AN: Howdy all, sorry this is a bit late. Honestly, we're fairly behind in schedule so we'll definitely be trying to get the second half of the chapter out as soon as possible. That said, because we're behind, I haven't had a chance to read any of your reviews. I apologize, but I need to focus what little time I have on writing. I promise I'll get to them as soon as I've got some time. (KJ handles the tumblr questions so they normally get answered in a fairly timely manner.) Anyway, enjoy the chapter.

PS – We own nothing. And we still have that tumblr page.

PPS – The dictionary and jutsu list is below and at the bottom (along with a short review corner and author note). Here you go:

Denshi jisho

Haori – jacket

Hai – yes

Nan da? – What the?

Gaki – brat

Ninken – ninja dog companion

Jutsu list

Kage Bunshin no Jutsu – Shadow Clone Technique

Katon: Housenka no Jutsu – Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique


Arc – The Invasion

Chapter Forty One: For My Honor (Part 1)

A cacophony of buzzing comm channels filled the room, the chaotic noise of radio static and pitched voices as Sergeants responded to call after call mixing together seamlessly. The loud crackle of the radios interspersed with the strong, confident voices of the young Military Policemen manning their stations, drew Tsuyoki's attention. The occasional broken conversation breaking through disorientating noise offering him an alternative to the monotony of his wait.

Listening closely, he could sometimes distinguish one conversation from the mess. Taking in what little information he could hear despite the fact that he'd be completely unable to do anything with it. Head tilted towards the bustling noise, Tsuyoki listened to the low hum of a conversation at the comm station.

"Tower Three to the HUB… status update at your request, over."

"HUB to Tower Three, you are a go to update, awaiting your report, over."

Static filled the silence, the broken hum of nearby radios breaking the lull in conversation as the Sergeant waited for a reply at his station.

"….has fallen. HUB, I repeat, the West Gate has fallen…ninja sighted in the area…all current units have fallen back as requested, over."

"HUB to Tower Three…"

The loud hiss and cackle of several other radios buzzing to life drowned out the rest of the conversation, the chaotic noise in the room blanketing the area in indistinguishable conversation. Tsuyoki couldn't tell what else had been said. His still under trained eyes missing the subtle twitches and pulls of the Sergeants lips that would otherwise allow him to read the rest of his words. Even so, he still flinched at the information.

What little he'd heard didn't sound good. A fallen gate could only be devastating to village security. Tsuyoki tried to think of what was near that particular village entrance, but failed. He'd never really been allowed to simply wander the village streets. Never had cause to do so. So he wasn't familiar with the area. Or any area really that wasn't the square in the main market district.

Still, he could image the destruction enemy ninja could cause in any section of the village. Ransacked shops and destroyed homes, it would be a mess to clean up even if the area had been cleared of civilians. And of course, Tsuyoki had little means of finding out more information to assuage his concerns. Not when he could only capture excruciatingly small tidbits of information from the buzzing comms.

Glancing around him, Tsuyoki frowned at the unconcerned faces filling the space. Sure they were hurried, moving about with a speed filled with purpose, but it wasn't any more urgent than what he'd originally walked into. For whatever reason, no one seemed to be overly bothered about the fallen gate.

He supposed that was a good thing. That it meant that there was a plan and the situation was under control, but that didn't really stop him from worrying. After all, this was an invasion. Lives were at risk. And from where he was sitting, nothing looked like it was going well. At least not for Konoha.

The comms buzzed again, a single static filled voice breaking through the noise effectively drawing Tsuyoki's attention.

"Tower Five to the HUB, reporting the successful evacuation of the South Pavilion. Units currently searching the area on Delta patterns version two, awaiting deviating orders, over."

"HUB to Tower Five, status update received, standby for instructions, over." The Sergeant turned his attention to the Lieutenant hovering behind him question already slipping from his lips, "That marks both pavilions as evacuated of all personnel, sir. What are…"

But the rest of their conversation was lost to Tsuyoki once more. Slipping away in the constant background noise of the HUB. Despite that, Tsuyoki nodded contently to himself, his confidence in the situation renewed at the seemingly good news. He should have had more faith in the Military Police. They knew what they were doing. They always did. And clearly there was a plan to see Konoha through this crisis.

Glancing around the room, he could tell that despite never having been in this situation before, the MPs were ready. They would act accordingly to whatever situation came up. Whatever difficulties were presented to them. They would overcome it all because that was what they'd been trained to do. They each had a job, and no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, they executed it without pause and without hesitation.

Hai, everyone in this room had a proper place in this chaos. They were useful and reliable and needed to make it through this crisis. They were important. Every last one of them, except for him.

