Disclaimers: (eyebrows twitching) Do I really have to say it again?

Author's notes: Okay! Thanks guys for the wonderful reviews! I don't want to waste anymore time and since Inner jk isn't here...

Inner jk: Sorry for being late!

Author: Excuse?

Inner jk: Well I was walking around when I saw inner inner jk. Then when I passed by her, inner inner jk's inner self appeared and...

Author: All lies... unbelievable...

Inner jk: Sorry.

Author: Just answer the reviews, okay? Or is it my turn?

Inner jk: My turn.

Author: Liar. It's my turn. You've finished your shift the last chapter.

Inner jk: Fine.

Author: Okay. Here goes!

chibified kitsunes: You really think so? Sniff... Arigato! Anyway, I'm glad you like it! Oh... the Akatsuki??? Hmm... good question. (sweatdrops) To tell you the truth, I don't really know. I just placed it there. I'm sorry for my lack of ideas. But I really hope that you would like this next chapter too!

xXx LiQuiD FaNtAsYxXx: Yey! Itachi-kun's cute!!! I agree!!! Peace!

Wormkaizer: Thanks! Yes! Of course that they will be able to rescue Hinata! But about Sasuke settling a score... (in a teasing tone) I don't know... Hehehe... you'll see! (winks)

kashisenshey: Yes I'm updating now! Thanks for the review!

Arbil: Well... yeah. Keiki is a bit like Naruto. And Shinji's technique is like the mange sharingan... bit it's a lot weaker because for one, it cannot hurt someone physically like the mange sharingan. It can only show the victim what the user wants the victim to see. Thanks for the review!

Astly-Hinata-Chan: Uhh... nope. Sorry. Itachi won't have a child. Sorry. Well... yeah. You know, I also think that maybe I should have placed Orochimaru instead of Itachi. Anyway, thanks for the review!

Max Knight: Oh! Okay! Thanks! I'm glad that you like that scene and thanks for the correction!

Chapter 13:

Hinata just closed her eyes as Itachi's cruel laughter ringed among the cells. Her mind bore one word...

'Naruto-kun...'

The next fourteen hours passed quickly for everyone. The other genins managed to reach the tower without much problem at all.

The wounded genins were now awake, and among them, as we all know, are Lan, Reika, Tai, and Shinji.

Keiki immediately hugged his two teammates when he saw them, literally choking them.

"Keiki... can't... breathe." Lan mumbled.

"Sorry Lan. Sorry Reika."

"It's okay Keiki." Reika said as she held the back of her neck. "At least we're glad you survived."

"Genins and chuunins! Here me!" Tsunade called out. Every shinobi looked at her. "I am pleased to know that you survived the training, but I'm afraid we have very little time to waste. As we all know, Nara Shikamaru has already told you the plan, and I am hoping for everyone's cooperation the next day after tomorrow. As for now, I want everyone to take their rest for they need all the rest that they need. Nara Shikamaru, would you take over?"

Shikamaru nodded and bowed down a bit in respect before facing the group of shinobis. "Okay then. I won't waste anymore time. You all know the plan, now leave, everyone, excluding the rescue team and the following: Hyuuga Yamaru, Ukino Tai, and Haruno Shinji."

=Later on=

"Shikamaru, just get it on will you?! I still have an appointment with Iruka-sensei!" Naruto exclaimed as he crossed his arms. He sat down gruffly on the chair as he eyed every shinobi in the room.

Sasuke raised his eyebrow. "And what kind of appointment would that be, dobe?" He asked with a teasing tone on his voice. He sat down on his chair coolly as if he already knows what Naruto would say to him next.

Naruto grinned. "Iruka-sensei's going to treat me to Ichiraku to congratulate me for being able to protect Tsunade-baba!"

Everyone sighed.

"You would prefer ramen over Hinata, Naruto?" Lee asked as he looked at the blond jounin seriously.

Naruto suddenly turned serious and stopped the joke. "No way in my whole life will I prefer a bowl of noodles over the girl that I love, so don't say that to me again, Lee." He said seriously.

Shikamaru sighed. "Okay guys, cool down. Man! This is too troublesome. Okay then. You might be wondering on why Yamaru, Tai, and Shinji are here. Well... I have decided to join them into the rescue team along with Gaara, Ring, Mikaze Mika, and what was the other one's name? I think it starts with an 'A'." Shikamaru wondered.

