd never admitted it out loud – had baffled him. But that morning, almost exactly a day from the Fourth Hokage's death, he found something that surprised him beyond anything else.

When walking towards a tiny, chapel-like building nearby Konoha's borderlines, he paused with near-shock upon seeing a small basket left on the doorsteps. Shrill, desperate crying carried into his ears.

He couldn't keep himself from blinking.

A… baby?

Further investigation proved his absurd observation to be the correct one. What lay in the basket was indeed a tiny, almost newborn baby-girl, who was currently screaming at the top of her lungs.

For a longest moment he considered his options, all the way to the cruellest one. In the end, moves slow and almost tender, he outstretched his arms and gathered the heartbreakingly crying, tiny bungle into his arms.

As soon as the little one felt his warmth, the crying stopped and razor-sharp burgundy pools opened up to meet his – clear of all questioning and filled with fire he'd never seen before.

He found himself grinning. " You're a real fighter, aren't you?" he murmured. His eyes changed behind his mask. " Yes, I'll certainly have use for someone like you."

At the time, he didn't know why the way the baby's eyes flashed chilled him to bone.

He was to get his answer almost seventeen years later. /

CHAPTER 11: All About Us

Naruto had never seen any group travel as fast as Hebi did while they made their way through a painting-like landscape and village after another. Whatever the substance Sasuke had treated his leg with was, it turned out to be effective. His injury didn't slow them down at all, and in five days they were so close to Suna he could already smell it.

That early morning, he woke up much later than he'd been intending to, only to find that for once he and Sasuke were alone, with the raven keeping an eye on the small fire they'd dared to make, careful to not make their hiding spot known.

He yawned and stretched. " Why didn't you wake me up?" He frowned. " And where's your crew?"

" Juugo wanted to take a look around, and I sent Karin and Suigetsu to train when they almost grabbed each other's throats, so there's no hurry. Besides, you needed rest after running around for so long with that leg of yours." Very slowly, the Uchiha turned around and walked up to him, inspecting the injury with evaluating eyes and careful hands. " Does it hurt?"

He shrugged, skin tingling under the other's touch. " Not much. Right now it itches like hell."

It was next to impossible to read Sasuke's expression, but he thought he found irritation and amusement. " It seems to be healing nicely", the boy announced while pulling his hand away.

As though gaining a mind of their own, his eyes moved downwards on the raven, and flashed once meeting something they didn't like. There was a rather painful-looking, obviously deep wound on Sasuke's right ankle. " Why didn't you tell me you were hurt?" he demanded.

" I've had that one since Konoha. It's no trouble." The raven all but glared at him. " Just worry about yourself, dobe. That one's none of your business."

He rolled his eyes, then shot a stony look towards the boneheaded Uchiha. " It's sure as hell my business if we get caught because of it. So sit down and let me take a look at it."

Muttering something he couldn't make out, the other did as ordered.

He didn't know much about healing, but he did know that a wound like that had to be treated. Therefore, disregarding all Sasuke's opposing arguments, he ripped a piece of his shirt and started to wrap it gently to the injury. The raven shuddered at first against his touch – almost like wanting to give a violent reaction – but in the end muscles relaxed under his hands. He found this warm feeling spreading into everywhere inside him for such a rare, special sign of trust.

He grinned when meeting the other's onyx depths. " See? It feels much better now, doesn't it?"

It was most likely his imagination, but Sasuke's eyes seemed to soften ever so slightly before they turned away from him. " Hn." ' Thank you.'

He shook his head, fighting the urge to wrap one arm around the teen that suddenly felt so… vulnerable, almost. " Geez, teme", he scoffed. " You've got some serious issues when it comes to accepting help."

Sasuke merely scoffed. " You should know it by now, dobe. I'm bad at trusting." The Uchiha's muscles were more relaxed than he'd ever seen them while they sat nearby enough to feel each other's warmth, all of the boy's guards down.

He could only nod while he stared at the Uchiha in utter disbelief. With many people, those seemingly rude words wouldn't have meant a thing, but when it came to Sasuke… He didn't think he'd ever seen the raven this open and bared.

The urge to hold Sasuke became so strong that it terrified him, and he, too, had to look away before he'd end up doing something he'd regret.

