Hello! I hope you'll like this chapter!

Disclaimer: I own the OCs in this fic, the rest is Masashi Kishomoto's. Sorry for any spelling mistakes or any OCCness.

Character age:

Akane, Itachi: 22

Naruto, Sasuke: 16/17

Shisui: 25

Kakashi: 30

"I have no idea in what world my father lives in if he thinks I'd take his side in this matter over Itachi's," Sasuke told me, hands in his pockets as we were walking to my mother's.

"It can't be easy as a father." Sasuke just scoffed.

"Well maybe he should question himself for once instead of planning the wedding at the end of the year." Yeah...he moved it.

Itachi was not happy. Just the mention of his father would make the temperature of the room Itachi was in drop and he'd glare at anyone talking to him.

Anyway, we reached the house and I blinked in shock at the blond head at the table.

"Naruto?" Sasuke called him. He barely raised frustrated blue eyes to us.

"Hey…" I walked up to him and straightened him up. He sighed and leaned his head against me. "I can't do it!"

"How so?"

"Apparently Kurama's messing my little success in training!"

"It sucks," Sasuke commented casually, getting something to drink from the fridge. Naru just glared at him. "Want a motivation dobe?"

"What?" Sasuke pointed at me.

"Change of plan, we're getting married in December." Naru just blinked at him, then slowly looked at me.

"...let's just say there are some...issues right now."

"What kind of iss…" I flicked him in the forehead.

"Don't bother your mind with that, focus on your training." He furrowed his brows in worry and I just grinned.

Last time...last time Naru mastered the Sennin Mode when Pain attacked Konoha...right, so Jiraya-san's was dead and his death was a huge motivation for old Naruto. Right now...well, Kurama's chakra interfering was not surprising but he'd manage at some point, it was just…

Jiraya-san was alive right now, I didn't want him to die but...Naru probably wasn't motivated enough as he really knew how much his godfather had faith in him when he no longer was there to tell him.

"Mom's not here?"

"She went grocery shopping when I got back for tonight, Ganbaru went too and Fū wasn't there."

I stayed for maybe an hour and left to buy some things. On the way I spotted Shisui's curly head. After checking if he was alone, I ran up to him and put my hand on his shoulder. He tensed and turned around, his senses on alert in spite of being in the middle of the crowd. I blinked in shock at the harsh gaze he had until he recognized me and relaxed a little.

"Hi?" I said in confusion.

"Sorry, I…" I frowned. The bags under his eyes...and his hair was longer than he used to have it, a little unkempt.

"Are you okay?" I asked him more harshly than intended. He blinked and chuckled weakly.

"I...I could be better I guess?" He rubbed the back of his head and looked at a black curl. "Yeah, it's gotten quite long, I see whe…"

"Shisui!" He jumped at my raising voice. "You're a step away from falling asleep in the middle of the street!" He opened his mouth but I grabbed his hand, pulling him in an alley on the side. "Alright, spill it out you dummy." He blinked at me.

"I…I'm so sorry Akane." I raised a brow when he widened his eyes in horror before sliding along the wall. He grabbed his head and shook it. "I'm so, so sorry!"

"For what?" I sat down next to him, keeping the disgust of sitting next to a dumpster to myself.

"I...Manami told Fugaku-san about Itachi and you because I told her and...and she doesn't like you because I used to be in love with you and now the wedding has been moved to December and…" I sighed and forced him to put his head on my shoulder, my hand in his hair.

"Relax Shisui, no one's dead. If anything, you should worry about yourself."

"Huh?"

"You don't sleep well, do you?" He looked down. "And you must be torturing your brain because of all that and keeping it all to yourself, right?" He nodded. "You know we miss you, right? Then when you're ready we'll be here."

"...even if Itachi hates me?"

"He doesn't hate you, he's hurting too I think." He was quiet at that.

"Does he treat you well?" I was taken back at the question.

"...yes, he does." He moved away and sniffed deeply.

"Good, that's good."

I wanted to say something, anything, to make him understand that if Manami was putting him in that state, then maybe it was time to call it quite. Yet, my lips remained sealed.