Shifting in his place, Tsuyoki eyed the space around him, gaze slipping to Neji-sama across the room. As it was, even Neji-sama had a place in this chaos. Having slipped away some time ago, falling easily into the pace of the room with a comfort and ease that Tsuyoki hoped he'd someday be able to possess, Neji-sama's presences hummed with confidence. His body radiating the aura of a born leader while Tsuyoki sat here uselessly.

Suddenly filled with a wave of shame, Tsuyoki looking away from the older boy, glancing down at his hands as he squeezed them tightly. What could he even do? Stuck in this building with no more knowledge on MP protocols and standard operation procedures than a civilian. Heck, he wasn't sure his above average fighting abilities would keep him alive outside of this room, let alone actually do something to help.

So what good was he? Without the same independent study of his peers, the ones that had not only contemplated joining the organization, but had made it a priority at the Hyuuga Academy. Unlike them, he'd never once considered the possibility. Had not even bothered to learn more than the minimum information on the organization, but here he was. Right smack dap in the middle of it all. Surrounded by the whirling energy and near constant chatter and he was utterly useless.

And that fact ate at him. Clawed at his mind as he just sat there and stayed out of the way. His village was under attack and that was all that was expected of him, all that anyone needed or even wanted from him. And all because he was too young. Too inexperienced. Too ignorant to be of any use in a real fight.

There would be no seamless integration of himself into an MP position. Or even some potential at integration. Not when he'd finally committed to the path of the honored Retainer. He wasn't a policeman, and he never would be. This just wasn't his world. Not like it was for Neji-sama. No, here there was no place for him. He just didn't belong.

And he didn't think he ever would. Not when he struggled with some of the simplest of things, like the lingo. The jumble of words and abbreviations, strings of letters that just didn't make sense, he'd only managed to pick through the straight forward lines in each overheard conversation. And what little he did understand was made harder to piece together because of the sheer pace of the atmosphere. The flurry of action and near constant movement preventing him from even attempting to really keep up and translate the flood of information properly.

Currently, he could only grasp pieces. Pieces of a puzzle he knew was a whole lot bigger of a picture which in the end meant he really had no idea what would happen next. Every statement he managed to overhear was a broken piece of information, impossible to decipher correctly no matter how he tried.

Clearly, he'd missed something with the fall of the West Gate. After all, there was no fear and worry. Only the confident maneuvers of a situation going according to plan. Tsuyoki doubted he was right about anything, because as far as he could tell, the invasion wasn't going well.

'But maybe that's not the case,' Tsuyoki thought as he pulled his eyes away from his useless hands, filled with renewed purpose but unable to turn back to watch the ordered chaos. Not when that chaos belonged to a world he could do nothing to help.

Instead, he let his gaze land on Hanabi-sama's peacefully sleeping form beside him. Pale eyes tracing over the carefree image of her sleeping face. Asleep, she knew nothing of the danger they were currently facing. Completely unaware as their village was torn apart, attacked by their own allies. For now, she could rest easy, unburdened by the knowledge that any moment now, they could be without a village. Without a home. And he envied her easy escape.

At the moment, he wished he'd allowed the genjutsu to take him. To force him into unconsciousness so that he too could remain unaware. As it was he was already just as useless as her sleeping form, unable to help, unable to effect change. The only thing currently separating the two was the fact that he didn't get to enjoy the pleasure of blissful slumber.

No, he was here and very much awake. Playing witness to the horrors that were currently unfolding before his eyes. The horrors of this invasion, knowing all along that no matter what happened next he could do nothing. No matter how dark this day became, he could be of no help. He was useless to the people around him. In a place that tolerated him because they must, but wanted him, no needed him to stay out of the way.

A feeling of unease settled in the pit of his stomach. Thoughts of his own existence, too similar to his current situation, floating to the surface. Thoughts of relatives that barely tolerated him. That would have sooner seen the last of him if not for the name of 'family'.

Of course that was a lie. He was old enough to know about the politics of the Clan. About the stigma created from ignoring responsibility. And he was their responsibility. Their honor rested in their ability to tolerate him. For the time being. And he knew that they didn't enjoy it. Knew that if it wouldn't stain their good name, they would have turned him away after the death of his parents.

But they hadn't wanted to risk their honor. Not like that. Not when it was so easy to put him up in a room, make sure he was fed and only check on him when it was absolutely necessary. He was more than aware that no words were needed to show someone they were unwanted, hated even for a reason he could not ascertain. So although they never outright said he was unwanted, they didn't have to. He knew what he meant to them just the same.

Suddenly, the near deafening hum of a clear comm transmission pulled Tsuyoki from his darkening thoughts.

"…to the HUB. Main gate requesting more reinforcements…" Chatter filled the air as portions of the signal were drowned out, a loud shout from a returning Corporal dragging Tsuyoki's gaze away before he could remember to tune back in. "…does not believe we can hold the gate…without additional forces…"

The buzz of the room covered the rest of the conversation, static filled hums distracting Tsuyoki from his thoughts until another radio transmission caught his attention.