Neither noticed that his hand never left its comfortable place on the damaged ankle.

They must've drifted into some world of their own, because both jolted a bit with startle when the three other Hebi-members rushed into their campsite, grave looks upon their faces. " We'll better get going", Karin announced. " Konoha's inching closer again."

Neji didn't have a gentle awakening when the haze drifting through his head finally disappeared, allowing room for a nasty headache. He hissed just a bit despite himself, feeling his forehead wrinkle.

As a response to his sounds and movements, steps were heard. His bed dipped a little when someone sat to its ledge. " Neji? Are you awake?"

Like someone had snapped fingers, a part of the ache disappeared at the sound of that familiar voice and he dared to open his eyes, allowing him to see Gaara's surprisingly exhausted face. (With worry he couldn't quite explain just yet, he wondered if the redhead had slept at all for several nights.) " Hey", he managed, though his voice was pathetically weak and scratchy. He frowned a little, his head trying to catch on. " Was it… a dream, or did they get…?"

Gaara's expression remained as unreadable as always, but something – a voice inside, almost – told him that the boy was feeling quite a bit. " Kankuro and Izumi found the antibody." The other's voice was almost as scratchy as his. " Izumi said it'll take time, but you'll be okay. You've been unconscious for five days."

He nodded, head spinning with overwhelming relief and disbelief.

Very slowly, his pale eyes moved towards Gaara once more, and yet another frown came. " 'You okay?"

At that moment, he got to witness such sight pretty much no one had been allowed to see before, and his chest warmed up instantly. Gaara gave a laughter – short, but audible nonetheless. " I should be the one asking that", the boy pointed out.

He had a feeling that there was a lot both of them would've wanted to say, but they became interrupted when Kankuro and Izumi entered the room. Both he and Gaara arched eyebrows when noticing that the two were holding hands.

Kankuro immediately grinned upon discovering him awake. " Nice to see you up for change." The boy then let go of Izumi so that he could grab Gaara's hand with a firm look upon his face. " C'mon. You look ready to pass out – I'll better drag you to bed before that happens." Gaara opened his mouth, but became cut off by dangerously narrowed eyes. " No buts or arguing."

Gaara gave him a somewhat apologetic look. " I'll come and see you later, okay?"

He nodded, feeling confused although he had no idea of why.

Once the two boys had left, Izumi sat to his bedside and started to outstretch a glowing hand towards him. " I'll make a quick check up on you, okay?" Sensing his look of mistrust, she smiled. " This won't hurt."

He nodded, relaxing a slightest bit. " 'K."

He was silent for a while after that until curiosity took the best of him, and his lips moved before he could process the words. " Izumi… Has Gaara been here the entire time I was unconscious?"

The corners of Izumi's mouth twitched. " Mostly, yes." She mused for a while – clearly wondering if it was her duty to tell him this – but in the end went on. " And you should know… He was willing to make a deal with the enemy to get you the antidote."

His eyes widened with shock, and his insides turned completely cold. " But…" He swallowed, throat feeling more dry than the desert spreading all over outside. " Why?"

Izumi smiled a bit. " You'll have to ask him." She then pulled her hand away. " It seems like everything's going exactly as it's supposed to, but I'll come back to make another check up tomorrow, okay? Try to get some rest."

He nodded, his mind drifting million miles away. He didn't even notice when the girl left the room, leaving him alone with confusion.

He had a nasty feeling that he'd get yet another headache soon enough.

It'd been many days from when it'd started already, and Hinata found herself growing further and further confused.

Kiba had always been the talkative type, even hyper. But lately… It seemed he'd withdrawn into a shell of some sort, especially around her, and it must've been days from when they'd last exchanged proper sentences. The situation had only grown worse now that they were back home (after travelling faster than she would've ever thought possible for even ninjas). Such sudden distance hurt her far more than she could've ever imagined.

" Hinata?" Kurenai's voice – no matter how soft – made her jump with startle. Turning her head, she faced her former sensei, who was sitting on the other side of a table, holding her tiny baby-boy who'd recently been named Kazuki (just like Kurenai and Asuma had planned). Understanding flashed by the woman's face. " Are you worried about Naruto?"

