(Yet another mini-Author's Note: Err… for those of you that have me on author alert… disregard that random story. That was my little sister, who somehow got into my account while I was still logged in. If you really care to read intentionally poor-written Passions-Highlander crossovers though… umm… I think she left it on my computer somewhere. New Year Fools? Anyway! This chapter's a bit of a short one, but I think it's the very first that focuses only on Naruto characters. It'll probably be much longer in the final version, because there's a lot more going on behind the scenes now that I need to point out. And everyone will be happy to know that this story does actually have an ending now. It's outlined, but not written. I'll probably write it on the train back to school tomorrow night, if I'm still awake. Hooray! And sorry about that random story thing… hehehe. I should know better than to leave my laptop around like that).

It was midday in Konoha, but the light of the sun didn't brighten the village as it usually did. A strange pallor settled over the village. They had begun to feel it the night before – the world's power was being pulled away into some distant black hole of chakra. It was the final sign they'd been waiting for, and when it began the village actually seemed to relax. The tension that had been building up since it was discovered that Akatsuki was about to make their move was quickly funnelled into their preparations for the imminent battle. Nearly half of the village would leave later that night for Akatsuki's hideout. Few people, at a time like this, would think to take the time to stop and eat, but two people were sitting in the Ichiraku anyway. The store owner treated them both for free, grateful for the distraction from the ominous atmosphere of the day.

For the first time Jiraiya had seen, Naruto at his ramen slowly, actually taking the time to taste it. He allowed himself to smile a little – it had barely been a year since the two had left to start his training and already he had matured a lot. He still hadn't lost his childish side, but he kept it in check more effectively. Perhaps, Jiraiya thought, it was because since Sauske had disappeared he had a more immediate goal in sight than becoming Hokage. Becoming the Hokage was nebulous goal, and there were too many different ways to get there for it to provide the right kind of motivation. Naruto still sought Sauske's recognition though, and had promised to return him to the village. And he would do that. Jiraiya had worked hard to convince Tsunade that it would be best for Naruto to come along, despite the fact that he was still technically a genin. It wasn't hard to prove that Naruto was on the level of most chuunin as far as power went, but she still insisted that he didn't have the control or strategy necessary to accompany them. He'd promised to keep an eye on him, and though Tsunade believed that distracting Jiraiya during the battle would be a major disadvantage, she'd grudgingly agreed, hoping that he had his own plan. Jiraiya wouldn't have asked for Naruto's help if he didn't have a reason for it.

He turned his attention back to Naruto. It was unusual for him to be silent for this long, especially before a battle where he could finally prove himself.

"Are you ready for tonight?"

Naruto nodded and continued eating.

"Don't brood on this too much, Naruto. You shouldn't distract yourself."

"I know." It was almost unnerving to see Naruto this serious, but after a few more bites his trademark determination lightened the expression on his face. "I'll bring him back for sure! I promised!"

"Good," Jiraiya smiled and took a small sip of his sake. "You remember what you need to do?"

Naruto nodded again.

"Of course I know!"

Naruto's mission was one of the most important, and the most dangerous. Jiraiya had done his best to keep it a secret from everyone except those that were directly involved in it. There would be a feint against the outer defences of the Akatsuki stronghold just long enough to sneak Naruto in. His only job was to retrieve Sauske. Jiraiya knew that he would never leave alive without having killed Itachi, but he continued to hope that maybe, just maybe, Naruto would be able to save him. Though Sauske was technically a missing-nin and a threat to the leaf village, Naruto would never allow his fellow ninjas to go against one of their own. Without Sauske around, he'd grown to understand the importance of teamwork even more. While working with Team 7 he felt he'd finally been accepted, and losing that to Sauske's bull-headed selfishness was unpardonable. There were still people in the village that cared for him whether he avenged his family or not, and if he had to knock him unconscious and drag him back to prove it, so be it.

Naruto was finishing his first bowl of ramen and preparing to leave when a hand patted down on his shoulder. Iruka ordered a second helping of ramen for Naruto and sat down to watch him eat. As soon as Naruto noticed his visitor he immediately slouched into his usual nonchalant countenance. For some reason, he wasn't willing to let Iruka see him being serious, even now. He let him watch him eat, though. For some reason the adults liked to watch him tonight. At least it wasn't unusual for Iruka. The man often treated him to ramen, and had given up on conversation that was more often than not drowned out by slurping noises. Let them get a head start in basking in his brilliance then, Naruto thought. Iruka knew what he'd have to do tonight - he was part of the feint that would be staged as the distraction. Naruto couldn't help but feel worried for him, but he pushed the thoughts out of his mind as he finished his ramen. Iruka smiled as he stood to go, but he couldn't think of anything to say to Naruto that didn't sound out of place. He finally settled on a simple "Good Luck" and ruffled Naruto's hair. Naruto grinned up at him.

"Iruka-sensei, you'd better be here when they make me Hokage after this!"

He nodded and left the shop. Outside the first waves of ninjas were leaving the village to stand guard at the borders. Already some of them would be arriving at the outskirts of Akatsuki's hideout. Inside the Ichiraku, Naruto turned to Jiraiya who was still sipping slowly at his sake, seemingly deep in thought. His eyes were focused a little too heavily on the lady behind the counter to be lost in any kind of serious thought, though. Naruto poked him in the arm, his happy energy returning as the start of his mission loomed closer.

"Hey, hey, isn't it time to go?"

Jiraiya looked at the bottle of sake in front of him. It was still half full, but it was never a good idea to drink too much before a battle. Just enough to loosen you up, and that was it. It was still a shame to see it go to waste, though.

"Ero-sennin, I'll finish that for you, if you want," Naruto said, eying the bottle in front of his teacher hopefully. Jiraiya stood and laughed, putting an arm around Naruto and escorting him out of the shop, nodding thanks to the owner.

"Not now. Maybe when we return."

They stepped out into the cool afternoon air. The sun was still shining and the sky was cloudless, but the colours were all wrong. It was almost grey, and nothing seemed to hold the same brightness it once did. The world was sick, perhaps, being drained of its vital energy. With luck though, the leaf would be able to stop it, and once again make things right – to stop this cycle of misguided revenge and questing for impossible power.

Everything was quiet. The calm before the storm. Waiting. A lone cloud drifted towards the western horizon slowly turning from faint white to peach to orange. It was a strange contrast in the grey afternoon sky. There was a strange rippling effect over the horizon where Akatsuki's headquarters sat, drawing in the world's chakra. It made it seem like the forest was washing up and down against a stark-still sky. Bits of conversation floated by on the breeze as Naruto and Jiraiya made their way out of the village.

"And then I went outside with my axe…"

"Suppose you taped two ninjas together to make an even bigger ninja…"

The idle, meaningless conversation made between those that were standing around with nothing to do but wait. They waved at Sakura as they passed. She had finally been assigned to a younger group as their medical ninja. She was the fourth in the group, but they didn't exclude her. She was actually talking happily with them, though the concern was evident in her eyes. She too wanted to see Sauske return safely. Her smile pleaded with Naruto as she watched them pass out of the village, then she returned her attention to her group. They would need her help today on the front lines, and though she wouldn't be fighting directly, she was certain they would come to need her help as the battle continued.