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Chapter 29

Be kind to thy father, for when thou wert young/Who loved thee so fondly as he/He caught the first accents that fell from thy tongue/And joined in thy innocent glee.

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Among the mountain of white, Shizune looked quite lost and distressed. Her hair thrust out rebelliously in unsystematic directions, she ran a clammy hand over one of the unruly spikes currently pointing to the north-west, and if she hadn't been in such a hurry she would have noticed her black locks had been drastically changed into a three-dimensional compass.

"Tsunade-sama... Tsunade-sama!" She was afraid to shout and merely spoke a tone higher then usual, it was better not to disturb the mountains of white–from experience–she would rather not be engulfed in the deathly torrents of the snowy shade.

Sidling past a particularly tall stack she finally emerged and collapsed panting heavily into a chair waiting for her and tossed the file onto the desk. The file landed onto a cluster of chaotic empty sake bottles, the unmoving form moaned, muttering a few vulgar words and grasped the mass of blond protruding out in similar compass-like directions. Dark hazel eyes blinked groggily then lifting her head up and leaning against her robe covered elbows the Fifth Hokage sat up properly and eyed her similarly exhausted apprentice.

"What is it Shizune?"

The medic eyed the older woman for a moment then motioned to the cramped area around them, Tsunade followed her action, a grimace overcoming her features, she rubbed her head, pushing back the blond strands fallen over her face. "You really need to sort out this paperwork Tsunade-sama; before you know it it'll be tumbling out the windows and squeezing under the doors!"

"Hai hai," Tsunade grumbled and picked up the papers on her desk, her brow creased as she pushed away the empty alcohol bottles into a nearby overflowing bin, "….. Damnit."

Pushing another irritating strand of hair away from her pale face Shizune peered cautiously over the bottle infested desk, one hand resting on the smeared wood she blinked back worriedly, "what's wrong?"

Tsunade rubbed a grubby hand through her hair, she looked weary, recently she'd been feeling quite under the weather, probably due to the mountain of paperwork drained down with copious bottles of sake at the local pub, nonetheless the whole ordeal was taking it's toll on her aging body, true she may come across as a young woman with an overly large bust but inside…. –that was another story.

"It's the Elders….. you know throughout my time as Hokage I've never found any use for them," she shrugged at her apprentices appalled look, "it's true Shizune–even now they won't rest, they keep pressurising me with the war, giving me 'so called' ideas and plans to protect the village and frankly its driving me mad!"

Shizune patted her arm with a sympathising smile, "just ignore them Tsunade-sama, you're the Hokage and you're in charge, now come on it's time to clear out all this paperwork"

It was customary for Tsunade to sit up, re-tie her hair into the usual two pig-tails, then pick up all the sake bottles, toss them in a bag and hail the whole thing out of the window–insert both of the apprentice's wince and sending an ANBU to make sure to passers–by have not been hit by the falling bag, note–keep a medic team on hold just in case–then she would dust her hands in a satisfied manner, turn on the lights, whip out a pen, holler for some 'bloody cheese and crackers' and get straight into work under the joyful and watchful eye of her two wonderful apprentices.

Shizune was worried.

She rested her other arm on the sticky desk. Her eyes analysing her teacher's unmoving form, she lay slumped over the document, her eyes unfocused as though in some sort of daze, Shizune knew it wasn't the contents of the document, more likely something else. And she was determined to get it out of her long-time friend.

"What's wrong?"

For a split second her blond hair shuddered then with a rush of the wind and the uplifting of dusty papers Tsunade smiled, a pen in one hand and a dark bag in the other, with one swift move it was filled with the empty sake bottles and the door open wide accepting the flying bag, a low crash was heard followed by a screech. Both women winced and Tsunade smiled sheepishly at Shizune, she started to gather up the paperwork, Shizune watching her silently.

She cleared her throat, "now will you tell me?" She inwardly smirked at the surprised look sweeping over her companions face, of course when she acted in the usual rejoinder which Shizune expected she could tell the veil which stayed. It wasn't through her eyes Shizune knew Tsunade could easily master her emotions as any shinobi could nor her actions which gave her away. In fact Shizune didn't even know what gave Tsunade away, perhaps it was all those features, all fastened together to make a full circle, it was an instinct, grown from years of travelling with her emotions, actions, voices, atmosphere–all of these things.

"Is it Sakura?"

Surprised, the Hokage turned to face her. She sank down in her seat, releasing the papers. Letting them flutter down at their feet, looking more vulnerable then she'd ever seen her. "Is it that obvious?"

