This was really happening, it really was. You couldn't believe it as you stared down at your new forehead protector with the kanji of "Shinobi" on it. For everyone to wear in this alliance. You had expected the war not to start for at least a few more days, at least then you could get your mind in the game and think of everything, think of your thoughts to send Kaito and Natsuki's way. The words rambled in your head you couldn't get them straight. Inside everything was just flipping, where you really ready for this? Unlike the others here, you where just starting out in life and everything. Learning about this world. Starting to call it home, enjoy the bonds of those you have made. That now could be taken away from you in this war. Would this be the last time you would see them? See everyone? Just a bit of solace was all you needed, just a shred of it.

"May."

A hand rest on your shoulder concerned."I can't be-I-"you stop yourself. You exhale long and deep, to rid your body of the doubts, fears, and any other negative thought. This wasn't the time nor the place, swallowing your fears. Pumping yourself up the best you could. Focusing inward to calm your nerves, turn around, to your surprise find everyone of the Konoha 11 minus Naruto of course, with Neji standing in front.

Their eyes look at you with support and comfort. Their warm smiles assuring you everything was going to be okay. They too where worried, as you where. Expressing it with that tender look. Feeling ashamed you couldn't hide your feelings well, your eyes begin to well up showing them everything. You turn your head away from them, dropping it. They had the experience, you didn't. You just had programs implanted in you, you had things built in you. They didn't, they all worked hard to get their own style and forms. Sure you studied onmyodo, a choice you wanted. Nothing that was programmed in you, but was it really? You still where copying those who have studied before, even if you managed to make your own. The others where bringing so much to this war. They had years to prepare for this, and you didn't. Your mind always thought life was wonderful and full of bliss, this world opened your eyes more than you realized. Sure you went through that ordeal, that horrible ordeal that changed you for the better as they always told you. But did it really? Where you being to hasty to include yourself in this war? Though you had the body of a teenager, you actually where just a still a child. A child going into war, feeling unequipped and frighten.

Looking at all of them, etching their faces in your mind as if to be the last time you would see them. Your eyes fall on their forehead protectors, each one of them had the charm right? You made sure of it, they would be safe, you friends and family would be safe. They had to be. You couldn't loose anyone else. You wouldn't be with them in any of the five main division, you would be part of the supporting division.

Logistical Support and Medical Division.

With Shizune, who appointed you as her second. A title you really believed didn't deserve but she explained to you it made the most sense, you had a intelligence and skills. She needed someone with sharp eyes and sense you could take to the skies with your speed you would be the one who surveillance the battlefield, being able to reach the others and bring those injured quicker. Not to mention you could provide extra assistance with you barriers, to help restrengthen. And since you where connected to them, it just made sense. You would take to the skies, being the eyes in the skies. All of this, you would be lying if you didn't feel the pressure upon you. Which the others saw.

Clenching your forehead protector. Wondering what you should do? What would Leo and the others do? What would Master Splinter say? April? Though you where going into battle with everyone around you, you still felt alone. Where you actually strong enough to do this? What plan did you actually have? What plan would Donnie come with? And tell everyone? Why couldn't they be here now? You need their reassurance things where going to be okay. Everything was going to turn out wonderful. Then afterwards have pizza and watch some T.V. to celebrate a successful victory. The blissful thought didn't help, it made it worse. Despite you trying to smile, reality set back in. Your eyes stare pass everyone into nothing. Petrified this could be it. The very last time, just like back home. You didn't realize that was to be the last time you would see everyone. Their smiles, laughs and voices. Everything. Just like now, right now this could be the last time you would see everyone. Your heart began to hurt, you felt it began to tighten at the thought. The memories you've made with each and everyone of them, flooded through. The funny mishaps you experienced with them. The laughs you've shared. The confusion. The training. The challenges you endured with them. It could all fade away like sand in the wind. Did they not know how important they each where to you? You could easily just set up a barrier to keep them all in, they wouldn't be able to break out. No matter how much strength Sakura would try to use.

Yeah. You would do that, you would keep them safe. All of them, what a great idea, bringing up your trembling hands, lost in your idea. You didn't have to say an incarnation for this one. Your energy faintly started to flicker, when you felt your arms stop moving and you body starting to move on its own walking forward, finding yourself in the arms of Shikamaru. He holds you tightly, releasing his jutsu on you. You cling to him tightly, burying your head in his chest. He looks down at you with a half tender smile. Listening and letting you whimper.

"Your so troublesome, you know that?"he says lightly."I can't come and find you on the battlefield, so your going to have stop this. How can I focus on the fight, if I have you on my mind. Wondering if you've broken down? Because, if you don't stop mom's really going to get on me and really I don't need that. I kind of would like to avoid that, if that's okay with you?"

He feels you nod your head, you lift up your head up looking at him, he just kept his smile on."We-we're going to have dinner after this, all us. Father said, it will be a good idea. And mother, she'll like it."you said."I-is that okay? C-Can we all have dinner?"

"Yeah."he agrees. You smile, slowly. It was a struggle but you keep pushing forward.

Looking pass him at the others, you smile tearfully at them."And of..of course you're all invited. Hinata, remember there is the new tea we have to try when this is all over."

She smiles at you."I remember."

You look each of them."Shino, you said you would show me a field of butterflies. Don't forget that."

He nods his head."I won't."

"Ino, you still have so much to teach me about flowers. I can't wait to learn more about them. I promise, I won't have you worry, about me. I don't want you to get grey hair."

She chuckles lightly."I know."

"Kiba and Akumaru, let's still go for that walk, okay?"

Kiba flashes you a toothy grin."Sure, Akumaru been dying for you take him on a walk." The dog barks wagging his tail.