"Shisui, promise me something." He looked at me. "If you're in an uncomfortable position, leave it?" He blinked before grinning.

It was so fake.

"Sure, promised!" He stood up and dusted himself. "Sorry for worrying you Akane, I'll be fine." I stood up too and waved back at him when he left.

I really wasn't reassured though.

August ended, September rolling in. People enjoyed the end of the heat and sunshine as much as they could, yet here I was in Tsunade-san's office, Jiraya-san's on the side. I gulped back the lump in my throat as the Hokage was standing still at her window, staring at the village.

"The Raikage sent a message." I pursed my lips. "Ame and Iwa contacted him to have Kumo fight with them. He turned them down."

"So, Ame and Iwa…"

"They both see Konoha, Kiri and Suna alliance as too dangerous to continue and as I thought, war has been waged on us." Colors left my face. "I will make an official statement tomorrow morning, preparations will start immediately."

"When am I supposed to leave for Kiri?"

"Tomorrow at dawn, before the announcement. The Mizukage wants you in Kiri when she makes her own statement." I nodded. It was normal for sensei to want me back. "Kumo will remain neutral. Unfortunately, it seems Iwa has already started fights in the Land of Water."

"I see. What is the strategy then?"

"So far we don't have much, but Ame is at the border of the Land of Fire and Land of Wind, it is also the Akatsuki HQ so we might focus our forces here at first and block as much forces as possible to reach the sea. That being said, we have the Uchiha clan with us, so I can spare a few shinobis to Kiri, just tell me which ones." I pursed my lips.

"If Iwa is attacking right now, then I only need two." She turned around to look at me. "Sasuke and Kakashi. Sasuke is used to Kiri and how we fight, he knows many talented shinobi from there and worked with them, involving him in our strategies will be easy. Kakashi is a veteran of the last war, of Kannabi Bridge and the Yellow Flash' student, Iwa has not forgotten. Plus, I work best with these two in Konoha." She nodded.

"Good call."

"Go get them," Jiraya-san said. "We'll sum up what Kakashi knows about Iwa and provide additional information if needed, right Tsunade?" She shot him a quick look and nodded.

"I should...get them now…"

Kakashi must have known a few things because he already knew from my face what I was going to tell him. Sasuke and Itachi were training so we found them easily.

"Sasuke!" They stopped and turned toward us. Sasuke frowned and put his katana back in its sheath. "You have to come with us at the Hokage's office."

"Is it urgent?" Kakashi and I both nodded. "Alright." Kakashi and Sasuke started to walk away. I looked next to me, Itachi now by my side with a questioning look in his eyes. "I'm probably gonna eat dinner with my mom and Naru tonight."

"It's bad, isn't it?" I pursed my lips.

"I know the situation is...weird at the moment, but I think you and Sasuke should go at your parents' tonight too." Before he could say anything I walked away.

Sasuke kept a straight and neutral face, like Kakashi, as Tsunade-san explained the situation to them both. She told us she had added Juugo to the team sent to Kiri as he was good for scooting. Once we were told to leave, we stayed on the top of the outside stairs.

"I told your brother you should both go to your parents' tonight," I told Sasuke, who barely nodded, dark eyes stuck onto the view of Konoha. "I will go to Mom's and tell her and Naru the news."

"I'll tell the rest of the team," Kakashi said before leaving in a body flicker.

"It's really happening huh…" I looked down at Konoha too.

"It appears so." I put my hand in his hair. "I'm counting on you to have my back like I'll have yours."

"Obviously."

"Come on, let's go."

There wasn't much to say. My announcement cast a cold in my mother's house, Naru's wide eyes stuck to the table as Mom gulped, cursing another war. She had been through two of them already, it was a lot. Especially knowing I was leaving, but Naru would probably go to war too against Ame, Mom's fuinjutsu skills probably being in high demand by everyone.

"I just don't….understand why…" Naruto whispered to himself. I just put my hand in his hair.

When Kakashi appeared at the door an hour later, I just took his hand and pulled him inside. We left when the night settled in outside, Mom telling me they'd be at the gates to see us off the next morning. I split up from Kakashi shortly after leaving and went to oji-chan's rock head. I was surprised to see Jiraya-san.