"…Stadium has received significant structural damage…still holding. Currently unable to determine building integrity…" Tsuyoki frowned at that, more bad news pulling at his heartstrings. "…no units available to assist Stadium evacuations…maintaining current orders, over."

"Roger Tower One, message received, standby for further instructions, over."

The Lieutenant hovering by the Comm Sergeant's shoulder nodded once, already turning away even as she spoke, "Good job, Sergeant. Continue manning the comm while I get this to the Captain. New orders are on their way."

The Lieutenant turned completely on her heels then, striding confidently towards Captain Daichiko without another word.

Tsuyoki allowed his mind to wander as he followed her trek. All of these MPs were confident in their actions, self-assured that what they did mattered. Even Neji-sama seemed to fit right in here, easily falling into the familiar patterns that everyone but him seemed to know. He was useless here, but he was also coming to the realization that this was their world, not his. They'd trained for this. They'd prepared for this situation no matter how remote it had seemed in the past.

And Tsuyoki knew that, in this instance, he should not try to compare himself to them. Not the Corporals and Specialists lining the walls. Not the Sergeants manning the comms. Not the Lieutenants rushing to disseminate information. And certainly not Neji-sama, a boy born to this world just as surely as the Yotsugi-dono had been born to lead. He couldn't compare himself to them because it would be doing a disservice to them all.

Shaking himself from his thoughts, Tsuyoki turned back to the officer's trek, his gaze following her path to land squarely on Captain Daichiko. A legend in her own right, the Captain was mesmerizing in the way that she held the attention of any room. The ease at which she stood, confident in a way that rallied those around her, she was commanding in her presence without having to utter a single word.

Even from here, she constantly grabbed his attention, his gaze fluttering back and forth between the buzzing stations around the room and her towering from beside the three dimensional model of the village. Not for the first time he wondered just how tall she was. Wondering if that commanding height had anything to do with her magnetic charisma. Pondering the question just as he had the first time he'd met her at one of the formal function his guardian had taken him to.

Even now, weeks and months withdrawn from the encounter, Tsuyoki could still remember that enthralling impression she'd made on the room. Drawing the attention of his fellow noble family counterparts seemingly without conscious effort. And it was that imposing figure that Tsuyoki was faced with now. The whispered comments of her legendary feats floating across his thoughts as he remembered the softly spoken awe of his fellow students at the Academy.

Of course those half whispered comments, admitted in an excited rush, hadn't been direct at him. No one spoke to him. Not if they could help it. However, he'd heard the whispers either way. Had pieced together snippets of conversations to draw the same conclusions. And those whispers had not been wrong.

Captain Daichiko was more than just impressive, in action, surrounded by chaotic order, she was awe-inspiring. Commanding the room despite the strong presence of higher ranking official in the corner of the room, just as she'd done at the gala. Even now, as she spoke softly with Hizashi-dono, she pulled the attention of the room.

Tsuyoki blinked, surprised that the Lieutenant he'd been following with his gaze was no longer in sight. Clearly, he'd lost himself in thought. Allowing the woman to escape his observation without his notice. 'Focus, Tsuyoki,' he chastised himself, gaze flickering across the room to find the Lieutenant back at her station.

"Are you certain, sir?" The Captain's voice startled Tsuyoki with its sudden clarity and he swiftly returned his attention to her. "Is there no other way?"

"I'm afraid not, Captain. Both the Hokage-sama and my brother are out of reach, the Konoha Council members are too scattered to gain contact while all village elders remain unaccounted for. I am the only one left with the authorization to make this decision, and I find I cannot in good conscious allow the village to continue to suffer because of my inaction."

"But sir? You've told me before that this action can't be taken lightly. That the village has its secrets for a reason."

"Of that I am well aware, Captain, however, some secrets are meant to be…"

Tsuyoki nearly screamed in frustration at the loud whine of a nearby radio drowned out the rest of the conversation. 'Secrets,' he thought, confused but not wholly surprised that the village would have them. It sounded dangerous and mysterious and likely something that the village had never used if the heavy quality of the Captain's voice was anything to go on. Still…

'If we need this to win…' Tsuyoki thought as he caught movement by the door. Hizashi-dono stood, ready to leave as he turned back to give one last order to the Captain.

"My radio is on. You know the frequency, Captain. The Hokage's Tower is a very short call away."

"Hai," Captain Daichiko replied, gaze focused at the door until it swung completely shut. Spinning on her heels, she turned to the Lieutenants at the center of the room. "Alert all forces to prepare for Operation Liling, Alpha, Suzu, Tango; codename maneuver Hotel, Osamu, Papa, Echo. Be ready on my mark," she paused as she looked around the room, gaze searching, gauging before she continued. "We've got a battle to win."