"Sai, I'll make sure to bring back the books you let me borrow. Then later we can go to the bookstore, and get some new ones."

"Yes, of course. I would like that very much." He smiles."Do not forget we still have some art lessons to do."

"I almost forgot, thank you."your smile brightens."Sakura, let's do more research together."

"You bet."

"Tenten, I can't wait to go to the Hot Spring with you."

"It is very relaxing."

"Lee, we'll still have more sparing matches, right?"

He gives you the thumbs up with a smile."Yes. We shall."

"Choji, next time, I'll pay for BBQ."

"You really know how to spoil people, but alright. I'll hold you to it."

You smile at each of them, Neji was the last person your eyes landed on. Seeing this Shikamaru lets go of you and you throw yourself in the Hyuga's arms, tightly hugging him, pushing your face into his chest deeply. He wraps his arms around you tenderly. Looking at you deeply, smilingly softly. It was clear now to the others and much to the shock and carnage of Kiba, the relationship between you two.

"...I'm making your favorite next time for dinner,"you lift your head to him."Herring soba, I know Natsuki doesn't like it. So I'm making her favorite dessert, pumpkin cupcakes. I know how much you don't like pumpkin, sorry."You try to laugh.

He just smiles tenderly. Placing his forehead on yours."It's alright. She always like foil everything."

You nod your head agreeing."Kaito, really wants you teach him taijutsu. H-he's been looking forward to it." You tell him struggling not to cry. He holds you close. You cling to him."Remember, to use your charm. And you and Hinata please protect each other. You're family, you both need to protect one another. Nothing's more important than family. That goes for all of you too."you look at them, your eyes where serious."I mean it. All of you protect each one another, your...your all my family. You have to come back. I still have more memories I would most graciously like to make with each one of you. I will make sure to protect all of you. I will. I swear. I-I love you all so much."you layout your heart to them. Pleading to them."I do not mean to be selfish, but, I wish not to loose any of you. I promised Naruto, I would make sure he has a home to come back too. So please, stay alive for me, then afterwards we can all have a lovely picnic. Okay? Alright?"you had stepped away from Neji, looking at them fierce and slight threatening look and tone.

A hand comes down on your head."Your making threats now."Shikamaru kids, you turn around to him. He smirks at you."Scary, mom is rubbing off on you now. Well do what your demanding, but you have to do the same thing too. Coming home without you, wouldn't be right either."

"You're just as important to all us as we are to you, May." Hinata tells you."You have to be careful too, and well protect you too."

You look to her, she smiles at you. Listening to her words you thought back to Naruto for some reason. You remember what he said to you. You smile.

"Yes."

"You better."Shikamaru tells you, adding a bit more pressure on your head."We have a birthday to plan for."

"He's right."Ino chimes in, coming over to you taking your hands into her's."I have a few ideas for a celebration. May, before you go though, there is something I've been meaning to tell you, you asked me before what kind of flower you are. Your a lotus. A lotus flower, because you're the beauty that grows through the dark. No matter what happens, you come out so strong. And blossom into something lovely. That's kind of person you are. You exemplify a lotus so well. You're a lot stronger than you give yourself credit. On that battlefield you unleash everything, don't hold back. Show them what a beautiful flower looks like. Like Shikamaru said, we can't worry about you. I don't won't grey hair."

"We're Tsunade's students after all,"Sakura speaks."She wouldn't have chosen us if she didn't think we could do it. No more holding back. We've seen what you can do. Your Master taught you well."

"Don't be afraid, May."Hinata tells you."You've faced it so many times and conquered it. Despite the odds, you've never let it control you."

"She is right."Lee adds more."Your perseverance, is beyond anything I've seen. From all the memories we've seen about you. Tells us one thing, your a fighter. Strong. Hopeful. You came into this world bursting with energy, more anything. You fought against anything thrown your way, you dove straight into the fire, despite the dangers. Risking everything, even here with us. Your unyielding and determined."

"See?"Ino tells you, getting your attention back. You look at her, she smiles at you."...You're really awesome, May. More than you know."

Touched deeply by their words, something changed inside. You weren't sure what it was, but you knew it was good. You didn't have to think deeply about what they all said and felt. Your eyes finally saw it, thinking back to how far you had come since being here. Coming into a world you knew nothing about, like a newborn learning how to walk, you had to learn how adjust in this world. You stumbled so many times, but got back up without a second thought. Carried a smile on your face despite the odds. Found pleasure in the simplest things. Earning friends and bonds along the way. Putting your best foot forward, wanting to learn all you could. The feeling of indifferent not long seem to exist right now. It actually didn't feel like it existed in the first place. Rising your head high, taking your hands back from Ino, and look at your forehead protector. Naruto's words, about this finally made sense. It took some time, but it finally made sense. Proudly you put it on, though this time not on your chest. No. You wore in the same spot Naruto wore his. On your forehead, smiling with pride and strength.

You would give your all, all of it and more. Push through fear. Not let it get to you, it had no hold over you. Your feelings weren't important, actually they didn't matter to you. All that mattered was finishing this war, to prevent the enemy from taking your new home. You where going to protect this place and everyone with your life. If they knocked you down, you would get back up and hit back ten times stronger. Pumped and empowered, you eyes burn brightly, brighter than before. Your energy brightly burns around you, whipping up some winds. For some reason you where getting excited now.

You look at everyone with a sweet smile, followed by a cute laugh."Thank you. Everyone. Brother?"you call to Shikamaru, he looks at you."Don't be lazy. Okay? I can't worry over you, I have job to do."you repeat his words. He taken back a bit, but smirks at you. You turn to everyone else."..."No words needed to be exchanged, smiling at them. You tighten your forehead protector once more and take off.

I'll protect them, Master Splinter. I promise. I'll protect everyone. You tell yourself.