Walking around the desk her student squeezed her arm, her lips curving into a fond smile, "to me, yes."

Tsunade straightened, both hands placed flat onto the desk, she didn't look up, "it's the elders of course! Sakura's true identity has set off many rumours and gossips. It's like the whole stigma with Naruto," her left hand curled into a fist, "now we have two Jinchuuriki residing in Konoha, danger for Konoha not only safety wise but also two magnets for the Akatsuki."

"Not to mention our two immigrants, Sakura's brother may not have a problem, as a survivor of one of the most famous clans existing in our world but that boy–Kazuki," she rubbed her head but continued on, "he's a problem, as Sound has waged war he is technically speaking an enemy."

Shizune didn't let go, "and what else?"

If Shizune's previous words hadn't shocked Tsunade her persistent prompts blew her away, she wondered for a split second if a highly skilled assassin had replaced her apprentice but quickly waved that off, the alcohol was clearly getting into her brain. Propping her elbows onto the sticky table she raised her eyebrows at the raven-haired woman, "someone's very intrigued aren't they?" She remarked her eyes dancing with brief amusement.

Her apprentice shrugged, "it's not wrong to see what's worrying a friend now is it?"

In spite of the ever growing fatigue Tsunade managed a crooked smile, "You're right there," she sighed.

Tsunade cut the silence short, "they're blaming her for all this, the war, our new enemy, obviously. It's so hard, so hard to control my anger, whenever they speak their tone…" she trails off suggestively, before beginning again. "'She's nothing but a menace, ever since she's returned, bringing her dangerous brother and that boy– hiding an enemy in our own home–it's a disgrace," she mimicked their words with disgust, Shizune contained to watch, eyes unemotional, "they're blind…."

Shizune contained to watch her, Tsunade caught her speculative look and couldn't help the smile, "I'm glad I let that out," she heaved another sigh, "I just want it all to end."

Shizune squeezed her arm tight, "don't worry, before you know it we'll be back to normal," then with the most comforting smile she could muster she sat up and swept out of the room.

Amber eyes followed the black head as it disappeared, lost in thought. Would it all end? Could they ever get through this ugly storm, evading the sharp lightening, wincing as the torrents of rain punctured their skin, burning into their very bones. Would it ever end, this mass of new sin waiting to foray the clean grassy meadows and hundreds of lives?

Another heavy sigh as Tsunade brought both hands to cradle her heavy temple, eventually the aftermath would arrive, but at which consequences? A destroyed village? Hundreds of lives tossed away into the welcoming mother earth? What right did she have to bring this obvious danger onto her innocent people? Millions of questions assaulted her mind one after the other, until finally she found the strength to push them back.

Adrenaline rushed through her veins as she pushed the chair back, ignoring it's squeals of protest she allowed it to clatter to the floor, the deep honey had disappeared only to be replaced with a dark treacle shade, hands moved furiously opening and slamming the drawers ignoring their trembles and shrieks. Finally, the noise stopped, allowing her to succumb to the hard surface of the muddled flooring. She cradled the object with atypical delicacy, rough hands sweeping over its glassy surface, dark treacle gazing meaningfully at it, filled with anger and dejection.

Her mouth had a funny taste in it, she hissed distastefully arm raised in mid-air, the object flew across, cutting the dusty particles, landing roughly near an untouched cabinet, shards of glass pierced the floor but she didn't seem too bothered, blinking back the moisture from her eyes she bent her head staring down at her unmarked hands.

She couldn't think, her energy drained, she glanced back up at the silver frame, cracked and indented from her forceful throw of fury. Her mind blanched, all the questions seemed to have glided away just like the silver frame, effortlessly sweeping away, and she'd pushed them away just like she's pushed her questions away, swiftly and without another thought.

Then, she stood up and stared wistfully at the fallen frame, walking over her fingers hovered over it hesitantly, then with fluid movement dark treacle stared down at the three faces, absorbing each and every detail, moving her lips quietly to herself she watched as it tumbled away into the black bag followed by various other pieces of rubbish.

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Hinata watched the gentle glow of the object in Shikamaru's hand, their eyes met and he raised his hand to his face, letting the orange glow reflect off his dark eyes. He smirked at her and she could tell he saw her distasteful glare at the cigarette.

They had camped at a small inlet not far from the village but far enough to keep them away from prying eyes. It was late in the night when they had finally arrived from their deathly exhausting climb from the towering mountains which encircled the Rock Village.