The sun burned across the wreckage of the once beautiful village, highlighting the damage that Konoha had already endured. Explosions pounded in the background, the loud booms mixing in with the occasional scream as destruction rained down around the village. With the sound of fighting not far from his position, Naruto Clone Number Eighteen held himself back, keeping unnaturally still in his high perch hidden within a broken building overlooking the village at large.

From here Clone #18 could easily spot the Hokage's Tower in one direction, the Hyuuga Police Headquarters in the other and every partially destroyed and on its way to being wrecked building in between. Which was good, because if anything major finally managed to happen here in his section, he'd definitely know about it.

The cracking of bricks filled the air as another building crumbled to the ground, catching the clone's attention in the process. He strained in his position, neck twisting at a near impossible angle as he tried to get a better look at the action. Unfortunately, all he was able to do was develop a rather painful crick in his neck while glimpsing the tail end of some type of fire jutsu.

For a moment he thought it might be Sasuke, the hot flames of a fire jutsu reminding him of his teammate's favorite technique. And of course it helped knowing that his teammates were likely in the area. That was, if the information Clone #21 had released after saving Shikamaru could be trusted. Untimely demise aside, Clone #18 was willing to trust the other clone. After all, Clone #21 was a good man, not like the overly smug Clones Numbered Thirty-Six to Fifty-Five. Like it mattered that they'd got to patrol the training area. They were still like the majority of them, forced to sit and wait for something to happen.

Clone #18 sighed as he shook the thought from his head. It didn't matter how smug his fellow clones could be, as undeserved as it was the majority of the time, it was still a long shot that the fire jutsu he'd spotted signaled the presences of his teammate. Really, it was just wishful thinking at best. After all, this was Konoha. Infamous for the abnormal amount of fire specialists residing within its borders.

Turning away, Clone #18 settled further into his spot, resigned to his horribly boring task. Whoever that was unfortunately wasn't his concern and it didn't matter that it sounded like a really cool, intense fight was underway. Honestly, he just wanted to know what was happening. That wasn't too much to ask for?

But again, that wasn't his section. So it didn't matter if someone needed his help. It just wasn't his job. Sighing heavily again in frustration, Clone #18 crossed his arms as he sat further back into his spot, back against a partially broken wall and gaze firmly on the absolute nothing that was currently occurring in his section. There was no point in looking over at that section anyway especially because he knew he could be of no help.

'Stupid Clone #19 always getting all the fun,' Clone #18 mumbled under his breath. Unfortunately, that particular area was currently covered by Clone #19. The lucky bastard always seemed to have more fun. Not that it really matter as he, along with the majority of the clones, was under strict orders not to interfere unless a fellow Konoha ninja was about to be killed. No, his primary objective was to wait here and watch, to listen for any and all information that could be useful to the boss man.

Another explosion, dust clouds temporarily blocking the sun as another building collapsed, nearly recaptured his attention, but Clone #18 held strong. Scratch what he thought before, that fight was getting beyond intense. Gaze trained to the empty space before him, he ignored how the fight currently taking place only a few short meters away had now managed to reach epic proportions. Clearly life wasn't fair, if he was forced to sit here and not watch.

Because here he was, missing all of the action staring at the villages two tallest towers. What would anyone even want to do in this area anyway? There wasn't much value in either tower unless you could get past the blood seals. Really, no one in their right mind would bother coming this way so his presences here was completely unnecessary.

Where he really needed to be was anywhere else. What if his friends needed him? For all he knew that epically escalading fight was Sakura and Sasuke and Shikamaru over there. His friends could be fighting and struggling to survive. They would need his help for Kami-sama's sake!

Clone #18 nearly jumped from his position at the thought, his battle with staying put and focused on his section all but lost. However, his better sense got to him before he could do something stupid. His objective was clear. That and he was sure Clone #19 would have interfered already if shit was getting rough for his fellow ninja.

In the end, Clone #18 knew that he wasn't needed there. Of course that didn't mean he had to like it, because this job was so boring, so frustratingly dull. There wasn't even an animal in sight that could alleviate just a small portion of his boredom by following its path. Yeah, like a bird. What he wouldn't do to be bird watching right now.

The clone shook himself as he brought his attention back to his survey of the area. He did it in good time too, as the Hyuuga Police head honcho was leaving HQ in that moment. 'Focus,' he told himself as he watched Mr. All-Black disappear in the direction of the Hokage's Tower. Anyone else probably would have lost him in the shadows, but he was Naruto Clone #18. His tracking skills were legendary, honed from years of pulling pranks of epic proportions. Nothing got past him.

Sharp gaze never once leaving the nearly invisible form of the man boss man had once considered his greatest adversary, Clone #18 tracked him as he made his way into the Hokage's Tower, taking the secret side entry Naruto had only seen Jiji take a handful of times. 'Interesting,' Clone #18 thought, rubbing a hand across his chin. 'What are you doing there, Mr. All-Black?'