" Yes, b-but…" She sighed and ran a hand through her hair, feeling repulsed when watching the plateful of untouched ramen before her. " It's j-just… Kiba's b-been acting w-weird lately. He d-doesn't talk t-to me anymore."

The woman frowned. " Why do you think that is?"

She shrugged, feeling more helpless than ever in her life, then sighed heavily. " I w-wish I c-could just a-ask him, but h-he keeps a-avoiding me."
Kurenai nodded, suddenly gazing towards a huge window nearby. Small smile appeared to the woman's face. " Here's your chance."
Turning to look towards the same direction, she felt a small flutter in her chest when seeing Kiba walking down the street with Akamaru, a strangely sad look upon his face that seemed out of place on him.

She swallowed thickly, starting to tremble.

" Go", Kurenai commanded, her voice firm and sympathetic at the same time. The woman smiled yet again when she looked at her. " Face your fears and take care of this, before it's too late. I know you can do it."

At that moment, she gathered absolutely all her courage, then got up and started to walk towards the boy, legs trembling pathetically.

Kiba's eyes radiated terror until he managed to chase it away. " Hey Hinata."

She decided that it was high time to stop dancing around. " Kiba…" She swallowed, not exactly sure of how to set her words. " W-What's wrong? Y- you've been a-acting strange f-for many days n-now. Have I d-done something w-wrong?"

It surprised her that the clearly faked smile Kiba gave her hurt much more than any amount of silence. " Hinata, you don't have to get worked up. We're back in Konoha now – there's no need for you to worry about me." The boy looked towards Akamaru, who gazed back with accusation in his eyes. " C'mon boy, let's go training."

Had her mind not been busy with other things, she would've noticed how Akamaru growled at his master with disappointment before following the boy, who was already walking away with quite a fast speed.

She wrapped her arms tightly around herself, feeling unbearably cold, and emitted a small, choked sound.

She didn't know what the terrifyingly powerful, almost crushing feeling appearing to her chest was just then, but later learned to know that it was the first time her heart was broken.

Shikamaru had known from the very beginning that if anything, Shiho was hardworking. Still, it absolutely baffled him what kind of amounts of dusty books and long shelves of library the girl was willing to go through for just one particular item that was still a mystery to him.

" We've been here for hours already", he pointed out to the girl, who was currently balancing nearby the library's roof on unsteady ladder, searching through yet another collection of books. He cast a longing look towards one of the building's huge windows. " Don't you think it's time to go out for some fresh air?"

" Just… a second." Shiho made a victorious sound. " A-ha, here it is! This is the one in which I saw that same coding", she all but screamed, waving a book.

His eyes widened when he recognized the artwork. " Isn't that… Fourth's book?" Were they actually cracking the legendary Hokage's code?

Shiho grinned. " Cool, isn't it? I…" She never managed to complete that sentence, because just then the ladder gave its last, and she started to fall fast, straight towards him.

He was able to catch her, and even almost managed to put her steadily to the floor. The girl's weight was, however, too much for his all of a sudden wobbling legs, and he started to sway.

His mind was too busy for him to be amused by how ridiculously clichéd the moment was when their balance broke completely and he fell to the floor on top of the unsuspecting, heavily blushing girl, his lips slamming to hers without him having any control over the matter. His lips moved – as though he would've wanted to take a deep breath or yell – and his stomach squirmed with surprise and something else when hers repeated the gesture.

For a second time in less than a week, he never managed to figure out if he wanted to pull out of the kiss before it was already too late.

For there were steps he knew very well, and a gasp that resembled to that of pain.

-

Before she ever entered the library, Temari already had a dark feeling in the pit of her stomach – like some weight that absolutely refused to disappear. She couldn't understand it for a longest time, but as soon as the sight was presented to her it became crystal clear. (She never heard the gasp she made.)

She wasn't one to cry, and even now her eyes didn't water as they met Shikamaru's, which were filled with apology and confusion.

For this one moment, she actually thought about walking up to the brunette, but in the end she shook her head at both the boy and herself.

They weren't together or anything – she couldn't blame him for she being stupid enough to give him something she'd never given anyone before. This cut, although it stung mercilessly, was her own doing. Therefore, she had no obligation to listen to his weak explanations.

Her steps echoed in walls when she turned around and walked out.