Leaning back comfortably against the wall the young Nara released his breath, watching blankly the dark rings of smoke drifting away into the darkness, out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of the young Hyuuga heiress' repulsed look and smirked, a flash of his blond girlfriend appeared in his mind, he vaguely wondered what she was up to right now and then remembered his own situation. The cigarette fell to the floor, squashed by a booted foot, its owner leaned off the wall catching his team-mates attention. They both silently nodded. The small fire was instantly put out by a sudden rush of wind, a wandering deer nearby raised its head in alarm, its ears twitching and straining for danger. Satisfied, it continued walking finally stopping and sniffing the recently put out fire, abruptly its legs folded in so it was sitting comfortably. Everything had returned back to normal.

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Hinata let out a breath, feeling her tension leave with it, and quickly twisted in the Nara's direction ready for the order. A shift in the darkness and she quickly moved, she paid no attention to the body beside her, letting her body freefall allowing gravity to coil it's way through her torso. Landing on her feet, she straightened her legs feeling two soft thumps beside her.

The room was very large, she looked up to the large domed ceiling she had just leapt from, it seemed such a long way standing from below and gazing at the carved stone intricate details. The walls were painted a dark green colour and in some places bathed in gold. A few large portraits hung on the large walls, their detail shying from the dim lights.

Softly smoothing his hands over the kunai tucked in his shirt Kiba strained his eyes forward. Twitching his nose the faint usual human scent filled his nostrils and he quickly flicked his wrist. Two pairs of eyes were on him at once and he quickly stared straight at the darkness ahead, both of them quickly understood. Hinata slightly widened her stance keeping her hands by her sides, her clan ability activated she saw the group of figures stand motionless, their faces swilled in their direction. Shikamaru watched with feign interest, his hands tucked in his pockets fingering a shuriken, he had already scanned the area and couldn't help and overwhelming sense of buoyancy, the whole room was covered with shade, filling the corners rolling over the floor, a room filled to his advantage, sending his mind reeling with idea's–if anything went wrong which he hoped wouldn't happen–all which would hold success. The sudden swift movement caught Shikamaru's eye, his two comrades tensed beside him, however he remained unruffled.

The light revealed two men, one very bulky and of middle height, shrewd grey eyes with a curled mouth, not to mention the posture of overconfidence- something Shikamaru kept in mind- the second man was taller. More gangly with careless floppy hair and bright blue eyes, -wide with excitement- the only thing which made him look similar to the first man was a long thin scar trailing from the side of his hairline right across the bridge of his nose and ending near the corner of his lip, giving him a constant smirking expression.

"Welcome to Iwagakure!"

Hinata's face remained emotionless, byakugan eyes examining the room, forcing herself not to tremble she reminded herself to be strong, for Sakura. None of them spoke, the silence blaring in their ears with only the tension banging across the room clashing with the malicious auras of the two men in front of them.

The shorter of the two seemed to sizing them all up, his beady eyes running across Shikamaru's relaxed posture and lingering on Hinata's eyes, Hinata soon realised what he was doing. He was observing them, contemplating their power and if he could defeat them or not. Her jaw tightened, they would not be defeated.

The silence broke off with Shikamaru's lazy voice, "we are here to see the Tsuchikage, it's a matter of emergency," he added.

The shorter man let out a laugh, or in Hinata's opinion a raspy cough, she could hear a distinct growl from Kiba's side and Shikamaru raised his eyebrows.

The man stopped laughing and turned to the taller man, "you hear that Jun," he let out a low sneering laugh, "these kids want to see the Tsuchikage, say it's a matter of emergency," he said mocking Shikamaru's voice.

Jun nodded, his eyes were shining malevolently, "shall we give them a reply?" His voice was low and breathless; the Hyuuga heiress suppressed a shiver. Something about him made her mind tell her to high tail it out of there, his voice was more like a hiss then anything else and the way his face gleamed with his blue eyes wide and feral made her insides squirm. But she refused to step back.

"Jun… Kenji…." The voice echoed around the room, out of the shadows stepped a man dressed in dark coloured robes, his whole attire suggested him as the Tsuchikage. The hat shaded his eyes making it unknown as to if he was a friend or foe however one look at his unconcealed face and Hinata's heart sank.

It was all over now.

"Can we master?" Jun asked excitedly, Kenji remained silent his eyes struck on the young Nara bloodlust dancing in his eyes, he licked his lips.

Before the Tsuchikage could reply another pair of footsteps echoed around the room. This time more slower and forceful, Hinata focused her eyes into the darkness, her heart fell further down, the ground seemed to vibrate beneath them, trembling with the rhythm oh the footsteps.

