Konoha

I told the others to go ahead to the Uchiha compound since I needed some time to think to myself they all nodded, reluctantly though, and went back to our temporary home while I walked the streets of Konoha alone. Or so I thought.

I looked down at my feet stopping my thought of the upcoming war, and saw that there was sand whirling around my feet which could mean only one thing. Gaara was transporting to my location.

I was proven right when a sand form of Gaara came in front of me, and then as the sand flew away it revealed Gaara standing in all his glory in front of me with a slight smile on his face.

I smiled back and said, "Hey Gaara what's up?"

He then put his hand on my shoulder (his form of a hug) and said in his deep voice, "I think the question is how you are Sakura? You know it has been a long time."

I gave him a playful grin and said, "Well first I'm going to give you a proper hug," as I said this I wrapped my arms around his tall form. I felt him smile into my shoulder as he hugged me back, albeit a bit awkward.

We pulled back at the same time and I said, "Let's find a place to sit down and talk. Sound good to you?"

He nodded and followed me as I led him to Team 7's old training ground. When we got there we sat under a tree looking over at the water that was sparkling from the many stars outside tonight. We sat in silence for a while just looking out at the water just as we used to do in Suna, except we were looking out at the vast desert.

He sighed and turned his body to me getting my attention. He looked straight into my eyes and said in a concerned voice, "Are you sure that you are alright?"

I gave a nervous laugh and said, "Why wouldn't I be?"

He gave me that look and said, "At the meeting something happened within your mind and it seemed painful. And you being a target in the war must add some pressure as well as being one of the generals. There are a million things that I could name off but you already know what they are Sakura."

I sighed and ran a hand through my long hair. Gaara was right. I was stressed out, tired, and scared. I knew that I could lose my loved ones in this war; I knew that this war was partially being fought to protect me and the others, and being the Amekage and leader of the Joint Shinobi forces was starting to come to my attention. It was just too many things at once I guess.

Gaara sat there arms crossed waiting for my answer so I huffed and said, "Of course I'm stressed out and worried. I mean…who knows I could end up getting my division killed or they might not want to be led by someone who could be thought of as a monster. And Madara won't stop until he gets what he wants at least that's what his thoughts said and-" I stopped mid-sentence (rant) noticing my slip up.

'Look who's screwed!' My demon laughed.

Crap…not good, I thought.

I looked up from the lake to see a neutral look on Gaara's face. That was quiet surprising since I know that he noticed my slip up too.

"So you can read minds, thought so."

What. The. Hell.

"Wait what do you mean I thought so? Did Naruto tell you because if he did I'm going to kill the little baka," I said giving Gaara a hard stare and cracking my knuckles.

He put his hand on my shoulder to calm me down, which kind of worked, and said, "No Naruto did not tell me anything. I just figured it out on my own."

"Huh?" was my logical response.

He gave me a small smile as he sat against the tree again and said, "You always seemed to know what was on my mind and how I was feeling. I knew that I could put up a pretty good mask so I wondered how you knew everything. So I did a little…research and found out that there have been some excellent ninja's in the past that had the ability to read minds though it was very rare."

I took in the information seeing how smart my Kazekage friend was and then asked in a quiet voice, "So you're not mad about this ability?"

He gave me the eye that said look-who-is-the-stupid-one-today and said, "Why would you even think that? I know that I can trust you so there is nothing to worry about. Plus without your mind reading skills we would have never found out about Madara and his true plans for our world. I say that it is a good thing Sakura."

I gave him one of my bright smiles and said, "Thanks Gaara."

He gave a grunt in recognition and then said, "Am I the only one that finds it funny that the two youngest Kages are the leaders of the army?"

I laughed at his attempted humor and said, "No Sasori thought that it was pretty funny too. But I think my brother got a kick out of it," and then I added, "Oh and you don't have to fear Sasori or Deidara at all. They are actually pretty good guys, they want peace just as much as we do, and they know that if they tried to do anything against you they would have to deal with me."

