To answer TimeShifter's question about how much longer this fanfiction is going to be, this fanfiction is in its final chapters. There's going to be this chapter and at least one more after it. There may be two if I can't fit in the content that I have in my head.

Key

"words" characters talking

words characters thinking or simply italics

(words) author's notes/my thoughts

look at the bottom

January 1. Outskirts of Konoha.9:00 p.m. Reign of the 3rd Hokage (2nd Term)

The sun had just recently set and the moon was full. This was seen as both an asset and a liability for both the ninja of Konoha and the warriors of the far-off lands. The warriors found it as both because they knew that they were harder to see in the failing light, being dressed in black, and they also they that their enemy worked better in the night. The shinobi found the moon as a liability since their enemies were the same color as shadow, however, the light provided a moral boost to those close enough to the scene to see it in the light.

Kaine lay clawing at air, his eyes clouding over and his mouth spurting blood. The boy standing above him dropped the gored vocal chords and smashed his foot into Kaine's neck. His response was a squished gurgle, and the body stopped writhing.

Naruto looked up and smiled. When they saw his face, everyone gasped either audibly or inwardly. His yellow hair was thrown back in dangerous looking spikes and his canines were as long as a fox's. His cheeks had what looked like painted whiskers on them, but the scariest part was his eyes. A black slit for a pupil sliced through the iris which was like a pool of blood.

Nobody moved for the longest time. It was a good minute before Kakashi made up his mind. He entered the center of the carnage and put up his hands, speaking for almost everyone there.

"I believe that there has been enough death for one night. I, for one, am going back to my encampment and resting for tomorrow. Celebrate and drink to your content with your friends. It might be the last time you see them."

Kakashi pulled Naruto back, shaking him out of his Kyubi stupor. "Naruto!" he seethed under his breath, speaking so lowly only Naruto could hear. "If you let him out now, you will waste all your chakra and get us all killed. You won't be able to control him!"

He didn't protest. Actually he enjoyed the possibility of rest and relaxation. Pinching the bridge of his nose, Naruto sighed. "I just killed that man," He put his hands in front of him and stared at them "with these hands."

His sensei nodded. "And do you regret it?"

"No." Naruto said truthfully. "But I do…"

"No!" Kakashi interrupted. "There are no buts. You do what your instincts tell you to do. Otherwise, you fool yourself, and you will not know what you truly are or what you seek."

If the situation wasn't so unusual, Naruto would have laughed at his teacher's comment. But, he remained quiet.

Back at the Shogun's camp, men were sharpening their weapons and practicing their skills in preparation for tomorrow's battle. They would not be so ashamed again. Miruden, Kaine's abandoned apprentice, was reliving the killing of his esteemed mentor in his head. He tried to analyze how the red-clothed shinobi attacked. Miruden felt that next time he met the boy, the boy would be on the ground, writhing for air.

The air of the opposing camp was very different, if not the opposite. Men were gathered around blazing fires, telling their victories of the day. To everyone's surprise, Sasuke was right along side the drunken shinobi, singing songs about Konoha's past. Sakura decided not to spoil is fun, but instead, offered him more rice wine, which he declined and determinedly kissed her. This caused rough laughter from everyone in the vicinity, even Sakura herself laughed.

The other two were also inseparable. Actually, they were always connected somehow. Either their hands were in each other's grasp or they were embracing one another. At the current moment, Naruto had Hinata's head tucked under his chin, and his arms around her. They both sat around the warmth of the fire and company of good friends, laughing at Sasuke's drunk antics and gasped at some of the amazing stories narrated by the good Hokage himself; who took quite some coaxing to do so.

Anything Hinata could have done for Naruto; as Sakura did for Sasuke; was pushed aside whenever she offered it to Naruto. He didn't care about her politeness or what she did for him. Her being there was enough. At times, Naruto was the one offering her food and refreshments.

As the night wore on, one by one, people said their good nights and headed to their tents to sleep over the merriment of the evening. It wasn't long before only the most powerful men and few women were gathered in a circle around the last living flame in the camp. The Hokage headed the group, seated in a chair above those around him.

Naruto, Sasuke, Lee, Neji and Kakashi were some of the several present. Of course, seated right in Naruto's lap was Hinata who stared into the flames which seemed to dance in her presence. Hokage brought order and got to the point.

"As you all undoubtedly know, there is going to be a large battle tomorrow. Does anyone have a plan of attack? I understand we have the skill over these men, but not the numbers. I'm open to suggestions."

There was a moment of silence. Kakashi broke it with his suggestion. "We could be very old fashioned and perform an assassination tonight. I would be the one doing the honors, if you don't mind."

Hokage seemed to think it over, but was interrupted by Kurenai, her face plastered in anxiety. "But Kakashi, surely they would have expected this from a village of ninja. You'll be ambushed and killed!"

The village champion calmed her with a hand. "Now, now Kurenai, I was about to say the same thing. That maneuver would be totally absurd. I'm looking for something more along the lines of battle strategies."

A fox-masked ANBU raised his hand and spoke. "Would a strike and run attack seem affective. Send a small task force and perform guerilla tactics."

This seemed to get a murmur of approval. Kakashi looked at the speaker and nodded his appraisal. Hokage bobbed his head in thought.

Then Naruto heard a small voice. At first he wasn't sure if he heard it due to the whispering and mumbling people. He listened again and heard it more clearly. He smiled and decided to let his comrades know.

"Hey, quiet!" he yelled.

It took a short amount of time for everyone to shut up and listen to what Naruto had to say. Instead of talking, he pointed at Hinata, who continued to stare into the flames.

The Hokage looked at her sternly and said, "What do you have to say young Hyuga?"

"Well Hokage; your excellence; I just don't see a point to all the killing. Think about it. Who is the one who feels that his country should attack another: the leader and his advisers?"

"Are you getting somewhere Hinata," Neji asked rather violently.

She held her hand out, signaling him to bear with her. "Now ask yourself, who does the fighting? The warriors do all the dirty work. Why?"

"Because they are loyal to their country," the ANBU who spoke earlier said with a jingoistic tone.

"By choice or by law," Hinata inquired.

This brought a silence of realization to the circle.

"So why do they fight and die for something they don't believe in," she asked them.

"Ms. Hyuga, not to be rude, but could you please get to the point?" Kakashi said.

"Sure." Hinata cleared her throat. "I propose that we approach the fight much like the one that was taken earlier today. Take those who truly wish to fight for this cause and pit them against their enemies. For instance, it would be our best and most loyal against their captains. Doesn't it make sense?"

A unanimous vote was taken that their attack scheme tomorrow would be the one Hinata proposed. After the vote was taken, the Hokage looked straight into Hinata's eyes and said "You are a very wise and mature young woman for your age Hinata. Hiashi should be very proud of you."

When the meeting was adjourned, Naruto walked Hinata to her personal tent and they stopped in front. The young man stared into her eyes and said with all sincerity, "That was a great thing you did tonight. You may have saved our country from hundreds of casualties."

He managed not to say that she increased the death probability of those few who would face off.

"You've grown a lot since the first time I first time I saw you, and I'm very proud of you Hinata," he whispered. Naruto hugged her warmly and kissed her on the forehead. "Good night."

Swallowing her courage, Hinata managed to grab Naruto's hand before he walked away. "Naruto," she said blushing, "I have something to show you before you go."

Hiashi watched as his daughter and her boyfriend slipped into the confines of her tent, knowing that Naruto wouldn't be out of it until morning. Under any other circumstances, Hiashi would be in there, skinning the boy alive. However, due to certain foresights of his, he wanted Hinata to have as much fun as possible.