Tap

Tap

Tap

Oh no

Hinata's pupil-less eyes widened considerably and Kiba cursed. Shikamaru however remained silent his eyes wandered over the new figure then stuck on the shadows. They didn't have much time left now that Iwagakure had revealed their true colours, their main priority now was to get out and inform the Hokage as soon as possible, showing panic in the face of the enemy instantly made them victorious.

He observed them with composed emerald eyes, a small smile playing on his lips. "If the fire village wishes to go against me," the smile curled, "then I will crush it with my earth." It was the last thing he said before turning around retreating back into the darkness.

Just as Hinata and Kiba were about to launch themselves his rough voice spoke once more from the growing shadows.

"Kill them."

And the room was sent into chaos.

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On her guard Ino took a step forward, her eyes trained only on the Raikage sitting a few feet away from her on the raised platform she cleared her throat ready to speak.

"Raikage-sama," she bowed in respect, "Konohagakure wishes to strike an alliance with Kumogakure in order that we can come together and defeat Otagakure."

Once she's finished she quickly stepped back in line with her companions, Sai remained impassive as ever and she couldn't really see Shino's expression under the coat and glasses.

Some team-mates they were.

The girls blue eyes wandered across the dimly lit room her gaze stopping on the Lightening guards, there were six of them in total stationed strategically around the room. Her hand lightly patted her thigh, hovering over the kunai pouch, from the corner of her eye spotted one of the guards finger the katana on his back eyeing them. She quickly looked away, not wanting to catch his eye, they were in unknown territory now, outnumbered and alone it wasn't safe to provoke, whatever they did they had to do it with a cool hand.

Easier said then done.

No matter how hard she tried to pacify her instincts she couldn't help that sensation of dread. The minute she had set foot in the village the hairs at the back of her neck had prickled, all the signs were their staring at them in the face waiting for the realisation to set in. The immediate shortage of civilians and ninja, the strange behaviour of the people they had see and even the terrifying eeriness of the streets sent the impression that they were wandering in a ghost town.

Sai shifted next to her and immediately her eyes were on him concentrating on his face. He didn't look at her, his eyes were trained on the Raikage, dark black narrowed and for a fraction of a second Ino could have sworn shed seen a flicker of panic in them before they settled back to midnight.

She continued watching him, her face strained in concentration, waiting for it.

It came quicker then expected, ending as fast as it came but enough for her and this time her hand fully clasped the kunai.

'It's a trap'

"Well, well well….. If it isn't Konoha's shinobi."

The pronouncement ricocheted around the room, unsure as to where it was coming from Ino twisted her head trying to catch the source.

The loud footsteps brought her back to the front, blocking the Raikage from view a tall lithe woman stood, her hair was short and cropped, dark purple bangs covering one eye while the revealed amber pupil stared down at them, a confident smirk playing on her face with a striking confident posture to go with it.

The only girl observed the woman with distaste, her eyes were bewildered at her clothing, black tight pants with dark purple spiked boots with only a purple half cut jacket exposing a flat stomach, the blond sniffed distastefully, eyeing her lack of clothing, 'god, talk about a fashion mistake'. Her eyes wandered down her dark high heeled boots, 'and how an earth can you battle in those heels?'

"Sorry to burst your bubble but…" she gave a mean smile, "Lightening has already sided with Sound."

The air was suddenly full of the swishing of cloaks. Behind the tall columns, behind the large desk ninja's were materialising. All of them hooded and armed with various weapons. And one by one they moved to the centre…. Slowly, menacingly, as though they were waiting for something. The three Leaf shinobi quickly got into their positions, covering each others backs as the hooded figures encircled them. Standing behind the group the woman sneered at the three Konoha shinobi. The plan was going smoothly and those idiots hadn't suspected a thing, she turned back to stare at the Raikage, laughing slightly as he struggled under the binds, his eyes wide with fear while his shouts remained muffled by the gag.

Turning back on the task in hand she cleared her throat catching their attention and speaking with authority, "get rid of them," before stepping back until she was in the Raikage's line. Bending close to his ear her whisper was low and nearly inaudible but the venom in it dripped off the words, "you will watch them fall."

Before the whole room was turned upside down Sai quickly bent down to Ino's height whispering a few quick words before disappearing into the fight "save the Raikage."