"It's a nice spot to think about things, isn't it?" he asked me without looking at me. I stopped next to him and turned to the village.

"It is." I pursed my lips.

I should tell him about Pain, shouldn't I? I mean it was…

"You know, Sarutobi-sensei wasn't scared when he faced Orochimaru, in spite of knowing the most obvious outcome. As his teacher, he must have thought it was his duty to die trying to stop him." I looked at him. "I know because I feel the same. If one of my students uses my teaching to hurt the world...I have to at least try to stop them, even if it kills me. Ultimately...my legacy is already out there." He finally looked down at me and grinned. "There's nothing for you to worry about, I know what my job is Akane, even if it kills me."

My gaze went back to Konoha, the busy streets lightning up the night. It was buzzing with activities, unknowing that tomorrow...everything would change for a while.

That being said, Jiraya-san...he was ready to face Pain and possibly not come back from it. He knew but still…

"Thank you for everything." He blinked. "For Naruto...and for helping us for Kiri. It was an honor to know you this time around Jiraya-san." He laughed and ruffled his hair.

"You can be so formal Akane!" I furrowed my brows. "Of course I'd help one of my favorite readers!" I found myself smiling in spite of myself, in spite of the situation.

"It's a shame I never read them before."

"It sure is!" He cleared his throat and looked at me more seriously. "Iwa and the Tsuchikage are serious threats. Come back from it." I nodded.

"I'll do my best." I watched him leave the Fourth's rock head and shot one last look at Konoha.

Who knew when I'd see it again? I remember having those same thoughts before I went back to Kiri. However this time, instead of leaving alone, Kakashi and Sasuke would be with me.

Unlike last time, when I got home, Itachi was avidly packing for me and not telling me I was a coward. We exchanged a look and I went to the bathroom to get ready for bed. Once that was done, I went to Itachi, still busy with his task. With my foot I moved his chair back and straddled him, hugging him tightly around his neck, my face against his shoulder. He dropped what he had in his hands and hugged me back as tightly, his lips leaving butterfly kisses in my neck.

I opened my mouth to say something but nothing came out except for a strangled squeak.

It was Itachi's cue to stand up, his hands underneath my thighs to lift me up, and take us to my room, his lips moving softly against mine.

Everything was just soft and gentle. The way he put me down on my bed, the way he removed my clothes and his, how he slipped us under the covers, his kisses, his touch...everything was so soft, as if he was trying to take all my fears and anxiety and stupid guilt away.

I flipped him over, now on top. His hands were soft yet firm on my hips as I rocked back and forth on him, wanting to give back but...the concern in his dark eyes wouldn't leave, and then he was blurry.

Blurry?

I stopped moving and touched my cheek, surprised at the wetness. Itachi immediately sat up, grabbed my face and wiped the tears away.

"I'm scared," I whispered quietly as if I was forbidden to admit it. I bit my bottom lip, the lump in my throat bigger and I looked down. "Sorry, I'm sorry I...I'm not in the mood for sex."

"Neither am I." I blinked at him. "I just thought it would make you feel better." I chuckled weakly. His fingers put a lock of hair behind my ear. "Iwa has been hostile with Konoha, Kiri and Suna for a long time. It's not your fault."

"I know, but I can't help this...this guilt to come back all the time." I crossed my hands over my stomach, my nails digging in my seal. I looked down, the Claw covering a third of my left breast and now connected to the seal on my stomach, sinking into it perfectly.

Itachi leaned his forehead against mine, breathing out deeply. I didn't need more to know he felt as bad and scared as me.

"Don't die Itachi," I asked him quietly. "Please." He blinked, his eyes seemingly darker and deeper than usual.

"I hate it." I pursed my lips. "Sasuke and you, you won't be on the same front line. I hate it. What if there's a situation and I'm not here to help you and…" He took in a shaky breath. "I can't lose any of you. I just can't." There was a few minutes of silence, only broken by our breathing.

I put my hands on his cheeks and kissed his forehead. Itachi told me himself how traumatized he was by war since his own father took him to the battlefield when he was four. I knew he had some kind of trauma from his early childhood from the therapy sessions but…

Damn, Fugaku-san was kind of an ass.