"It's Akabane Ame, Shikamaru." Ino reminded.

"Right. Anyway, I think that with them, it will be much easier to rescue Hinata." Shikamaru said. Everyone's eyebrows rose.

"But father," Ayumi said. "Don't you think that it will just be a burden to have more members? Because, the objective is only to rescue Hinata-san. I think that the first members of the team are enough. They are going to enter the enemy's fortress, right? Here. I got a blue print of the fort. It's not really clear though." She said as she took out a blue paper from her bag.

Everyone leaned over to see the blue print. They were shocked. "Ayumi-chan, how did you get a blue print of the fortress?" Ruchi asked.

Ayumi smiled. "I asked one of the jounins to post as a soldier from the sound in order to get a blue print of the fortress." She then faced Tsunade and bowed down. "Tsunade-sama, I'm very sorry to do an action during a very important matter in a very important time without your permission. I know that you won't agree with my plan so I asked a jounin instead. I'm lucky that he agreed... more importantly, I'm glad that he survived. But I really insist that we will need this blue print for the war. Actually, I never expected this to come in handy for saving Hinata-san." She explained.

Tsunade nodded. "I forgive your action. But Nara Ayumi, once you do this again, I will assure you that the punishment won't be light."

"Hai Tsunade-sama."

"Very well, Ayumi, continue."

Ayumi nodded. "The first members are Uchiha Sasuke, Hyuuga Neji, Rock Lee, Uzumaki Naruto, Hyuuga Reika, Uchiha Lan, Uchiha Keiki, and Hyuuga Hro, am I right? Well... they are now eight all in all then add up the seven more. That makes the team to consist of fifteen members. Don't you think that it's a bit risky? Because look. If the team would use the hidden passages of the fort, I'm afraid that they may be spotted easily. It would be very risky." She said.

Shikamaru nodded. "Yes, you're right. But remember whom we're up against. It's the sound with Uchiha Itachi. Remember that the sound is very bloodthirsty and even the youngest men and women are trained to the death in order to be soldiers so expect to meet a lot of strong shinobis to attack you inside the fort. And besides, remember that they know that we have no choice but to save Hinata by force. I'm pretty sure that they're expecting that already. Therefore, I'm sure that they would leave their most skillful shinobis inside the fort. We need more members in order to make sure that we would stand a chance." He explained.

Everyone nodded in agreement. "I hate to say this but your father's right, Ayumi." Ino said as she crossed her arms then grinned at Shikamaru. "Though your daughter also has a point Shika. I guess she inherited your brains. Luckily not the attitude and the looks though." She said.

"What do we do then for the time being?" Lee asked.

"We do what we could do for the moment, Lee." Shikamaru said. "It's either we can rest, or train more. I suggest to half train and half rest for the rescue team. We still have twenty four hours before we attack. And besides, we still have to wait for Gaara and the genins."

Suddenly, a swirl of sand came upon the room. Gaara and the three genins, together with Temari appeared.

"You won't have to wait any longer, Nara-san. We're here." Temari said. The genins nodded in agreement.

"Hi Reika-chan!" Ring called cheerfully. Reika nodded in acknowledgement.

Yamaru, Lan, and Tai looked at the three genins who just appeared.

'Hmm... that girl with the buns looks incapable. But then again, don't judge a book by its cover. The other girl with the twin kodachis looks good. And the other one with the purple eyes looks tough. Hn. No problem. As long as they don't slow the group down.' Yamaru thought.

'That girl with the buns are kind of interesting. She reminds me of Tenten- san. The other two looks good. I wonder if they got the speed. If they do, then that's good.' Tai thought to himself.

Lan shifted his weight to his left foot as he silently looked at the three genins. 'It's Ring-san and Mika-san. I know them, but I don't really know their abilities. Hmm... who's the other girl? She must be Akabane Ame.' He thought.

Just then, the door suddenly barged open and Gai, together with Asuma and Kurenai ran inside, panting.

"Gai, Asuma, Kurenai, what's wrong?" Tsunade asked. The three jounins were sweating hard with their faces full of panic.

"Tsunade-sama, the sound-nins are approaching us!" Kurenai exclaimed.

Temari gritted her teeth. "Just great. Kankuro is still assembling the shinobis back at Sunagakure."