Ino didn't even have time to react to the words as two shinobi ran head on at her, pumping chakra through her legs she quickly evaded their attack and landed roughly on the floor, scanning the maddened area. Shino's bugs were rushing into the room covering a quarter of the space while Sai had summoned an array of inked animals expectedly dodging and striking the ninja with his quick attacks. Gritting her teeth Ino used her agility to dodge the kunai's and shurikens thrown her way, pulling up her defence she collided her own kunai and shuriken with theirs while in between popping her head above the chaos as though looking for something. With a sigh she turned back to the battle summoning a few clones and catapulted herself over the battlefield.

Their hoods had fallen off revealing music noted headbands; it appeared Sound had beaten them to it. Ino cursed as she slashed their necks, it was the easiest way to get rid of them but no matter how many times she striked another one seems to replace the fallen.

"Where the hell do you keep coming from?" The blond roared the last word as she tore away two ninja's with force. Only to face another two enemy-nin running straight at her, katana's raised. Her breathing was laboured after continuous attacks, and before she could react, the katana's were on either side, closing her eyes Ino prepared for the excruciating pain only to be deafened by two loud animalistic roars on either of her sides. Her hair billowed forwards as she re-opened her eyes to see two large forms standing in front of her. Two large ink tigers.

He appeared by her side only leaving her one careless glance, "we'll take it from here," before taking out a brush and summoning a few more hand drawn animals. Slightly taken aback but nonetheless Ino charged head on through the cleared path, four quick heavy steps followed behind her and before she could strike out at the enemy a dark form appeared by her side. Even through the heavy battle and even though they were losing Ino twisted her head back a gracious smile on her face at the artists direction, the tiger followed her faithfully by her side clearing her pathway. And even though he couldn't hear her Ino thanked him.

"Thank you."

They were nearly there now, with a burst of strength Ino hauled herself onto the platform where the Raikage sat, now she understood why Sai had wanted her to save him. The binds and gag said it all and finally the last piece of the puzzle had been found.

The Raikage saw her and struggled in his chair his eyes wild as he tried to say something through his gag, lowering her weapons Ino walked over to him, undoing the binds and taking off the gag. He breathed heavily for a minute and dark grey eyes met her own, frightened with fear and defeat he stared past her mouth open as though he had lost the ability of speech.

Hesitantly Ino shook his shoulder, totally ignoring that she was shaking one of the powerful leaders of the shinobi nations. "Are you okay? Hello?"

Her anxious gaze locked on his panic-stricken eyes, he wasn't looking at her, whatever he was staring at had frozen him, and his whole body seemed to have paralysed, 'gone into shock' as Sakura would have said. A heavy feeling in her stomach urged her to turn around while her mind told her not to. Ignoring the debate Ino followed her instinct twisting around to see her standing there, hands on thin hips a smirk playing on her thin lips. Her lone amber eye gleamed in the light as she disappeared and reappeared right in front of her. Cursing herself for not paying attention she was brought out of her shock by the sneering words as a sharp pain struck her at the side of her head.

"Careless kuniochi."

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It was cold on the high rooftops, but pretty.

She liked the cold wind. She liked the sharpness of the current that cut through her clothes and swept up her messy pink locks. She liked the heaviness of it in her nostrils and against her forehead.

The crimsons sky hung over the trees. Droplets of cold water clung to the long pink strands of wavy hair protruding from under her cap. The wind gusted past her, then calmed.

The view, to her, was wonderful. The tall building overlooked the acres of woodland and she could see the river not far off, a faint cold trickling sound carried by the wind whipping past her ears and carrying on. Pulling her legs to her chest her gloved hands wrapped around her calves. The wind swirled and dipped into the trees below, ruffling the leaves producing a crackling sound getting louder and louder as it carried.

She pulled off the cap and jammed it into her pocket. It was keeping her warm and she wanted to feel cold. Especially on her face. She felt so unbearably hot and she wanted to feel the cooling sensation of nature's lips pressing against her flushed skin, cleansing her mind.

Standing up she started walking through the wind, across the roof-tiles until only fresh air stretched out. Wriggling her toes she shuffled forwards until she was on the very edge. The wind rushed past her with sudden force knocking her tresses back and clearing her view. The cooling sensation reached the roots of her hair clawing the knots of her long tresses, shoving her clothes back but she stood her ground.

Rocking back on her heels her palms raised frontward's she closed here eyes, breathing slowly. Tipping over on her tiptoes the creaking sound abruptly re-opened her eyes, but she kept on moving rocking back on her heels and nearly falling forwards, but never doing so, on the tips of her toes.

"Tsunade-sama's calling for you." It was brisk and professional.