Gaara nodded and said, "I will trust them for now…it's Kankuro and Temari you are going to have to worry about."

"Great," I said knowing that those two were trouble when they wanted to be.

Madara's Base

Kakuzu was observing the scene before him. Everyone was working; getting prepared for the war that was practically at their doorstep considering how close Konoha was to Sound. Hidan was sharpening his scythe, Kabuto was going over his Impure Summoning's, Zetsu was cloning more of his white half somewhere, Kakuzu himself was making sure that all of his tendrils were working properly…and Kakuzu had no idea what exactly Madara was doing.

The first time Kakuzu looked over at Madara he had been going over his plans to catch Itachi and Sakura and how Hidan and Kakuzu would capture the tailed-beasts. Then when Kakuzu looked back at him again after a few minutes, Madara was sitting in a corner mumbling to himself; he had now been doing this for the past 30 min.

Deciding that he should see what Madara was up to Kakuzu walked over to Madara to hear him say, "Madara bad boy, Tobi good boy, Madara bad boy, Tobi bad boy, Madara very bad boy, Tobi very good boy." He kept his mantra going until Kakuzu coughed to get his attention having heard enough of Madara's ramblings.

And he's the evil mastermind? Kakuzu thought to himself.

Madara looked around as he stopped talking and said to himself, "Why am I on the floor?"

"You were saying 'Tobi good boy, Madara bad boy' over and over Madara-sama," Kakuzu answered for him.

Madara got up and gave Kakuzu a chilling glare from his one-holed mask. "That damn persona is more of a problem than I thought. You will speak of this to no one got that?"

Kakuzu nodded and then headed back to what he was doing making sure not to look back at Madara for fear that he would use his Shaningan on him.

Konoha

Gaara and I had been catching up and talking battle plans for the past two hours. It felt good to talk to one of my closer friends again. I have always valued my friendship with the young Kazekage; my respect for him also increased when I found out how hard being a Kage was. Being a Kage Was pretty damn hard. Plus him just being here and accepting my mind reading ability made me very happy. Gaara was had always been the person I wanted to talk to when I wanted someone that was level-headed. The other people I had for advice was the baka, Naruto, and my overprotective surrogate father, Kakashi. So Gaara was a whole lot better.

We were getting into who would be best for the Six Divisions when we heard rustling in the bushes form in front of us. We both jumped up, I had my Rinnegan on and Gaara had his arms crossed with sand pouring out of his gourd. We were both prepared to attack any unwanted guests.

I was about to use my 'Pull' technique when out of the bushes came none other than Sasuke Uchiha.

When we saw who he was I turned off my Rinnegan and Gaara put down his sand but not without him saying, "What do you want Uchiha?"

Gaara didn't sound too happy about Sasuke interrupting our battle plans and neither was I. I really didn't want to see him at all and I wanted to put off our talk as long as I could, hoping that he would forget. Looks like he didn't.

"Gaara I-" Sasuke was saying until he was cut off by Gaara.

"That's Kazekage to you Uchiha.

Sasuke looked like he was trying to burn holes in Gaara's head, and Gaara was doing the same. I sweat dropped and said, "What are you doing here Sasuke?"

Sasuke took one final look at Gaara and said, "I was out for a walk. Naruto's a deep sleeper so he didn't notice me leave."

That's right Naruto's supposed to be watching him…Nice job Naruto.

"Well you can walk somewhere else; we are talking over battle plans for war at the moment Uchiha. Considering that we are the two head Generals I think you should give us some time to make our plans," Gaara said his voice tinged with anger. Boy did he not like Sasuke.

"I actually need to talk to Sakura Kazekage. I believe that she owes me a talk," Sasuke said while spitting out Gaara's title.

"She owes you nothing Uchi-" Gaara was saying till I cut him off.

"Gaara…I promised Naruto that I would talk to him, and you know that I don't break my promises. We can talk over more of the plans tomorrow or something. I'll see you later," I said leaving no room for argument.