When the group of five desperately trying to make its way towards Suna finally dared to take a breather, darkness had already started to fall and they were all breathing heavily with exhaustion. Looking around, they discovered that Suna's gates were only a couple of hundred meters away. If it wasn't for the torches wandering all around in slowly enclosing darkness, it would've been safe to rush towards safety.

Despite all resistance, Naruto found himself hissing against the pain that once again flooded back into his leg. Looking down, he noticed despite darkness that the wound had bled a little.

' Foolish kit', Kyuubi's much too familiar voice snarled inside his head. ' If you'd just let me take care of that one…'

" Naruto?" Tremendous relief flooded over him when the sound of Sasuke's suddenly soothing voice chased Kyuubi away. The raven was frowning when looking at him. " Are you okay?"

He nodded firmly. " It stings, but I'll live."

The Uchiha nodded, then glanced towards the others. " I think we should split up. Do you think you'll manage to cause enough distraction for me to be able to take Naruto into the village?"

Karin smirked. " You know us. We're masters of distraction."

" Good. Suigetsu, Juugo, let's take a little look around to see what we're up against. Karin, keep an eye on Naruto."

As the three went, Naruto took a look at Sasuke's ankle and couldn't help wondering if the others had noticed that his leg-wound wasn't the only one bleeding.

" Uzumaki." Karin's voice was so quiet that the other three – currently surveying the environment – couldn't hear. Looking towards her, he found surprise washing through upon finding something… human, nearly fragile from her hard eyes. " Look after him, will you?"

He nodded very slowly, then blinked with stun for a couple of times before voice agreed to come. " You… really care about him, too, don't you?"

Karin made a snort-like sound that seemed to hide something. " What? Did you think I'm a monster or something?" She glanced towards the others to make sure they were still far enough to not hear. " I owe him, a lot. Of course I care."

He nodded, although he wasn't entirely sure if he understood perfectly.

Just then, the other three returned. Judging by their grim expressions, it was high time to get going. " There's way more than ten of them now", Suigetsu announced. " Apparently, several groups have joined together. This'll be a wild ride."

Karin's eyes flashed. " We'll better get going before they'll spot us here. I'm not in the mood for blood shedding."

" Naruto, let's go." Sasuke's voice was sharp with concentration. Black eyes moved towards the rest of Hebi. " No stupidities. Understood?"

Suigetsu grinned. " Sure thing, boss. See you in a bit." With that, the three started to advance into another direction. Soon enough surprised shouts of Konohans could be heard.

Naruto's heart thumped with what he identified as near-terror and excitement while he and Sasuke made their way towards Suna's gates, their steps fast and soundless.

He felt cold shivers run through him when Sasuke tensed up and became perfectly still all of a sudden. He swallowed thickly. " What's wrong?"

Just then, they both spotted a small flash from a tiny sand-hill nearby – moonlight meeting metal. In an instant, there were shouts and sounds of dogs barking. There was nowhere to run.

He shuddered.

Oh shit…

' So, Kit.' Kyuubi sounded between amused, cocky and anxious. ' Are you still not letting me help?'

He had no time to focus on the demon, because just then five Konohan ninjas were stood before them.

His hand inched as close to Sasuke's as possible without actually touching, and cold blaze took place in the pit of his stomach.

Things were not going great.

Ever since their group of four had appeared to Konoha the evening before, Kakashi had felt this strange, ominous throbbing in his skull, nestled right underneath his left ear. It could've been caused by the fact that both Naruto and Sasuke were currently chased by Konohan ninjas out of Danzou's command, and Sakura was out there chasing them. But somehow, he felt that worry for his former students wasn't the only answer.

He wondered if he'd finally get his explanation when quite late that evening Tsunade appeared into the safe house (or prison, as they knew) where Rin had been ordered to say in. Quite colourfully, the former Hokage told them everything that'd happened in the village during their absence.

Rin's eyes were filled with the same shock that was flooding inside him, firmly under his control. " We… saw the destroyed buildings, but war…" She trailed off.

Tsunade nodded, face grim. " Kirigakure showed no mercy. Even school was destroyed."

Now, Kakashi couldn't keep his eyes from widening just a little when realization dawned. He looked towards the woman with a demanding gaze. " Iruka?"