"You know, I really liked it when we'd go to the park after therapy." He raised his eyes to me. "I mean, we didn't talk or anything, but...I feel that's when we really became friends. If I get scared of anything on the battlefield...I'll probably think of that, like a happy place of some sort." He chuckled. "What?"

"I love you so much." I blinked, taken back as he kissed me lovingly.

"Same here but...huh?" He shook his head, silently telling me to drop it.

"I won't die, and none of you will either. You better not. I'll watch over everyone here." I blinked and shut my eyes, trying to contain the tears as I buried my face in the crook of his neck.

He hugged me back tightly and laid us both down, pulling the covers back on us. We just spent time looking at each other and kissing, hugging until eventually we fell asleep, limbs tangled with the other's.

When it was time to get up, Itachi ruffled his brother's hair as he got up as well, yawning. Sasuke didn't shoo him away and accepted the toast I offered him. While we were eating quietly, Itachi excused himself for a second.

"When did you get home?"

"Late. I thought nii-san and you...would need some alone time and I didn't want to be around for that." I smiled a little at that. "I went to the training ground where Kakashi made us do the bell test. The whole Team 7 somehow wanted to visit the place at the same time."

"Naruto and Sakura?"

"There were no tears and Naruto promised me he'd take care of Sakura but…" He sighed. "There will be tears in an hour."

"Of course there will be." When we were about to leave, Sasuke stepped away from his brother, who had two fingers stretched out. "You're rude Sasuke."

"He can do that at the gates," was all he said before leaving, shutting the door behind himself.

"Hn." Itachi was pouting. I pulled on his shirt and pointed at my face once he looked down at me. "You're not scared to be embarrassed?"

"He doesn't know what he's missing." It made him smile and he grabbed my waist, leaning down to kiss me.

After a few minutes spent kissing each other, we left the apartment, Sasuke waiting for us outside, casually leaning against the wall, his hands in his pockets. He rolled his eyes when he saw my still pinkish cheeks and I managed to flick him on the forehead.

Mikoto-san and Fugaku-san were already there when we got to the gates. I slowed down and looked away when I met Fugaku-san's gaze.

He...did call me a whore after all, and from how Itachi stepped closer to me, shoulders tensed, it was still fresh in his mind too. However, God blessed Mikoto-san for walking straight to me and hugging me. I hugged her back slowly.

"I'm sorry for my husband Akane, know I am on yours and Itachi's side." I smiled a little and leaned into her motherly embrace. "Be careful, and please…"

"I'll do everything I can to bring your son back in one piece, I swear." She let out a shaky sigh.

"I know you will." She pulled me back and cupped my cheek with a small smile, tears in her eyes.

Mikoto-san was always composed, but as any mother, her sons would always get the most emotions out of her. While Itachi was the heir and had been...trained as such since he was a kid, and had always had a mind older than his body, Sasuke was not like that and...he was still her baby.

No matter how annoyed he could be by that.

Mom, Naruto, Sakura and Kakashi appeared shortly after, Juugo following Tsunade-san and Jiraya-san right after. I was quickly embraced by the two Uzumakis, struggling to breathe a little. Sasuke was busy with his family and Sakura and Kakashi were talking quietly. Then Team Seven was together, there were tears in their group as I was speaking with Tsunade-san and Jiraya-san.

Itachi put his hand on my shoulder when I was done with the two sannins. I turned around and hugged him back as tightly as he did, inhaling his scent that now was home to me. I was aware of Fugaku-san shooting us a dark glance but didn't care.

For all I knew, it might be the last time I'd…

"I wouldn't face you in a fight Akane," he whispered in my ear.

"Your point?"

"I'm quite a competent shinobi." I scoffed and shook my head.

"Yeah, and such a modest one too, I swear." He was smirking when he moved back, proud of himself.

True, he did give me a confidence boost but…

Itachi was modest, don't get me wrong, except when it came to teasing, then…

I sighed and smiled, defeated.

"You're right, I totally can kick your sorry ass Itachi so it should be okay." He frowned, glaring weakly at me.