Gaara sighed and looked me dead in the eye and said, "Get me if you need anything."

At this I scoffed at him and said, "Though your concern is noted you of all people know that I don't need any protection."

Gaara nodded and left the training ground but not before saying to Sasuke, "Watch what you say Uchiha." Then he left leaving me and Sasuke alone at Team 7's old training ground.

We stood in silence for a moment till Sasuke said, "Let me say what I have to say then you can make your comments, alright with you?"

I crossed my arms, my hair blew with the wind, and nodded at him.

He looked at me straight in the eyes and said, "It is true that I did leave at first for power, but that's not the only reason. What you, Naruto, and Kakashi didn't know was that Orochimaru came to me personally before I left and told me that if I didn't come with him he would destroy everything that I held precious in the Leaf; Team 7. I couldn't let that happen to you guys so I went with him."

He waited for a reaction but I gave him none; my mask was on. I motioned him to continue with a nod of my head.

"When I was training to get stronger to kill my brother, I was also training so that I could protect you guys. You were like my family and you have absolutely no idea how difficult it was for me to fight you and Naruto with killing intent. You have to understand that I had to or Orochimaru would know that something was wrong. And when I found out that Orochimaru was after you the entire time breaking our deal, I disposed of him and came here. And now that I know the truth about my family's demise I want to recreate the bond I once had with my brother…and I would like to keep the bond between Team 7 as well."

He crossed his arms and looked at me, showing me that it was my turn to talk. What he said came as a slight shock to me because as he talked I read his mind to see if he was lying; he wasn't.

I gave a big sigh and ran a hand through my hair saying, "Okay I can tell that you're not lying…but that doesn't mean that I can forgive you that easily for hurting me and Naruto all these years. Yes I too want the bond between Team 7 to be there again, but we just have to get used to each other again and forgive I guess. You may have Naruto's forgiveness but remember that I'm not as forgiving as him…Danzo is proof of that."

At hearing Danzo's name Sasuke said, "What could Danzo have possibly done to you?"

I gave him a slight glare and said, "If he can order an entire clan to be wiped out by Itachi then I think that he is also able to steal my memories and seal a demon inside of me. I don't think that I will ever be able to forgive that monster."

Sasuke took a step closer to me, we were now one foot apart, and he said, "Looks like the same bastard screwed both of us over. Well that's something we have in common; we both want the man dead."

"And that's where you are wrong Sasuke; I don't want him dead I want him locked up in prison for the rest of his life to rot. Rotting slowly is much more torture than dying," I said anger laced in my words.

He gave me a pointed look and said, "You're not the same. When we were younger you never wanted to kill people."

I gave a humorless laugh and said, "Well I changed when you left. I don't love you anymore, I'm much stronger than before, and now I'm an Amekage. Team 7 has changed, we have to for this war…and I have a feeling that you, Naruto, and I are the ones that are going to finish off Madara."

At this Sasuke crossed his arms and said, "What gives you that idea?"

I crossed my arms as well and said, "Madara wants us, he wants to use us for his goals. What if that means that we are the only people that I have a chance at killing him? I think that I'm going to have you and Naruto in my division so that if a chance to take Madara comes we will be ready. Plus when I get these feelings I'm usually right."

He looked at me seriously then said, "So the war is going to come down to you, me, and Naruto? Hn, guess we will have to work on our teamwork."

I smirked and said, "Got that right…Sasuke."

5 days later: Fire Country, Joint Shinobi Force HQ

I just got done with our final Kage meeting and was now walking through HQ. The looks I got from people ranged from happy, neutral, angry, to downright terrified. I guess not many people like me considering the few ninja that smiled at me were from Konoha, Suna, or Ame. The meeting we had just had was for the final placement of those shinobi who were in the Divisions or Ambush.

I was now heading to my family's tent (all the Kages and me and my brother decided that since people might want to kill us on sight that we should all stay together) to tell them all what Divisions they were in.