Despite all, Tsunade smiled just a bit. " He was injured, but it seems he'll recover to his former shape in no time." She grew more solemn. " You should go to see him."

For a moment he thought about asking what the woman meant – because it seemed there was something he couldn't quite figure out just yet behind the elder's statement – but then decided against it. There was already enough of shocking things for his head to handle.

" Hokage-sama." There was a deep frown upon Rin's face. " That team from here… It came to bring me back, although I'd made a deal to stay in that village. What's going on?"

Tsunade scoffed, face darker than stormy sky. " Danzou's gone insane, that's what."

Before either of them could ask for an explanation, there was a loud knock, and the house's door opened after less than five second's wait. The same trio that'd appeared to collect them from the strange village marched in, haughty looks of determination and near-disgust upon their faces. " It's time", their leader announced.

With a sideways glance, Kakashi noticed Tsunade's hand reaching out for weapons while he moved slightly closer to Rin, prepared for anything. " Time for what?" he demanded in a growl.

As response, another one of the three threw an already worn scroll at him. " Certain plans have been made. We'll take this Demon Container to another location, to ensure Konoha's safety. Hokage-sama's orders."

He all but bounced forward when the men grabbed Rin roughly, but biggest of the three showed up to block his path, eyes filled with venom. " Unless you want to be sued of treason, don't."

Helplessness rising up in a wave of nausea, he glanced towards Rin, unable to keep some of the desperation from showing in his eyes. She didn't speak – not wanting to give out anything before her three captors – but her eyes told everything she wanted to say, even if it was a lie even she didn't believe in.

' It'll be okay. Don't worry.'

Door banged deafeningly when closing after the group.

Somewhere in the depths of his chest, he had a terrifying, nagging feeling that if it wasn't for some miracle, he'd never see Rin again.

For Naruto and Sasuke, who were still entrapped on the very edge of Suna's borderlines, everything happened breathtakingly fast. From somewhere amongst the nearby rocks, three Shurikens appeared – thrown by a helper they probably didn't even want to know – and two of the men trying to hold them back fell down when steel pierced their necks. The three others stared at their fallen comrades for several moments in stun and terror, until rage took over.

Their leader – a young man with long, messy brown hair and wild predator's eyes – pulled out a long sword, teeth screeching like metal. " You'll pay for that one."
" If you're going to throw threats…" Sasuke's voice was low and dangerous. Looking to side, Naruto felt his heart jump upon facing a Sharingan unlike any of the ones he'd met so far. Black spun threateningly amongst a sea of red, captivating the horrified trio. " … you should first know what you're up against."

At first the men screamed, then – like someone had flicked a switch – fell to ground, sliding securely into unconsciousness.

Naruto's heart was thumping when he looked at his best friend once more. " Sasuke." His voice was a demanding wheeze, and he was pretty sure his eyes were far wider than should've been physically possible. " What… What the hell's happened to your eyes?"

Once more onyx orbs became even darker still. " Itachi happened." Approaching steps told that there was no time for further explanations, and Sasuke cast a hard look towards him. " Naruto, I need you to run, as fast as possible. Can you do that?"

He frowned, none of his muscles willing to move. " Teme, I'm not going to leave you!"

" Do you honestly think I'm not capable of protecting myself? We'll have much better chances of getting away from these people if we split." Sasuke's eyes turned red once more. " Naruto, GO. Right now."

In a spur of a moment, he grabbed Sasuke's hand and squeezed tightly, desperately, his heart thumping as though the touch had been their last. He wondered if the raven even knew that he squeezed back.

Never had letting go been as difficult as it was then. Not daring to look back he ran, defying the ache that returned to his leg and blurring stinging in his eyes. He could vaguely hear four sets of steps moving to follow him, trying to enclose him.

Suzume was just coming back to their group's newest campsite from investigating some tracks when she felt presence. Her mouth twitched a bit, almost revealing a smile. " So you've finally come back."

In a matter of seconds Shino – who'd spent the past day in a tiny village nearby to do some interrogation – emerged from shadows created by trees. " It took longer than I thought to make those people talk, but I managed to gather that the Akatsuki, a team from Konoha plus Naruto with Sasuke and two others have been seen nearby."
" Looks like we're on a right track, then", she mused, feeling a bang of relief. Waste of time was something they couldn't afford.

