Chapter 2

Bringing Home the Troops

"So you're the one who was found outside of our gates. Who are you?" Tsunade was looking at one of the papers on her desk. Anbu and Jounin filled the room. The person before them had no forehead protector, or papers, and the only identification he had seemed to be in a language unlike any of them had ever seen before. There was no way to tell if he was friend or foe.

"I'm Techno."

"Techno what?"

"Techno-kun if you like, but san is fine too."

"Why are you here?" Tsunade was glaring at the young man before her.

"I'm on vacation," the young man stated, matter-of-factly.

"Why would anyone go to a village in the middle of a war, for vacation?" The Hokage asked, obviously not believing him.

"A war? With the sound?" Tsunade nodded. From her stand point this was common knowledge. "Has Sasuke been brought back?"

"Use the proper respect when you are speaking of one of Konoha's ninja," demanded a man with very noticeable scars on his face. He stood behind the Tsunade, playing with a kunai.

"Is he back or not?"

"That is no business of yours." Tsunade said coldly.

"Answer the damn question."

"We are the ones asking the questions. Maybe if you tell us what we want to know, we might tell you later." The man shouted slamming the hand with the kunai down on the Hokage's desk.

"Well that's just great," said a very irritated Techno. "While you question me at least two of the genin you sent to look for him may be dieing." A murmur went up from the ninja in the room. "Choji and Neji are badly hurt, Kiba and Akamaru are with one of the sand nin, but are both in bad shape too. Naruto headed toward two giant ninja carvings separated by a waterfall. He left a trail of fighting ninjas along the way."

"I believe I know of the place he is talking about. It sounds like the Valley of the End," remarked one of the Jounin.

"How do you know all of this?" Tsunade asked the boy.

"Long story. Dispatch now, talk later." Tsunade nodded and pointed to the Jounin and two Anbu. The three ninja bowed and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"Now tell us this long story," said the man with the kunai. He was glaring at the young man as if he were about to attack him right then.

Techno glared back at the man. "First off, knock off the intimidation tactics. Since I was going to tell you guys everything anyway, all you're doing is coming off as an ass." A few snickers could be heard around the room, including that of Tusnade. "Secondly, sit down, because we will probably be here a while."

-

On a silent battlefield, only two living beings were present. Both were on the laying ground. Neither one moved. Then, slowly, one figure opened his eyes and began to sit up. Shakily he got to his feet, and walked over to the other figure.

The blond haired genin looked over the unconscious form of his dark haired opponent. Black markings like that of the level 1 cursed seal were now covering the young Uchiha's body. His breathing was steady, but he gave no indication of waking up. There were cuts and bruises all over the bodies of both boys.

"Dammit, now I have to carry your butt all the way back to Konoha." With a grunt, Naruto hoisted Sasuke onto his back. Slowly he began to walk.

-

"You're not making sense again." Tsunade sat at her desk holding her head. A few of the other ninja were in similar situations, and positions. For the past four hours Techno had been trying to explain the 'science' behind different dimensions and travel between them.

Techno let go a frustrated sigh. "Let me try this a different way. You guys have TV, right?" Tsunade nodded, hands still on her head. "Each TV show is a look into a different dimension. Same with books, manga, and video games. I helped out with a tournament that pitted some of the best fighters from several of these dimensions against each other. Actually two of your ninja, Hatake Kakashi and Nara Shikamaru, took part in the tournament. On a friend of mine's team, actually.

"After the 'Tournament of Heroes(1)' as we named it, everyone . . . well almost everyone, was returned to their worlds and their minds altered so they wouldn't remember the Tournament, at least until the next time they were called for it. This was done so that it would not interrupt the normal flow of events on different worlds." Morino Ibiki, the man with the scars, started to say something, but was cut off.

"The reason your ninja didn't seem to be gone is because one of the head honcho's of the tournament can manipulate time. He's a pretty powerful guy.

"After the fighting was over, we had another fight on our hands. As I said before, I won't go into that adventure,(2) only to say that it was one of interdimensional security. After that, I came here for a little relaxation. I had no idea you guys were still at war. Do you all understand now?"

Tsunade closed her eyes then opened them again. "I understand enough, assuming you are telling the truth."

"Hokage-sama!" a ninja yelled as he burst through the door. "They're back."

-

Sakura walked through the streets, toward her home. The evening air was brisk, but not enough to deter her from her thoughts. 'Hinata likes Naruto. I guess with the way she always looks at him, it shouldn't be that big of a surprise. Still, it's Naruto. He's loud, obnoxious, annoying, not to mention he's a moron. What does she see in him? Especially when there are people that are so much better like . . .'

" . . . Uchiha Sasuke." Sakura looked up at the two women walking by.

"They found him?" the second woman asked.

"Yes, but the search team was in very bad shape. And so was the Uchiha boy." Sakura went pale. "They took him to the hospital, but the one who carried . . ." Sakura bolted for the hospital, not bothering to hear the rest of the conversation. " . . . him in was that damned Kyuubi boy."

"That boy can't do anything right. The other genin must have done all the work, while he just let everyone get hurt."

(1)The Tournament of Heroes was a message board battle in which we describe our attacks and give our opponent a chance to counter. Information on this tournament is available (and recommended) through e-mail or the board itself.

(2)This adventure takes place in a follow-up fic (Children of Eternity) based on the Tournament of Heroes. While it won't be necessary to read it for this fic, it is recommended simply because it is a good read. This too, is available through e-mail or at The Shrine to Ghaleon, in the Fanfic archive, under Message Board Madness.

Author's notes: I'm not sorry for the semi-cliff hanger. It's part of good writing so people need to get used to it. I got some comments about whether I can live up to what I have boasted. I do not know if I will truly be able to pull it off, but I will try my hardest. Only time will tell. As for Techno, one review remarked on his name. I will say right now that there is a reason behind his name, which will come out as more of his back story is revealed. We are about to see some of Techno's power. As the story progresses I will keep Techno's display of power to only when absolutely needed so as not to take over the story. He comes by the majority of his power honestly, by the way (not me just making it up on the spot, but through gaming and other things he has been involved with). On a personal note to TimeShifter, I am a huge fan of Two Halves. Until next time.

"Stories are never finished, they are only stopped."

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