When I got to the tent I saw that Sasori and Deidara were arguing about art again while Itachi and Kisame were sitting and eating, Konan came a couple days ago after the villagers of Ame were evacuated into Suna's underground bunker, and somehow Pein had gotten here before me. It was weird that whenever we came from a meeting he would always beat me to the tent.

I looked at Pein and said, "Did you tell them what Divisions they were in?"

"I was going to leave that to you Sakura," Pein said.

"Lazy ass," I muttered under my breath.

"I heard that," Pein said in turn.

Getting annoyed I started to play with my chakra earrings as I got everyone's attention to tell them what Division they were in.

"Okay guys here are your army Divisions. Deidara since you are good at surprise attacking with your bombs you are going to be in the Ambush Division led by Kankuro, and if I find out that the two of you are fighting I will make it my personal job to kick both of your asses," I said to Deidara.

He gulped and nodded his head.

"Itachi and Kisame, since you two work well together you will be together in Division 6 with me," I said making Kisame give a toothy smile and Itachi a smirk.

"And Sasori you will be in Divisions 1 with Kakashi, and since Division 1, 6, and Gaara's number 5 we will be seeing a lot of each other still," I said now facing Sasori.

He gave a small nod but his mind felt happy that I was going to be close by so that he could watch me.

"And Konan will be with me and the other Kages," Pein said, "We need to-"

Pein was cut off when someone entered the tent. That someone was a giant man with white hair that I noticed was Naruto's old teacher, Jiraiya.

"Looks like Tsunade wasn't lying…it is really you Yahito and Konan too," Jiraiya said in his deep voice.

"Actually Jiraiya Yahito died…I'm really Nagato in Yahito's body," Pein said showing his Rinnegan eyes to Jiraiya.

The only person that was in shock of this news was Jiraiya considering me and the rest of the Akatsuki already knew who Pein really was. I never called him by his real name because I had grown up calling him Pein and nothing else.

"We will explain later Jiraiya," Konan said from Pein's side.

Jiraiya sighed and said, "Alright," then he looked at me and said, "Nagato is Sakura your sister?"

"Yes she is. Why do you need to know?" He said getting protective.

He gave me a funny look and then snapped his fingers saying, "I knew you looked familiar Sakura. You were that baby Nagato was always carrying around. I always thought that was you but I thought that it was impossible for you to be his sister. Huh…actually this would be a good story line for my next book."

Jiraiya then got out his notebook and started to write. I knew what his books were like but before I could take away his writing book Pein was there in a second and snatched the book out of his hands.

"I would appreciate it if you didn't use me and Sakura for one of your novels," Pein said sounding slightly disgusted.

Jiraiya put his hands up saying, "Hey come on, my next story was going to be a serious one not like any of my other masterpieces."

"Uh huh masterpieces," I said.

Jiraiya ignored my comment and asked me, "So I hear that you are one of the leading generals Sakura. Congratulations. It's also good to see that you have gotten much stronger than the last time I saw you."

I rubbed the back of my head and said, "Well I guess having the Rinnegan also helps quite a bit."

He nodded and looked at Pein and Konan saying, "We'll catch up later, I need to go see Naruto."

And with that he left.

"Hey, un, is that the perverted guy that writes porn?" Deidara asked.

"Yeah I think he was," Kisame said.

As the two chatted on about Jiraiya I looked at my family and gave a smile. Yes I knew war was a bad thing but I had a feeling that it wouldn't be as bad as it could be because we were working together with the other nations. I just hoped none of us would die in the process.

~Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto just the plot.

And there you have it! I really love Jiraiya so I had to have him come in here somewhere since Pein didn't kill him in my story. Tell me what you thought:) and Thank you once again to Ebeth who gave me the Tobi good boy Madara bad boy part!

Thank you to all that reviewed! Please review again:)

Oh and just so you guys know since this is my first year of high school I will be very busy so please be patient with me, thank you!