Shino, on the other hand, seemed to have other things in mind. The boy looked around before asking. " So… Where are the others?"

It was hard not to chuckle. " Sai and Ino are trying to find firewood and something to eat, and Sakura's training to blow off some steam."

" So… We're alone?"

She nodded, feeling a tingle on her skin when the boy walked close. " Technically, yes."

Not waiting for any further confirmation, the boy pressed his lips to hers – first gently, nearly tentatively, then much harder to challenge the response she gave.

This kiss was just like the first one they'd exchanged, back when Shino had been brought into a hospital from destroyed school building. That day – encouraged by medication – he'd finally braced himself and with a single gesture allowed her to know everything he felt. Since then these tender moments had been their own little secret. (1)

They broke apart upon spotting something far on their left. In horizon – what must've been about a day's journey away although they could see it clearly from this cliff – at least ten torches moved as though predators surrounding a prey. Their eyes flashed with understanding.

Konoha had found Naruto and Sasuke.

" Sakura, Sai, Ino!" Suzume's called out, not caring who heard in this situation. " We'll better get going!"

Not too far away, Ino and Sai also shared an interesting moment.

Despite the fact that she was a ninja, Ino had always hated camping – the feeling of cold forest floor under her back, bad hygiene, smells and sounds she couldn't identify… This journey most definitely did nothing to change her mind.

She didn't know pretty much a single thing about berries, mushrooms and other eatable things that could be found from forest, but had nonetheless joined Sai when the boy had left to get them something to eat.

She wasn't doing this for Sai, though. For all her life, she'd been considered weak, a burden almost. Now, she was determined to finally prove that she could be a valuable part of a team.

Unfortunately, that wasn't going too well – especially when her foot ended up to a piece of ground rain had softened and she fell down, fast.

Sai spun around immediately upon hearing her hiss – much more of embarrassment and fury than actual pain. The boy frowned when seeing her down and started to approach, cautious with his steps. " Are you alright?"

" Yes." It came out far more sharply than she'd indented. She took a deep, shuddering breath when feeling throbbing on her left leg. " This is just too damn humiliating."

Seeming to pay hardly any mind to her words, Sai started to examine the injured limb. He seemed almost relieved when finding only a small, shallow wound that oozed barely any blood. " This doesn't seem too bad." He looked towards her face. " Are you hurting elsewhere?"

She looked down to avoid meeting his dark eyes. " I'm totally useless, aren't I? I mean…" She knew it was ridiculous to blow up in front of him like this, but she just couldn't hold it back. " Let's face it – this is the best I can do. I…"

" Ino." She felt a shudder when he cupped her chin gently into one hand, and another when he forced her to look straight into his eyes. " You're not useless – I think you're the only one of us who can even cook under these circumstances. Besides…" He didn't smile – after all, a genuine smile was a rare sight upon Sai's face – but his features softened. " I'm glad you came along."

The only response she managed to give was a blink.

As though pulled by magnetism of some sort, they leaned closer, until their lips were so close that the gap was only millimetres wide. Ino's heart hammered wildly, and her eyes flew wide when she started to realize what exactly was happening.

What the hell am I doing?!

A look of stun spread to Sai's face when she pulled back as though she'd been burned. " Oh shit…", was all she managed.

" Sakura, Sai, Ino!" Suzume's call felt like a gift from somewhere up above. " We'll better get going!"

She got up faster than should've been humanly possible, and blatantly ignored the way her head spun from too fast movements. " We… We should go." With that she spun around and ran, leaving the bewildered boy behind her.

After having spent several hours driving himself insane with thinking, Neji decided that since there was no way around this problem, he could as well face it.

Evening had already fallen when finally found Gaara stood on a balcony of the building, gazing at the village deep in thought.

He hesitated for a while before speaking out and taking a stand beside the redhead. " You're a hard person to find sometimes, you know."

Gaara shuddered a bit with surprise, then looked at him and frowned. " You should be in bed."

" Laying around is pretty much all I've done since arriving to Suna", he pointed out, hating the mere idea of himself that useless. Despite irritation directed towards himself, it was hard not to smile at Gaara's concern. " Trust me, I've rested well enough."

Gaara turned away away, a strange look in his eyes. " Hn."