Naruto stood up from his seat. "Tsunade-sama! If we want to save Hinata then we got to do it now!" He exclaimed.

Tsunade nodded, seeing that Naruto was totally serious now, for once addressing her with proper respect. "Right. Gaara, Ring, Mika, Ame, Yamaru, Tai, Shinji, go and join the rescue team. Shikamaru, Ino, go and check the boarders! Ayumi, Ruchi, go and inform Anko about this and tell her to assemble the troops! Gai, go get Kakashi! Kurenai, Asuma, go and lead the civilians to safety! Now!" She ordered.

Everyone nodded and disappeared. Tsunade slumped down on her hair and held her head. "This has gone from bad to worse."

=Rescue Team=

"Okay. Everyone prepared?" Sasuke asked as he faced the group. Everyone nodded. "Okay then. Let's go." 'Itachi... I shall have my revenge in this.' He thought as they walked over to the gate in where the troops would be waiting.

At the troops' area, they rescue team scanned through the shinobis and gave Anko and Kurenai an approving nod.

"They seemed well prepared, Anko-san, Kurenai-san." Sasuke said. Anko and Kurenai nodded as they bowed a little in respect.

"Thank you, Sasuke-san. But we're afraid that we don't have enough time for that." Kurenai said. Sasuke nodded as he scanned the shinobis once again. At Konoha, since Sasuke was the current leader of the Uchiha clan, everyone respected him and acknowledged his strength even more.

So let's just say that they somewhat fear him a bit.

Naruto walked to the side of Sasuke and stared at him. "Well?" He asked. Sasuke stared coldly back at him.

"Dobe, do your job."

Naruto huffed as he made his favorite handseal. "You have no right to order me around, bastard. Kage bunshin no jutsu!"

Fifteen kage bunshins appeared and awaited the original's order. Naruto nodded as he pointed the clones one by one. "You, change to Sasuke, Neji, Gaara, Lan, Keiki, Reika, Yamaru, Hro, Lee, Ring, Mika, Ame, Yamaru, Tai, and Shinji. Oh! And you..." He faced the last kage bunshin who was still on his original's form. "Stay that way."

He then watched as the other fourteen kage bunshins changed form. Naruto nodded in approval. "Good. Oh! And don't forget to act like your representations. Try to copy their techniques if you could... though I know that you can't. Well... just imitate how they move, speak, and act. Got that?" He instructed.

The kage bunshins nodded. "Okay. Now go to your positions."

"Uhh... Naruto-san..." The kage bunshin who stayed the same called. "Yes?" "Well... I was wondering... where are our positions?" He asked.

"Go and ask Anko-san." He replied.

The kage bunshins nodded and went to Anko. Neji snickered as he walked beside him. "You really know how to order your clones. You've really improved." Neji said.

"If you need me to remind you," Naruto said without looking at him. "We are at war. I'm afraid that you won't see lively and cocky ole me at this situation especially now that Hinata is really involved in this."

Neji smiled slightly. "I see that you really love my cousin, huh?"

Naruto grinned at him. "Do you really need to ask?"

Gaara looked at the genin by the corner of his eye. It seems that even the genins were nervous and excited at the same time.

"Hey! Hey! Guys, what do you think of this situation?" Ring asked energetically as she gripped two kunais on both hands. "I can't wait for action!" She exclaimed as she unconsciously threw the kunais, nearly hitting Reika and Mika.

It was a good thing they evaded, knowing how skilled Ring is with her aim. "Sheesh! Ring, I acknowledge you for being skilled with your aim, but would you please control yourself? You nearly hit me." She said.

Ring sweatdropped. "Sorry."

"Well... about your question," Ame started. "I say no comment."

Mika sighed as she crossed her arms. "You know, Ame, if you would talk, which I believe rarely happens in your case, make your line worthwhile." She said.

"Hn." Ame 'hned' as she closed her eyes and stood quietly. Lan looked at the three older genins who were standing in silence. Reika was just staring into space and Hro was looking at her feet.

'Is she still uncomfortable with us around? She's starting to act like Hinata-san.' Lan thought as he looked at Reika again. 'Then again, Reika is like her except that she isn't really shy. What happened to Hro's I'm- superior-than-you attitude when their group met?'

Lan narrowed his eyes as his stare met Tai's, whose eyes were also staring at him. And thus, the staring-more-like-glaring contest between the two began.