"I wouldn't go that far Akane." I shrugged and walked away, his dark eyes following me.

Once the goodbyes were done, Tsunade-san took a step forward. She was looking for something to say, but we just nodded at her. She reciprocated quietly.

"Well then," I started. "Good luck to you on that front. Let's go." I took the lead and we ran off, the sun not even up yet.

We ran to the coast and, like for the mission with Haku, I teleported us to the hideout. I frowned though when I realized there seemed to have been changes. I sensed the whole place and blinked before going to the meeting room. The other three followed me.

Dai was there, waiting for us.

"I told Aneki you'd show up here first," he greeted us, the smile there but serious emerald eyes unwavering.

"We're using the hideout again?" He nodded.

"It's not in the village, it will be useful. We've received news of the Hidden Stone establishing outposts on some islands already, it's a question of days until they reach our coasts." I pursed my lips.

"I see." Dai looked at all of us.

"Anyway, follow me. Aneki hasn't made her speech yet, you guys from Konoha will be behind her as she does it. Uzu, you and I as well as the little Swordsmen there are are expected to be by her side." I nodded.

"Of course."

"Yo." Naruto and Sakura turned around, Team Ten walking toward them. The crowd was gathered in front of the Hokage Tower, waiting for the official statement. "From your faces, I guess you know what this is about?" Sakura and Naruto exchanged a quick look and nodded. "Temari left in a hurry this morning too. It's bad."

"Why?" Choji asked Shikamaru.

"The only reason an honorary shinobi leaves before the end of the exchange is in case of emergency, and I don't see Akane-san anywhere so my guess is that both her and Temari had to go back to Suna and Kiri."

The crowd went silent when Tsunade appeared, the Hokage hat on her head.

"Citizens of Konoha!" she started loudly, her voice echoing. "For months now we have been facing the threat of the terrorist organization known as the Akatsuki! Yesterday, I received news that their village, the Hidden Rain, has allied itself with Iwa! They have declared war on Suna, Kiri and us!" There were some whispers in the crowd, people old enough to remember the previous war whimpering, some crouching with their hands on their head.

Tsunade put her hands on the railing, leaning on it.

"We are strong! Ever since we became allies, Kiri, Suna and Konoha have been proving each other they were reliable and these bonds will last through time! This war will only show the rest of the Elemental Nations we can achieve peace! War preparations will start today, your clan heads and senior shinobi will guide you through this. To the generations who has not known war before, keep in mind that in spite of the pain we will meet along the way, we are not alone!" She took a deep breath, shooting the clear sky a quick look. "As of today, we are at war."

"Well, she explained the situation quite well I think," Sakura told them quietly, the horror on Ino's face making her look away.

Naruto kept a hard glint in his eyes, looking at his father's face in the rock. He never went to war, he barely even listened to any lessons he had about war in the Academy. It seemed like such an old concept, but he never really learned anything about other villages until he went to Kiri three years prior.

Now they were at war. He would be sent away to kill people, his status as a jinchuriki...what did Granny Tsunade even have for him and his fellow jinchuriki? He almost looked around, searching for a mop of gray hair so that Kakashi-sensei would explain everything to him, but he was gone.

Like his sister, like Sasuke.

Kakashi-sensei explained to him why Akane had asked for both Sasuke and him to follow her and he got it. It was just...scary to think maybe they'd die on the battlefield and he wouldn't be there.

He had not even noticed he walked away from his friends. It was only when a hand was on his head he realized it. He raised his eyes and blinked at Itachi. The older Uchiha looked at him, not needing to say anything to make him understand he felt the same.

"We can't let them win."

"Huh?"

"Akane and Sasuke. We can't let them be better than us, right?" The Uzumaki blinked again and grinned.

"You're right dattebayo!" Itachi smiled back at him.

He couldn't let the worry and dread in the pit of his stomach win either.

They were at war once more, and in spite of despising it more than anything else, he would not let any of his loved ones die on his watch.

Hey! Thanks for reading and leave a review to tell me what you thought of this chapter! Thanks to Masaya Daiji and Guestfor the review!

Bye!