Wind was blowing surprisingly coolly while he stood beside the redhead, enjoying of the companionable silence and allowing his gaze to wander across houses and desert. He vaguely noted that Suna was much more beautiful in nighttime.

It took a long time before he finally managed to gather the words required. " Gaara… I heard what you did to get the antidote." He glanced towards the boy, who was busy looking into any other direction whatsoever. " Why… did you do something like that?" Why do you consider me worthy of taking such a stupid risk?

Gaara's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, but the boy still didn't look at him. The response came after a pregnant pause. " Because… You saved my life, when I came to Konoha." The other finally looked directly into his eyes, making something inside him move oddly. " I wanted to return the favour."

After having spent so much time with the redhead, he knew much better than to believe that answer covered the full truth. He, however, restrained himself from prying anything further, as though he'd been afraid of knowing the full truth. Instead he found his lips forming a small smile while he watched two tiny night birds playing in the air not too far away. " Thank you", he found himself whispering before anything could stop him.

Gaara looked at him with clearly visible surprise, as though not having expected gratitude, then nodded, face softening.

While they stood there in undisturbed, comfortable silence, eyes fixed on the birds, something that terrified him crossed his mind.

It was the first time he wondered if there could be something deeper than friendship waking up between them. But that wasn't what disturbed him the most.

What terrified him beyond any belief, was that he didn't have anything against the idea.

Fortunately (or so he thought back then) those thoughts were sliced cut when Gaara suddenly tensed up completely, narrowed eyes darted towards something in horizon.

His muscles stiffened as well while he looked at the redhead. " What's wrong?"

Gaara nodded towards the borderline of the city. " Over there."

He gazed towards the same direction, and frowned at what he found.

At least ten torches were approaching the sleeping city, in such formation that their carriers were definitely circling someone. Blowing from different angle, wind carried shouts he couldn't make out to their ears.

" We'll better go and investigate that one", he stated in a rigid voice.

Gaara shook his head. " You're not going anywhere – you're barely able to walk. I'll go with Kankuro and Matsuri." The redhead, clearly sensing his worry and displeasure for being left behind, went on while starting to march away. " It's probably nothing. I'll be back soon."

While Gaara went, their hands were less than an inch from touching, and a sensation that felt like electric shock crossed through him. Numbing coldness filled him for a moment when the redhead disappeared from sight, leaving him alone with his dangerous thoughts.

Emitting a sound between sigh and growl, he directed his eyes towards the lights dancing nearby the village once more, although he couldn't really focus on them.

Everything was far too confusing here in the desert.

Naruto had already made it about five steps from Suna's gates when a Kunai whistled past his ear and a hard, nearly animalistic voice came. " Stop running, brat, and make this easier on yourself."

Turning around to face the four ninjas surrounding him, he couldn't keep himself from laughing out loud. " You're expecting me to come willingly, when I know you're going to kill me as soon as you're close enough?"

One of the four – a huge man who'd lost one of his eyes – approached, sword already pulled out. " I'd like to execute you right here and right now, but Danzou-sama has better use for you."

He frowned, knowing enough to not find this new piece of information comforting. " What kind of a use?"

" You're in no place for asking questions right now."

Kyuubi sneered. ' Geez kit, you're really gifted with getting yourself into messes like this.'
While the man kept approaching, Naruto's fingers moved with desperate speed, and soon enough there was ten clones stood beside him. He grinned along with them. " You'll have to come and get me first", they all echoed.

Direct fighting would've only brought him into even more trouble than he was in already, and he didn't really want to hurt anyone. But maybe if he'd manage to fool this giant…

That hopeful thought, however, never made it to the finish, because just as soon as it'd started the man's sword moved. Ten seconds later there was nothing left of his clones.

The man's remaining eye flashed. " You're getting onto my nerves, brat." In only a blink, the sword was flying towards him. " Perhaps I don't have spare you, after all. I can always tell that you were difficult and my weapon… slipped."

Just before the blade could reach his throat, there was a loud clink of two pieces of steels meeting and a thud when the sword that'd been threatening him fell down, followed by a voice he knew very well. " I'd suggest you to think twice."

Quite nearby, Sasuke's senses managed to tingle with alarm before a young man who couldn't be more than three years older than he was stood before him, neatly tied, long dark-blue hair and Akatsuki's cloak flapping in wind that'd appeared from nowhere.