"Kids, we just got the order. Let's go." Gaara said as he slowly walked towards the other shinobis. The kids watched as Tenten went near Lee and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Lee automatically blushed as Tenten giggled and said something about the kiss being good luck. Lee nodded as he kissed Tenten on the forehead.

The kids almost threw up.

"Rescue team, let's go." Sasuke said as they jumped towards the forest, hearing Anko's voice commanding the shinobis to move.

'Hinata, please be alright. We're coming.' Naruto thought as his fists turned white.

Sasuke was in the lead with Naruto and Neji following close by. The others were not far ahead. Neji looked at the other members behind them and decided to give them a piece of his mind.

"Everyone, listen up. I have a plan. Sasuke and I will take the lead to see whether there will be danger. Naruto would stay in the middle of the group together with Gaara. Yamaru, Reika, and Hro will stay at the back to know if there will be any attacks from behind. Ame and Mika would take the sides. Ring will stay in the middle of everyone in where there will be a space between every person so when Sasuke and I detect any enemy shinobis nearby, Ring will attack them with projectiles (?). Her aim is currently the best in our group so we'll leave the aiming to her. Lan and Keiki would stay in the sides as well to detect any movement. The others will stay in the middle and reserve their strength. Did I make myself clear?" Neji explained as they jumped from tree to tree.

"Crystal." Everyone said in unison.

"To their positions." Sasuke directed. Everyone they swiftly went to their destined positions.

Naruto grinned at Neji. "Good plan, Neji. Never knew you were also good at plans... though not as good as Shikamaru, I'm afraid." He said.

"Ring, in front." Neji directed. Ring nodded and threw ten senbon needles at the same time. They saw two sound shinobis on the ground with the needles sticking out of them. The first shinobi has one in his heart, another was in the chest with the another three stuck on the arms.

The other shinobi has two on his heart with the other three on his neck. Ame and Mika stared emotionlessly at the dead shinobis. Ring felt sorry for the shinobis as always as Reika commented on how weird Ring is for a shinobi.

When Ring asked why, Reika said something about Ring killing without hesitation then feeling sorry for the shinobis that she killed.

"Hmm... it seems that the sound are also careful after all. They still have a few shinobis on guard here in the forest." Yamaru said.

Tai 'hned' as he smirked. "Yeah... but they are still very foolish to send out the weak ones."

=Fortress=

"Itachi-sama, the Konoha shinobis are ready for war." A sound-nin said as he kneeled down before Itachi.

"Who are the important shinobis of the leaf present?" Itachi asked as his eyes blazed with the color of the sharingan.

The sound-nin continued kneeling. "Uzumaki Naruto, Hyuuga Neji, Gaara of the Sand, Uchiha Sasuke, and other of the skillful leaf-nins, Itachi-sama. They are all prepared for battle."

Itachi nodded before giving out his order.

"Send the shinobis to battle, but leave some of the most skilled behind." Itachi ordered. The sound-nin did not waste any more words of his as he bowed down and disappeared to direct Itachi's order.

Itachi smiled evilly. 'If you leaf-nins think you have deceived me, then that's where you're wrong. You may have deceived my shinobis, but you have not deceived me.'

He stood up from his chair and went to a room with a huge arena.

'Before they can retrieve Hyuuga Hinata, I want to have a little game... that is... if they survive...'

=Warfield=

"Tsunade-sama," Kakashi said as he kneeled down before her in respect. "The shinobis are ready. We await your orders."

Tsunade nodded. "Very well. What is the current report about the rescue team?" She asked as she stared at Kakashi.

"One of our shinobis said that he saw them about five miles away from the enemy fortress." He said.

"Alright. At this rate, we would need to advance." Tsunade then stood up from her seat. "Send the shinobis now! Nara Shikamaru!" She called.

Shikamaru was instantly beside Kakashi. "Yes Hokage-sama?"

"Send the shinobis to war now!"

"Hai!"

The two shinobis disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Hmm... now let's see how the rescue team are fairing.

"How much father, otousan?" Keiki asked. "I'm excited for a battle!"

"Be patient, Keiki." Sasuke replied without even looking at his son. Naruto grinned at him. "Puh! But I know that your blood is already boiling... awaiting the time in where you will settle the score and get your revenge against Itachi." Naruto said.

