Temari sighed as she sat by a fire. Her fans were in their holders on her hips while Itachi, Haiiro, Gurei, and Hana were in front of her and Gure beside her. They were in the second part of the Iwa Chuunin Exams. The first part was way too easy. I mean really. How hard is it to find a nurse and ask simple questions? What was the point of that test anyway? Right now, they had to find their assigned Iwa Chuunin or Jounin. It was just their luck that they got a Jounin. They had to find them and get them to take them to the tower. She assumed the proctor for this Exam saw how many contestants survived the easy test and decided to lower the numbers. Gure's head perked up and he barked once. All three turned. Oh they knew they were being watched. What with Temari being the actual daughter of Suna's Yondaime Kazekage and the adoptive, but true daughter of Konoha's famous Yellow Flash and Yondaime Hokage, who had been kidnapped by Iwa ninjas before. Plus add to the fact that an S-Rank Missing Nin who could rival any Kage's power was after Itachi and his Sharingan. The Tsuchikage was old, but he wasn't stupid.

Hana yawned and laid against Gurei, "I'll take first watch," Itachi stated, "We don't know what kind of dangers are possible at night."

Temari and Hana nodded. Hana closed her eyes and Gurei covered her exposed arms with his tail. Temari copied Hana with Gure and the dog wrapped around Temari protectively. Itachi looked at the stars above him when Temari and Hana were sound asleep. He turned when Haiiro growled lowly. Itachi pulled out a kunai when he heard a thud and activated his Sharingan, "Who's there?" he hissed, so not to wake his friends.

Gure and Gurei wrapped around the female members of the team protectively. A figure came out of the shadows and Itachi was instantly in front of Temari with four kunai in between his fingers on each hand, "Uchiha Madara-or as you're calling yourself," Itachi hissed, yet his voice calm, "What are you doing here? What do you want?"

"Calm yourself, Itachi," Itachi stiffened slightly before glaring at the masked man, "I'm not here to hurt your girlfriend."

Itachi narrowed his eyes, "Temari's not my girlfriend," he stated, "But she is my friend, the daughter of my Hokage, and the older sister of my little brother's best friend. However, if you take one step towards Hana, I will end you just as quick."

Madara chuckled, "I see your Hokage has made things harder for me," he stated and walked closer.

Haiiro shot in front of Itachi and growled lowly, "But then again," Madara sighed, "You're one of those different Uchihas, aren't you?"

Itachi narrowed his eyes, but held his glare, "I repeat my question," he stated, "What do you want?"

"Itachi-kun?" Temari mumbled and sat up.

Temari's eyes widened before glaring, "Uchiha Madara," she growled.

"Good evening, Temari-san," Madara said, "I'm going to ask that you go back to sleep. This doesn't have to do with you."

"Like hell it doesn't," Hana snapped sitting up.

"I suppose it was too good to be true to think your nose didn't pick me up," Madara sighed before turning to Itachi, "I'll make things quick then. Orochimaru," the three narrowed their eyes, "He is no longer after you."

"What are you talking about?" Hana snapped, "Anko said-"

"That was about seven years ago," Madara stated, "He's found interest in the potential of another target…"

Itachi's eyes hardened, "Sasuke," he hissed.

Temari and Hana went wide eyed, "Correct," Madara stated, "I figured I would be fair and give you a chance to give yourself in place of your little brother."

"Bull," Temari snapped standing up and walked beside Itachi, "Sasuke is my brother's best friend. If that Snake wants to get anywhere near Sasuke then he'll have to deal with me before Itachi-kun."

Itachi looked at Temari in shock slightly. Hana stood up, "You should know that we Inuzukas are loyal to our pack," Hana stated, "Our pack is our village. You want to threaten our pack," Hana glared with her canines showing threateningly, "Then we'll show you how feral we can be…"

Itachi was engulfed in a feeling. He wasn't sure what it was, but it calmed him greatly. Itachi locked eyes with Madara's own Sharingan, "Our Hokage defeated you with the Kyuubi destroying the village," he stated, "He defeated you, sealed the Kyuubi once again and he and Kushina-sama are still alive," Itachi swore he saw something-almost looked like relief-flash in his eye, but it was gone too quickly for him to tell what it was, "He can most definitely defeat you again and if you threaten his family, I promise he won't hesitate in killing you."

Madara chuckled, "Then I guess we'll see what happens in the future," Madara then disappeared into a black void.

The three were shocked. Itachi tisked, "Uchiha Madara or not," Itachi said, shock fading from his face, "He's certainly has his powers."

Temari and Hana were silent, "But why would he come warn us?" Hana asked.

Itachi sat by the fire again, "Madara was loyal to his clan," he stated, "Orochimaru wants the Sharingan. Even he won't take that sitting down."

Temari and Hana sat back down as well, "Is that Iwa ANBU okay?" Temari whispered, just in case they had listeners.

"He's fine," Hana said, "Madara just knocked him out."

Temari nodded with relief. Her father only warned of Orochimaru. No one could've expected Madara to have shown up. Temari closed her eyes and took in a deep breathe before opening her eyes with determination shinning in them. No one would cause her brothers' or their friends' pain. That's the whole reason she was getting stronger. She would protect her brothers. Even if she died to do so.

Minato sat at his desk with just one stack of paperwork this time. One knock sounded before the door opened, "Sorry Hokage-sama," the Chuunin stated, "But the list of Genin participating in the final round of the Iwa Chuunin Exams has arrived," he gave Minato a piece of paper.

Minato looked at it and smiled at it, "Thank you," he said and the Chuunin bowed before leaving.

"Tsunade-sama," the Chuunin bowed again before leaving.

Minato looked up when Tsunade entered. The medic nin smirked, "Seeing how you have a stupid grin on your face," she stated, "I'm guessing I'll be running things while you're away?"

"You don't have to," Minato said, "I'm sure Sarutobi-sama could do it."

"He's too old and we both know it," Tsunade stated, "I'm fine with it, really."

Minato smiled, "Thank you," he said, "The finals start in a week. Would you mind telling Kushina, Naruto, Gaara, Kankurou, Kiba, Tsume, and Sasuke? We'll need to leave tomorrow."

"Got it," Tsunade stated and left.

Minato looked at the paper again and stiffened with a frown. Suna Genin passed. That means….Minato sighed. He'd have to warn his family and hopefully they'll get there in time to warn Temari. Nobody was comfortable with the Kazekage.

A/N Sorry, I started school yesterday. So updates and the sequel may be slower than you all hoped. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. I own nothing except my OCs. Please leave reviews! Thank you!