Filing the information away for later use, Clone #18 turned his attention back to his area. There was no point in following Mr. All-Black, although that would have been more enjoyable then this. No, Clone #18 had seen a group of the floaters, he wasn't sure which ones, disappear into the Hokage's Tower ages ago. They'd be in a better position to follow Mr. All-Black, despite how much Clone #18 loathed to admit it.

Muttering low to himself, he couldn't help but contemplate his fate once more. If he'd only been created four more clones earlier, he could have had one of those glorious floating jobs. Moving from place to place as the need arose. While he wasn't sure what that group was doing, he knew that whatever it was they would be in prime position to help fight against this invasion.

And they'd get all the glory, all the honor, while clones like him just had to sit and wait and watch and listen. If he was lucky, something exciting might happen out in front of the Towers so he could tell the boss man, or better yet help out physically. But he wasn't holding his breath for that outcome. It was just too much of a long shot. In all likelihood there probably wouldn't be anything worth mentioning to the boss man. Not at this rate at least.

An explosion sounded where the fighting was at its strongest in Clone #19's section, rocking the nearby buildings but leaving Clone #18's section alone. Clone #18 turned his head in that direction again, this time spotting what was probably Choji-kun steamrolling over something or more likely someone. From here, he couldn't be sure as he was only able to see parts of the human meat tank as Choji-kun crashed into something or another.

'Focus,' the clone ordered himself, trying to keep one of the most important tools in their master pranking arsenal in mind. He had to have focus. Boss man would need whatever information he could gleam.

Turning his attention back to his surroundings, he searched the streets for any increase in activity. His eyes catching the smallest flutter of movement, but before he could trace it…

BOOM!

Dust filled the air, obscuring the harsh sunlight once more as Clone #18's entire section shook, violently rocking from the force of the unexpected explosion. Holding himself still in his hiding place while increasing the chakra to his feet, keeping himself in place and unmoving as his eyes found a large chunk of the Hyuuga HQ destroyed, a large hole in the side of the building that had once been pristine. 'Nan da?' he thought as he finally caught the tail end of red hair shooting past the debris and through the HQ's newest entrance. The wisp of a figure was followed quickly by two others, but Clone #18 couldn't seem to catch any defining features. Still, he thought he had enough to guess the culprits.

'Shoot, what's the Kumo Genin Team even doing at HQ?' he thought with a frown. He hadn't been expecting this as this wasn't just some average information. No, boss man was going to need this, and he'd need it now.

Clone #18 prepared to dispel himself, ready to deliver the information himself when a flood of the very information he was about disseminate entered his mind first. Clone #16 had beaten him too it. Well, that was alright. He could use this to his advantage.

Sneaking down the side of the building he'd been hiding in, Clone #18 made his way towards HQ. Something like this was certainly something he needed to investigate. Without a doubt, the boss man would need to know more about this.

Although he'd thought he'd be excited about the prospect, worry etched across his face instead. Sure he was finally getting some action, but that didn't change the fact that he was also beyond concerned. After all, where there was one bomb there was often more. He knew the Hyuuga Towers' security like the back of his hand, and unfortunately there was one serious flaw that came easily to mind. One that could be easily exploited with the right information. One that would be devastating in the wrong hands.

The clone gulped as he snuck into HQ via one of the passages he knew was seldom watched and used even less. He really hoped he was wrong, because then it would only take one. One more successful bomb and this whole Tower was going down. Clone #18 paused, kami-sama how he hoped no one else knew that kind of information about the Hyuuga Towers, because if they did, then they were definitely screwed. As it was, he doubted the Hyuuga Police had had time to fix it.


Naruto blinked away the new flood of information as it entered his mind. He didn't know what those Kumo ninja wanted with HQ, but frankly, he didn't have the time to care. Not when Gaara was less than a meter ahead of them, stumbling across tree branch after tree branch and they still needed to push him a little further. The rigged clearing his clones had set up previously ready and waiting for them.

Shifting his head just enough to point towards the right, a clear signal to Hinata-hime that the seal they needed to force the redhead into in order to push him in the correct direction was just that way, Naruto nodded once. Almost immediately, his friend responded, a kunai slipping into her hand with the flick of her wrist before she let it fly. The sharp weapon cut through the air, barreling towards the still running boy and forcing him to dodge in the seal's direction.

Boom!

Wood splinted in the wake of the explosion, blowing Gaara off his original course and towards the direction of his heavily trapped clearing. Naruto grinned as the sheer brilliance of the move, admiring Hinata-hime more for her incredible accuracy. Even blindfolded and without her doujutsu activated she was a force to be reckoned with. Able to throw kunai with a pinpoint accuracy that forced her opponents to move and react as she wished. It was a truly impressive feat. So much so that Naruto was honestly contemplating if he should ask her for tips, after this was all over of course. Surely he could learn a thing or two from her.