Her eyes lingered on the glistening river; soon it would be full of dark red, blood. He shuffled forwards, and then there was a creak as he stood beside her, "well?" It wasn't a demand nor a question, merely a statement as though he was clarifying something.

She smiled. "Isn't it beautiful?"

She could see him look ahead, his eyes sweeping past and resting on her. "Hn." A sign showing his lack of interest in the scenery.

Quickly changing the topic, "I wonder if Naruto is alright."

He scoffs this time, "the dobes probably gotten lost in the desert."

She giggled picturing her blond friend wandering blindly in the desert and eventually being found by a none-too-impressed Kazekage, "you're probably right," her smile disappears, "but I hope that doesn't delay him, we can't afford help to come late."

He nods, only replying with one word. "Aa."

Silence lies down between them, stepping back she twists her head to look up at him, running over his flawless features and straight lips, he meets her gaze with his own deep coal eyes, she suppresses a shiver at the intensity and weakly smiles, "well lets get going shall we?"

He nods. "Hn."

And together the two shinobi leap off the edge leaving the rooftop empty with only the wind whistling it's own lonely tune reaching its hands to the bloody red. Soon….. soon the sky won't be the only thing bathed in blood.

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The footsteps were quick. People walking by in the corridors quickly flattened themselves, allowing them to pass by in short time. Finally the door came through and they burst in unceremoniously, eyes controlled and serious. A dozen pairs of eyes turned to them briefly as they sat down. The first one smiled apologetically at Tsunade.

"Sorry we're late Shishou."

Tsunade nodded, accepting the apology and began to speak.

"Shikamaru's team have returned from Rock with not-so-good news," she glanced around the room, meeting briefly with the older Haruno, "Mordan has already persuaded the Tsuchikage to join him."

No one spoke.

Tsunade continued, "we have had no contact so far with our groups from Lightening or Sand so our numbers are limited. Citizens are already being evacuated through the underground passages by Genin teams and ANBU and Jounin have been stationed at Konoha's gates. I want Aburame and Kurenai stationed at the West Gate," the two mentioned nodded and disappeared in a puff of smoke, the Hokage turned to Neji, Ten-Ten and Lee, "I want you three to situate yourselves at the South Gate," the three quickly disappeared leaving Gai, Kakashi, Asuma, Chouji, Sasuke, Sakura and Tatsuya in the room.

"Kakashi, Gai, Sasuke and Chouji I want you to guard the Valley of the End," Sasuke and Kakashi noticeably tensed, memories of Sasuke and Naruto's battle flashed simultaneously in their minds. With a nod the four vanished leaving Sakura, Tatsuya and Asuma in the room. "Asuma and Tatsuya I want you to assist the ANBU in the East," the two nodded, Asuma disappeared while Tatsuya's and Sakura's eyes met for a brief moment before he disappeared as well, a silent message exchanged between them.

"Be careful."

Sakura realised she was the only one left and looked over suspiciously at her mentor, "Shishou? What's my job?"

Tsunade rubbed her forehead, a tired sigh escaping her lips, "you'll be staying in the hospital." She raised a hand to silence the pink haired girl's shouts, "Sakura I don't think it's good for you to be running around a battlefield when you could get hurt and ruin our chances of beating Mordan."

Folding her arms Sakura's face morphed into a well demeaned frown, "can I help in the hospital?"

Tsunade lifted her chin, "a bit."

Slowly the rosette girl smiled and bounded out of the room. She stopped through the doorway her hand on the wall as her teachers voice called out to her.

"Don't overwork yourself Sakura; you need to be at your strongest point when you battle him."

Twisting her head, pink tresses tumbling over her shoulder Sakura beamed at her, eyes sparkling with determination she replied whole heartedly, "don't worry I won't." Before disappearing down the corridor.

-

Of the thirty-six ways of avoiding disaster, running away is the best.

Anonymous

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No I am not dead. I have merely been busy with work and what-not and this fic was really not my first priority. But now I am back and determined to finish this soon. So please forgive my lateness and I hope you enjoyed this not-so-interesting chapter. But not to worry! The action will be in the next chapter when the battle FINALLY starts!

To my Beta reader–Thank you Mish-potato(Shellzonfire) for constantly reminding me to UPDATE, and never giving up on me when my inspiration was on holiday in Hawaii. I can't thank you enough!!!

And thank you to all my faithful readers and reviewers, keep on reviewing people! They really help me continue this fic

Thanks and I hope you liked this chapter!

W.D.D.C