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Episode 25- Battlecry.

"Do you realize how much we suffered?" "How could you do this to us?"

Ino's voice had risen to a really high pitch as Sakura smiled nervously. It had been twenty minutes since she came here. First it was pleasant as everyone calmly listened to her news on the army coming to Konoha's aid. But then came Ino's guilty onslaught of 'how dare she's and other accusations.

"Ino. I said I'm sorry." Sakura guiltily looked down. Ino stopped and inhaled loudly. "Sorry?" She repeated the word at least two more times till her eyes became teary. "Do you think it'll do? I heard you getting killed, Sakura!" Tears were pouring down her face as Sakura's eyes narrowed in shame. "We all thought you were dead! I thought you were dead! "

Ino hugged her and cried as Sakura stilled. She had never seen her like this. Naruto had told her about the whole Sai and Ino's broken relationship scene. But he never mentioned, how much the news of her death had affected Ino. And now, as Sakura hugged her back and Ino's tears soaked her shoulder, all Sakura could do was smile sadly. "I'm sorry, Ino."

It took whole fifteen minutes more for Ino to calm down and when she finally hiccupped to a stop, Sakura look at everyone else, still holding Ino's hand, and spoke with a soft tone. "I'm sorry for all the trouble guys."

Shikamaru was the first one to speak. Smiling and shaking his head, he slowly patted her back and spoke in a loud clear voice, as if in a warning for the others. "Well, as long as you are with us now."

Sakura smiled at him and then her eyes landed on the clock, making her sigh. It was time. "Alright."

And as her face fell to the seriousness of the war, the group before her imitated her mood. In a careful speech, she laid out the plan for them.

"I think you all know now that Danzo was working for Akatsuki?" She paused as she faintly heard some curses. "Akatsuki is being led by Madara Uchiha."

"Uchiha, you say?" An elderly man spoke with disbelief. Sakura narrowed her eyes threateningly. "Yes." The man must have taken in on her message, because he silently nodded and looked down. Sakura inhaled and continued. "Their main agenda is to release Kaguya from her prison and plunge the world into a dream state. They've already got the eight demons from around the world for releasing her. All they need now is Naruto."

"Shouldn't he stay away from the fight then?" Neji's voice interrupted her. Sakura smiled and shook her head. "He'll be fine. Anyways…" Sakura looked and smirked. "Now, for who does what."

"Ino, you will join the civilian protection division. Here's the list of the names that'll join you." She handed the blonde a piece of paper and turned to Neji. "Tenten stays out." He nodded and thanked her, before she spoke again. "The rest of us. Legends will directly report to Lady Tsunade. The rest of the fighters, you will be given weapons soon. For you fight nothing ordinary today." She paused and looked at the clock again.

"Head to the gates, everyone. We move out now!"

-x-

Hinata closed her eyes and mumbled. "Heavenly stars of the ancient sky, lend me your eternal power. Byakugan." A bright violet light appeared around her before disappearing and leaving the veins around her eyes greatly visible. Naruto glanced her way and smiled. They were nearing the open ground beyond forest of death. The army had taken another route. Not from inside Konoha but through the outskirts. He looked at the visible tree line far away and looked away sadly. It was a place where he had spent his best times with Sasuke, Sakura and Hinata. But now…

"Stand down Uzumaki, Uchiha and Hyuuga. You're under arrest. All three of you!"

Naruto jumped as from behind the rocks came out twenty or so policemen. They had certainly startled the trio—him, Hinata and Sasuke, but they were not prepared for what happened next.

Sasuke glanced back as their troops appeared in the vicinity, some in sky, and some on ground. The men stopped their course at the sight of the army, dropped their guns and gaped. Naruto grinned at the sight of the international alliance and spoke with his hands on his waist. "Yeah, we don't think so." His grin widened as the men started running away at the site. And as the alliance moved ahead to the battlefield, Naruto's hand found Hinata's.

"Today we set things right."

-x-

"Careful!" Ino caught Tenten as she tripped. Her eyes flitted to the panicking crowd. "Moegi!" She called a girl running wildly around, trying to calm a group of civilians. They were all being led to the underground bunkers laid in a maze like pattern under Konoha. The girl rushed to Ino and spoke with an urgency. "We can't control the crowd like this." "I know." Ino's eyes narrowed as she spotted a bus on the road. "Moegi, take care of Tenten. Make sure nothing happens to her." The girl nodded and grabbed Tenten's hands carefully before leading her through the crowd. Ino teetered on her spot before making her way over to the bus.
If she was to control the crowd she had to get higher and louder. Louder… She thought and looked around. "There was an announcement team…" She spotted the old lady fumbling with a microphone and ran for her.

Tenten stopped and looked back at the spot where Ino was before. "Where'd she go?" She asked the redhead accompanying her. Moegi looked at her and then back where Ino left her. "She must've gone to get help."