Unfortunately, Naruto's grin didn't last long. Knocked from his face at the sight of the redhead, not even two steps later, practically dropping to the ground. Missing a step with a pain filled scream, Gaara fell, his sand cushioning his fall and stopping the boy from hitting the ground hard.

Naruto cursed silently as he and Hinata-hime followed at a safe distance. Feet hitting the grass covered dirt as a frown etched across his face. 'No, he's not far enough yet,' he thought as the other boy's pain intensified, a blood curdling scream filling the air as he clutched desperately at his head. Naruto watched his prone form wither on the ground. Helpless, if not for the softly swirling sand circling his body.

The sight of the whirling sands, a clear deterrent from attacking the otherwise defenseless boy, gave Naruto pause. If only there was something he could do now. 'Man, am I forgetting something?' Naruto thought as his brow furrowed tightly. He just knew he was forgetting something important. Something he could be doing right now instead standing here waiting.

A light moan escaped from the redhead's still prone form on the ground, the increased speeds of his sands temporarily distracting Naruto from attempting to puzzle out his own thoughts. He had more important things to worry about, like what the heck he was going to do when Gaara finally regain coherency.

Glancing around their surroundings, Naruto surveyed the area in an attempt to develop a new plan. Unfortunately, a quick judge of the distance between the trees and what little space was available told him he'd probably reached the end of his good luck. As it was, this space wasn't going to be good enough. At least not if he wanted to actually help in this fight. To inflict real damage on the half sane boy to stop his impending rampage. Everything was just too close. The majority of his seals were just as likely to hurt them as they were to hurt Gaara.

'Alright, so we're limited to close range fighting. Hinata-hime's great with that,' Naruto thought as he glanced at the blind girl in question. The only problem was that he'd be nearly useless and he hated the thought of that entirely. Straightening up, he dismissed those particular worries circling his head. He'd do something. He could…

'The sand,' Naruto thought a slight grin returning to his lips. 'I knew I forgot something,' he continued his gaze locking onto his friend's form beside him. 'I can go straight for the sand and Hinata-hime can knock him out,' he finished with a nod. That had been the major plan anyway so it should still work here.

Suddenly, soft murmuring filled the air pulling Naruto's attention back to Gaara's prone form. The sand circling the redhead's feet rose slowly into the air. Whirling with a ferocious energy as his hands gripped his head tighter. "No," the other boy moaned, grip whitening as he grasped harder at his cracked flesh. "No, no, no. No mother…No more."

Naruto watched as Gaara convulsed on the dirt floor, his body shaking as more sand cut through the air. Then nothing. "Blood," the redhead began, slowly rising to his feet. Gaze hardening and voice stronger, Gaara continued as a twisted grin slowly crawling across his features, "Blood, I'll feed you their blood."

Like a tornado, the sand ripped around Gaara's body, tearing at the surrounding trees all still too terribly close for Naruto to be able to use adequately. In the next moment, a dark demonic wave of killer intent flooded the area, forcing a frown across Naruto's lips. He could feel it. The warped energy of the crazed boy in front of him, but Naruto refused to falter. He wouldn't fail. Not when Hinata-hime was right beside him.

Suddenly, Gaara glanced up, sinister gaze staring up at them beneath a bent head as his hands clasped together, ready to attack. Ready to unleash hell, he was sure. "No more running!"

Gaara's sand attacked them in a sharp surge of movement forcing Naruto to jump away from Hinata-hime as they dodged in opposite directions. The sand ripped at the space they'd just inhabited, tearing at the ground before splitting off to chase them both. Naruto ducked between trees, dodging the seeking arms of sand as it split branches and cut through tree trunks instead of his flesh. Naruto's frown deepened at the damage but didn't stop him from summoning a new batch of clones to the field. He had to focus on the plan and nothing else. Their success depended on it.

"Kage…" Hands flying as he raced across the field, Hinata-hime practically mirroring his actions, Naruto's summons was interrupted as he was forced to dodge wave after wave of violently surging sand.

"You can't run." Gaara's voice echoed around the clearing as Naruto jumped backwards, the sight of sand whirling, solidify around the redhead's arm nearly completely holding his attention. "And you can't hide!" the other boy screamed, sand surging, deadly spikes racing towards them as a demonic gleam burned across his features. "Mother will have your blood!"

Unfazed by ripping winds of sand and waves of demonic chakra, Hinata-hime was quick to sling a kunai towards their opponent. Waiting until the sharp point was only centimeters away before her fingers curled and one word left her mouth, "Kai."

BOOM!

The explosion rocked the clearing as the blast ripped through sand, destroying most of Gaara's sand arm in the process. However, the damage didn't remain. Wild winds of sand encircling the redhead as his arm was quickly reformed.