Sasuke glared at him with angry sharingan eyes. "Don't you even say his name again, Naruto if you know what's good for you." He said dangerously.

Naruto's grin widened. "Hey... no need to be mad at me Sasuke. And besides..." His face turned serious as he faced forward. "I also have a grudge against that man now. He kidnapped Hinata... and waged a war against Konoha... I won't let that pass, Sasuke-bastard." He said as his eyes narrowed.

"Never."

Gaara stared at Naruto, slightly surprised at the blond's change of attitude. The genins stayed silent, knowing very well not to butt in to their conversation.

Naruto grinned once more. "But of course, no need to worry about. I'll leave the killing to you." Once again, Naruto turned serious. "Just let me have my own opportunity to take my own revenge against him. Is that a deal?"

"..."

"Sasuke, I'm serious."

"Fine dobe. Deal."

The group was silent after that conversation. That was until the silence was broken when they reached the gate of the fortress.

"We're here." Ame said as her eyes narrowed, indicating her thirst for battle. Mika narrowed her eyes as well, while Ring sighed.

"Does that mean I need to..." Due to a lack of other terms besides that word, she didn't have another choice but to use that word that she hates again. "... kill shinobis again?"

"If you don't want to say that word badly then just say 'exterminate' instead of the word 'kill', alright?" Shinji said.

Ring nodded. "Thanks. I'll keep that in check."

Lan decided to pipe in the conversation. "Why do you hate that word anyway?" He asked. Ring shrugged.

"I don't really know." She replied.

"Seriously, Ring. You don't know?" Mika asked. Ring nodded.

She shifted her weight to the other foot. "Yes. I'm serious. I don't why but that word sends scary chills on my spine..."

The shinobis decided not to press on the topic any longer and stayed silent. "Ring, could you ki... err... exterminate those bugs with your needles?" Naruto said, careful not to say that word again.

Ring nodded. "Sure Naruto-san. That I can do." She then took out two needles and threw them at the two guards, hitting them at the neck. The two guards fell down.

"I'm done."

Yamaru then spoke up. "You didn't kill them. You just placed them in a death-like trance. Am I right?" He asked.

Ring nodded and stared at her sandals. "Sorry. I don't want to kill anyone anymore."

Gaara, finally spoke up. "Ring, listen up."

That got Ring's attention. "Hai Gaara-sensei?"

"Remember that we are at war. During wars, death is a game. The victor stays alive, the loser dies. There is no exceptions." Gaara said.

"But Gaara-sensei..."

"Let me ask you, Ring. What are you fighting for?" He asked.

Ring thought for a moment. "I want to protect the people that I love." She answered as she faced the genins. "My friends... Reika, Mika, Ame, Lan, Keiki, Temari-sensei, and even you Gaara-sensei. You are all important to me and I want to protect you all." She said.

Gaara nodded. "You're like everyone. They are all fighting for something. Hn. Naruto is fighting to save the girl he loves. Sasuke fights for vengeance. The others fight for peace. And in order to attain that... during a war... you need to kill. War is a gamble. You need to set your emotions aside. Do you understand?"

"Hai Gaara-sensei. I understand. I'll do my best."

"Good."

"Hey Gaara, that's the longest line I've heard you say since I met you! Ring, is Gaara a good teacher?" Naruto asked.

Ring nodded and smiled. "Yeah! Gaara-sensei is the best sensei in the whole wide world!" She exclaimed.

Naruto grinned. "Gee Gaara. I never thought of you that way."

Gaara blushed. "Shut up, Uzumaki." (A/N: Gaara blushed!!! Ahh!!! I can still handle Gaara smiling (if he ever did smile even once) but blushing?! Ahh!!! It's the end of the world!!! Joke!)

"Shh! It's no time for chit-chats. Look." Neji said as he indicated more sound-nins going out of the fortress. "They're leaving. Keep quiet and hide your chakra."

=Later on=

"Now is our chance." Lan said. "We should use the wall."

Sasuke nodded. "I agree. Let's go."

The team then jumped over the wall and entered using one of the secret passages, totally unaware of the surprise that awaits them inside the fortress.

Author's notes: So how did this one go? I hope you like it. Sigh... I know. I made a lousy ending. I just don't know how to end this chapter so I just made a random thought. I hope that I did alright. Sheesh! I know that I made Gaara OOC so... sorry guys. Do you like it? Reviews please!