"Everyone listen up!" Ino's shrill voice echoed in the vicinity as all heads turned to the bus.

Moegi gaped and shook her head "What is she doing?"

Ino inhaled as she saw people still trying to ignore her and get ahead. She motioned the old lady to increase the volume of the microphone. The old lady gave her thumbs up, motioning her to speak. Ino inhaled till her cheeks puffed before shouting in the microphone.

"Listen up!" Her shout was accompanied by screech of the speakers. Tenten and Moegi placed their hands over their ear. Ino looked at the crowd again. Finally, their attention was on her. She took this opportunity to speak again.

"Konoha has enough space in the bunkers to fit at least twice the population of the town. We're evacuating to save lives. So, please do not reduce our numbers by causing unnecessary panic or stampede! Now—

"Everyone proceed in an orderly fashion. We have medics and military supports stationed around you for your assistance. Keep an eye around you…"

Tenten looked at Ino with admiration. Gone was the girl who was crying over her relationship. This girl was a totally different persona. No more crying for fashion or boys but a girl who was doing everything in her power to calm an entire town. From her side Moegi expressed her awe too. "Ms. Ino is great, isn't she?"

Tenten smiled and nodded, before placing a hand over her belly. "I guess war changes everybody."

-x-

"Is everyone safely in?" Ino asked Moegi. The girl nodded and looked at the now closing gates. "Good." Moegi's eyes narrowed in sorrow as her lips trembled. "What about the war? Can't we do anything?" Ino patted her head. "We are helping. We're supposed to protect the innocent." Moegi nodded and turned to see the last of the light beyond the gate. "I just… Konohamaru is—" "He'll be fine."

Ino's smile turned into horror as one of the guards was thrown back. "What?" She shoved Moegi behind her and widened her eyes. "What's happening?" She shouted as suddenly the guards started firing out the gates. Ino rushed to the fallen guard and helped him up. "They're trying to get inside!"

"WE CAN'T STOP THEM!"
"The guns aren't enough!"
"Use the enchanted weapons!"

She stood covering the trembling Moegi's form. "What do we do?" She asked her. "If they get in here—"

"They won't! Have faith!" Ino looked at her and then back at the guards. If only… Her thoughts were cut short as suddenly a guard shouted. Soon, the rest put down their guns and looked outside happily. Ino hurried to the gate. "What's going on?"
"He saved us!"
"Who?"
"A legend! He was flying on a bird!"

The guards told her about him happily, but she was still to see the one who stopped the assault. One of the guards in the front turned back to the gatekeeper. "He's asking us to close our gates…"

The guards repeated his command as the gates started closing again. Ino groaned as she stood on her toes to see who their savior was. And as she caught a glimpse on their protector; she lost her balance and was caught by Moegi. But as the gates finally closed with a loud bang, she could only repeat one name in her mind and lips.

"Sai…"

-x-

"Don't waver!" Naruto's shout echoed as several attacks were launched at their direction from the opposite side. Fireballs, water jets, and all kinds of magical spell were thrown at their running troops. From behind him he heard Hinata's voice shout.

"Shielders, brace yourselves!"

A moment later the oncoming attacks were blocked by an invisible force field. He knew what she had done—combining all the defense magic casters' powers and casting one shield around the entire fleet. "Get going!" Naruto shouted again, progressing through destroyed grounds. He could see the enemy's front line. Soon, they would reach them and the real battle would begin. He started counting. "Ten, nine, eight—"

Sasuke narrowed his eyes as the air around him kept getting thicker with dust, smoke and what not. He could see the enemy line closing in and his hold on his sword tightened. He too started counting as in a flash, he was by Naruto's side. "Seven, six, five, four…"

-x-

Sakura eyed the battle field below them. "Thanks for the ride." She mumble to the Kazekage—Gaara and looked down again. Not waiting to see if anyone followed her, she leapt off the floating sand and waited to land. I'm counting on you, Chouji. She thought as she braced herself.
Chouji Akimichi saw Sakura jump from the Kazekage's floating sand and she was falling fast. He knew what he had to do. Closing his eyes for a moment, he huffed loudly. "I ask my vessel to bend to my command. I ask my body to heed my will. Expansion stage three!" His eyes opened as his hand extended beyond human capability to grab the falling comrade and safely landed her amongst the frontal assault team.

"Chouji the others!" Sakura shouted before running away to catch up with Naruto and Sasuke. Chouji nodded and looked to the others falling over the field, while Sakura huffed as she caught up with Sasuke and Naruto. They were almost there. Only a few seconds till they hit the first line of the enemy. She started counting out loud, along with the other two.

"Three, two, one…"

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The story is reaching its climax soon…So starting typing good words of encouragement for me, please!
10 more chaps till the story ends… stay tuned for the end coz I've got some surprises for ya'll!
((good surprises, I promise!))
R&R