Gaze unable to leave the form of his friend, Naruto watched as she raced across the clearing, heading straight for the crazed shinobi. 'Think, Naruto, think,' Naruto ordered himself as he watched the two collide, chakra flickered off of Hinata-hime's fingertips as she attacked breaking apart piece after piece of sand, but it wasn't enough. 'We need to push Gaara further in, towards my seal filled clearing. So how are we going to do that?' he finished with a frown as he watched Hinata-hime dodge, body bending completely back as she avoided the sharp swipe of a sand claw.

Forcing his gaze off the fighting pair, Naruto returned his focus to his clones. "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" he yelled, finally managing to summon the clones he needed for his sound frequency technique. "You know what to do," he continued, calling out to his clones as they dispersed, fanning out around the clearing before starting on their seals.

Vital task complete, Naruto finally allowed his attention to shift back to Hinata-hime. Following each dip and twist of her body as she violently traded blows with the crazed shinobi. His fingers itched to do something, but he held still, waiting for his opening so as not to get in her way.

Suddenly, Gaara's typical violent swipe of his clawed hand, razor sharp sand cutting into the hard bark of the nearby trees, was followed by an additional surge of sand, a tall crushing tower racing towards Hinata-hime's back. Without thought, Naruto activated the replacement seal hidden beneath his friend's haori, switching her out with a clone so that she wouldn't be forced to waste chakra on her ultimate defense.

"Mwahahaha!" the dark cackling filled the air as Hinata-hime settled in beside him. "You can't win. Even with your Princess, I'll still kill you both. I'll stain my sand red. And mother will be oh so pleased." The dark laughter filled the air once more, its high pitched squeal sending an unexpected shiver down Naruto's spine. Shaking the chill away, Naruto continued to listen to the redhead's crazed babble, unmoved and unimpressed. "She'll be so pleased… so pleased. The monster claws beneath my skin, demanding your death. And mother will be pleased… so, so pleased when she has you."

"Haven't we gone over this?" Naruto replied cutting into Gaara's dark laughter, "You know nothing of real monsters. They're the ones who walk amongst us, blending in with everyone else. The shopkeeper down the street, or the honorable man who donates to the little orphans he haunts at night. They're the ones no one questions. No one ever thinks to look at. The real monsters in this world. And as crazy and messed up in the head as you are, you don't qualify."

"Fool. Naïve fool. You'll regret questioning the demon that lives inside of me. You'll regret crossing my path, taunting my monster."

Naruto frowned at Gaara's response. He just didn't understand, and it didn't look like he would, not with just words and simple talk. No, right now, there would be no changing his mind. Naruto sighed as he tightened his shoulders, rolling his neck as he faced the other boy. He didn't want to hurt Gaara. After all, he could already tell that Gaara had been hurt enough by real monsters. Even so, if talk wouldn't do it, then there was only one other way. Gaara's monster could not be allowed to run wild.

"Uzumaki-san, is the seal ready?" Hinata-hime questioned, drawing his attention as he searched his mind for the elapsed time.

Grinning wildly, Naruto nodded once before turning back to their opponent. "You can bet your favorite kunai on it." To win, they would need to do this together.


Sakura ran full speed ahead towards the explosion, pushing through thick dust in her race to reach the Tower. If she'd had her doubts before, they were no longer relevant. Not when there was a steady stream of smoke lifting from the Hyuuga's Headquarters.

Of course she couldn't say she was all that surprised. Not when she'd searched her knowledge of the Hokage's Tower and had practically come up empty for possible targets. That small fact had become readily more apparent the closer they'd gotten to the Towers residing near the center of the village. It had itched at her that Kumo would want anything from the Hokage's Tower. What could they possibly obtain from the building? The Hokage was back at the Stadium, and anything of importance would be locked up so tight there was no way a group of Genin, no matter how powerful, would be able to get to it. But the Hyuuga Headquarters...

Dodging around debris, Sakura led the way into the Tower through the wreckage. Pakkun-san raced to her right while Sasuke kept pace on her left. Taking up the rear, likely more for necessity rather than forethought if his heavy breathing was anything to go on, was Shikamaru-san. Each heavy pant loud to her ears as he followed behind her, but she couldn't spare a moment to worry about him. They had bigger problems to be concerned with right now. Like what could the Kumo team possibly want with HQ, for instances.

'Files?' Sakura thought as she raked through everything she knew about the building. Unfortunately, it wasn't much. 'Damnit,' she cursed, upset with herself for not knowing more about the Hyuuga Military Police. She knew about as much as most civilians did, and that was very little. Who knew what Headquarters housed? She didn't even know its general purpose. 'Fuck.' This time she cursed Naruto, knowing that if there was anyone who would know of some secret objective hidden within this Tower, then it would be him.