His eyes – still red – narrowed. " I should've known your group is here as well."

The other smirked lopsidedly. " I was sent here to observe and make sure you wouldn't get into Suna's safety." Long fingers moved fast. " I must admit, you made it far further than I would've expected. Konoha's clearly not worthy of its reputation."

He growled loudly, his own fingers moving. " I swear, if you lay a hand on Naruto…"

The other male chuckled. " Don't worry about your little friend. I'm sure you have enough to worry about with yourself."

With that, their battle started. In any other situation, he would've been chilled by how suavely their moves fit together, how they seemed to work in perfect unison, as though seeing each other's moves before their own.

His opponent grinned. " I knew in beforehand that it would be interesting to face you. After all, I was given almost the same training as you to be able to stop you."

Neither could and bothered to count how many minutes – hours, almost – had passed when they paused to a steep cliff that opened up a fall into what seemed like bottomless canyon, his opponent stood mere inches from falling into nothingness.

His eyes flashed, hand placing a Kunai to the other's throat. " You failed", he pointed out.

There was a chuckle. " I'm afraid you're mistaken, Uchiha Sasuke", his opponent revealed, formally blue eyes changing, even white parts turning black. " You see, I can fly. The question goes… Can you?"

He frowned, but before he could ask for an explanation the attacker moved his hand, creating a huge gap to the ground.

Ground disappeared from underneath their feet.

The small room was dark when a hooded figure stood before Rin – who was currently unconscious and restrained by heavy, metallic binds – accompanied by Madara, Pein, Konan, Kisame and Zetsu.

Kisame smirked, shaking his head. " I seriously can't believe Danzou is this much of an idiot."

" When are we going to… take care of her?" Konan inquired, one hand resting on her slightly swollen bump.

" As soon as everyone required is present", Pein replied, his strange eyes flashing. " There's no point in wasting time when we're this close to our goal."

Face securely covered, the hooded one smirked. Everything was going exactly as planned. " Let's leave her to wake up, shall we?" a smooth voice stated. " I doubt she'd be going anywhere, and we have a lot of work to do."

Pein's eyes were somewhat dangerous for a moment, the leader not appreciating being commanded, but the man nodded nonetheless along with others.

While they started to walk away, a quite familiar voice echoed in the very back of the hooded one's skull. ' We've got what we want. Why don't you take care of these idiots already?'

' Not yet', came a firm argument. Hood covered changing expression. ' I know how much you'd love to get onto it already, but we still need them, just for now.'

' When is the right time?' irritated voice demanded.

Eyes flashed in the covers of fabric. ' Very soon', came almost purring response. ' It's only a matter of time before Naruto will be in our hands as well. And then…' Eyes gazed at the people on both sides and front. ' … we can finally get rid of these imbeciles.'

TBC, un!

1) Nope, you haven't missed a thing. I just figured that it'd be overwhelming for us all if EVERY first kiss would be written in. (winces)

A/N: (slams head against table) Yes, I did it again. It's a cliffie. (slams head again, this time with hand) BUT, apart from the usual chocolate and ice cream, I also offer you a possibility of some fluff if you carry on to the next chapter. Not telling you for which pairing(s), though. (grins mysteriously)

Eh, after spending too many hours on a computer, I think it's time to tune out. PLEASE, do ship out a review before you tune out, too, yeah? (gives ENORMOUS puppy-dog eyes) Aww, I know you want to – I can just feel it.

Until next time, everyone! See you around then, yeah?

Take care!

realityfling18: Ooh-yes – at this point, I suppose I could reveal that no character has been pulled in to just stand aside doing nothing. (winks)

Ravens rule! (waves flags)

A writer, huh? Wow! (blushes bright red) Man, would that be a dream come true! (sighs dreamily)

Loads and loads of thank yous for the baffling review – goodness, how happy I am to hear you've loved the story so far! I really hope you'll enjoy of the chapters to come as well.

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Becki Osborne: WOAH – you've spent THAT many hours with this story?! I'm absolutely speechless here!

ENORMOUS thank yous for the review – I'm absolutely overjoyed and flattered to hear you've enjoyed of the story so much so far! I really hope you'll like what's to come as well.