"Quiet?" Sasuke questioned softly as they ran lightly down the silent corridors following Pakkun-san's nose. The ring of his suspicion going unsaid, but completely understood.

"Troublesome," Shikamaru muttered as a reply from behind, and she had to agree. While she'd only been here once for questioning in one of her blond teammate's pranks, it had been enough to get a general idea of what this Tower should be like. Bustling with energy and filled with enough people that she questioned what they could all possibly be doing in a building this size. But right now it was deserted, not a single guard roamed the halls. The perfect environment for infiltration.

"Where is everyone?" Sakura questioned aloud, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"They're the police. They'd be out in the chaos of the invasion, not here in the Tower," Shikamaru replied. A pregnant pause filled the air, drawing Sakura's attention as she turned back to eye the boy. Brows pulled together and a thoughtful look etched across his face, Sakura wondered at his thoughts.

"What is it?"

"Nothing. Just…"

"There up ahead," Pakkun-san replied interrupting the boy before he could finish his statement. Sakura turned away from him, leaving the sentence for later as they had more pressing business to attend to. They had a mission to complete after all.

"Where'd they go?" Sasuke questioned, his body nearly lurching forward in anticipation. Sakura was glad when he held himself back, her strong words likely still ringing through his mind, keeping him in check. Controlled and ready to fight, this was the Sasuke she needed.

Turning the corner, they finally spotted the Kumo team, poised at the nearest stairwell, ready to leave the area.

"Katon: Housenka no Jutsu!" The volley of small fireballs hurled towards the enemy group, cutting off their path and scattering them before they could leave.

"You're not going anywhere," Sakura yelled pushing forward and falling into place beside Sasuke. With Shikamaru-san only a step behind them, they faced off against the Kumo team ready to stop them in their tracks.

"I've got this," the redhead, Renji-san, announced as he stepped forward. "Finish the mission," he continued, his teammates disappearing in a flash of speed as they followed his orders.

Hand shooting out before her mind could even catch up, Sakura stopped Sasuke before he could lunge forward, "Go after them, I've got this one." Sasuke looked ready to protest but Sakura continued cutting him off before he could utter a single word, "You're faster than me, and we already know how fast they are. Now go."

At that Sasuke nodded, taking a deep breath before turning to Shikamaru-san. "Don't fall too far behind," he announced before he too was gone in a flash.

Shikamaru-san sighed heavily before turning to the ninken at their feet, "You wouldn't mind tracking them for me, Pakkun-san? I'm not that fast."

Pakkun-san looked to Sakura waiting for her consent which she easily gave with a sharp nod. She had this. "Come on, gaki," Pakkun-san grumbled before racing off, nose back on the trail.

Shifting her attention to Renji-san, Sakura was surprised at how easy he'd let her team leave. "You're not all that smart, are you?" she taunted, unable to let this slide. "You didn't even try to stop them from following your teammates."

The redhead widened his stance as he cracked his neck, hand falling to his blade in the process, "Oh, this won't take long. After that, I'll knock off the slow, lazy one. It should take me, what? Two minutes? Five minutes tops. Really, I'm just disappointed I won't get a chance to test the Uchiha for myself. It's a pity that my teammates will destroy him before I even get the chance. Especially because after that mockery of a fight in the finals, I'm sure he'll fight even harder now to gain back his honor. No matter, you'll just have to do."

Sakura frowned at his ego. For whatever reason, she'd expected their leader to have more of a head on his shoulders. The way they'd planned and acted thus far had hinted at a more cunning approach. In all honesty, she was a little disappointed.

Putting that thought aside, Sakura pulled out a kunai as she turned to face her opponent.

"My name is Renji of the Clouds, and I am honored to be your executioner," Renji-san announced as he unsheathed his blade.

Sakura tightened her jaw at his ego. Her inner self already raging for his blood. Yeah, she wasn't having any of this bullshit. "Well I'm Haruno Sakura, and I'd like to see you fucking try," she spat, ready to show him what she was really made of. She was going to wipe that smug look from his face when it was all said and done. That was a promise.


KJ's Corner (By BR – a review)

(1) Military lingo. This is a reminder about the modified military alphabet. Not new, but I thought you'd like a review: alpha, bravo, chou, delta, echo, feng, golf, hotel, indigo, july, kilo, liling, mayu, nana, osamu, papa, qianfan, ryuu, suzu, tango, uniform, victor, whiskey, xiaoli, yuri, zulu

Jutsu list

Kage Bunshin no Jutsu – Shadow Clone Technique

Katon: Housenka no Jutsu – Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique


AN: Okay so like last time (I didn't mention it because I forgot), the military alphanumeric bit actually spells stuff out. The operation mentioned at the top is what both KJ and I think is a very fitting name for what it does (which you'll figure out later). Anyway, thanks for reading. See you in a few days.