(sigh) It seems to make sure that we're all safe, as if people don't already don't know this, I do not own Naruto or any characters, others than Tsuki Tanaka, Fujiwaru, and Naomi Fujiri. Okay, I wrote a Halloween side-story called, The Cat's Meow, if you haven't already noticed. I'll make a note when it will take place in the story. Alright on with the story.

The small group of Konoha shinobi that were fighting the Akatsuki members were shot back. The light that radiated from the orb was the one that threw them back. Tsuki looked shocked at the orb. Kisame and Sasori quickly hid under large dolls to avoid the falling purifying water. The others were in safety, due to the fact they were just blown back a good hundred yards. Trees were broken on the ground from bodies being thrown through them.

"Tsuki-san! Quickly, if you're done, we should use this opportunity to leave." Sasori suggested.

Tsuki stood stunned in the middle of the lake.

"Tsuki-san!" Kisame called.

Tsuki snapped out of her state. As quickly as she could, she made her way over to both men. Sasori began to make his way over to her. He turned when he heard Kisame grunt. Naruto had successfully landed a punch. Sasori moved to assist Kisame seeing the others coming quickly. Tsuki began to move towards them. Her arm was held back. She turned her head to meet familiar Mangekyou Sharingan eyes.

"Itachi-san?"

Sasuke's grip tightened on the beautiful girl. He quickly let go with a grunt of pain. Tsuki used that opportunity to make it to Sasori's side. He wrapped his cloak around her while Kisame quickly performed the transporting jutsu. Tsuki looked back at Sasuke before they disappeared.

"Kuso teme! Why'd you let that girl go?"

The others followed Naruto over to Sasuke. They were all giving him a questioning glance. Sasuke shoved his hand in their faces. The water that had been on her skin, burnt his like acid. Kakashi and Gai whistled in astonishment.

"It was worse than anything I have ever felt."

They all turned to the lake and watched the water.

Tsuki came out now dried off and back in her regular clothes. She could tell that both Sasori and Kisame were on edge. Kisame grabbed Tsuki out of the way as a huge ball came at them. Sasori's doll knocked it back and Chouji came to a stop. Kisame tossed Tsuki to the side as he fought off Asuma. They all turned heads when a piercing whistle sliced threw the air. Ino and Shikamaru then moved into fighting positions. Shikamaru performed his famous shadow technique, but Sasori had a doll block it instead. Sasori quickly broke the string before he had a chance to follow-up. He appeared behind Shikamaru and punched him in the gut. Shikamaru went down with a grunt of pain. Ino quickly charged at Tsuki who just smiled at her. The smile ticked Ino off. Tsuki sidestepped Ino's punch. Looking at it from the side, Tsuki whistled in amazement or perhaps amusement. Whatever it was, a vein popped on Ino's forehead. She threw her fist to the side but Tsuki just ducked it. Ino began to throw more punches, but Tsuki kept sidestepping them easily. A loud female scream caused the male teammates to turn heads.

"Ino!" Shikamaru cried.

Sasori prevented him from getting to her. Kisame performed a few hand seals. Lifting samehada, he swung it close to the ground, causing dirt to fly with a powerful wind that knocked Chouji and Asuma off their feet. Tsuki dug the kunai deeper into Ino's shoulder. The smile never leaving her face. Tsuki leaned in to talk in Ino's ear.

"As a medic nin, you should know what would happen if I had broken a joint. You really should be grateful."

"Yeah right." Ino scoffed. "What's a girl like you doing with the Akatsuki anyways?"

"I have my reasons."

"Yeah? Well whatever the hell your reasons are, they have nothing to do with Sakura, so give her back!"

A frown crossed Tsuki's face. "Sakura-sama? Are you close to her?"

Ino swung her leg at Tsuki. She quickly dodged it and came to stand at Sasori and Kisame's back.

"You are, aren't you?"

"That's none of your damn business!"

"Well then, I'm sorry, we can't return her."

The four looked stunned.

"We might consider giving her back however." Kisame's reply came out gruff.

"For what?" Shikamaru asked.

Kisame smirked in an evil way. "For the Kyuubi, of course."
Sasori's dolls went around the three quickly. A fierce tornado picked up. Team Asuma, and the now arrived Anbu stepped back. When it finally died down, they were gone.

"Shit." Asuma swore.

A large commotion had broken out all over the village. Akatsuki's appearance within their territory was frightening news. Throughout the whole day, several Konoha shinobi returned from various missions, finished or not. Security around the village had doubled. Search teams were more frequent and larger. The border was becoming harder to cross. Until further notice Konoha and Sand were both on lockdown. The Hokage and Kazekage currently used their fastest birds to communicate. The Kazekage had offered to give them whatever they needed, but the Hokage had kindly declined and told him to perpare himself. The Hokage was currently in her office having a meeting with a recorder, getting everything so they could send it to Sand an alert them.

"So you let them get away?" Tsunade basically accused.

"I wouldn't say let." Kakashi put in.

"Shut up! The fact is you didn't get them. The citizens' trust in us is becoming smaller every day. We'll be lucky if they don't cause a coup themselves."

"We're not here to play politics." Sasuke scoffed.

Tsunade threw the Uchiha survivor a deadly look. "I heard that you had the girl in your hands and let her go."

Sasuke glared at the oblivious acting Naruto. "I couldn't help it. The purified water burned my skin."

Tsunade snorted. "Sakura would have endured it."

Sasuke glared at the Hokage. "Don't compare me to that weakling. She got herself captured." He said with a threat under his voice.

Tsunade ignored him.

"Speaking of Sakura-san, they said that they would trade for her."

All heads in the room turned to Shikamaru. At this Tsunade had stood.

"For what?"

"The Nine-Tail Fox?"

Many eyes had widened, others looked confused. Younger Anbu captains and the rookie nine that weren't on Team Kakashi were the ones confused.

"I thought the Fourth destroyed the Nine-Tail Fox." Shikamaru continued.

Tsunade watched as Naruto clenched his fist in anger. Tsunade sat back down in her chair with a sigh.

"I'll do it!" Naruto screamed.

"Huh?" Everyone turned confused at Naruto.

He however had his determined eyes on Tsunade. She currently had her head on her hands in a thinking pose.

"Naruto-kun! What are you talking about?" Hinata questioned.

Naruto's expression became sad as he turned his attention to her.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you before, I was meaning to. Please don't get me wrong." Naruto hung his head in shame. "I'm the container for the Nine-Tail Fox."

They gasped in horror or astonishment. Whatever it was, they now knew Naruto's and Konoha's secret. The Hokage had not killed the Nine-Tail Fox, but placed the demon inside of an innocent child. A baby boy that had been born on that very day. Tsunade watched the scene in front of her indifferently.

"You do realize you'll die if you go through with this?"

"Yes."

Naruto's determination was back.

"No!"

All heads turned to the shy Hyuuga heiress who was covering her mouth in horror. Tears were threatening to fall from her eyes. Pulling her hands down slowly, her voice came out slow and shaky.

"N-n-no. As m-m-much as I w-want Sakura-san back, I don't want to loose Naruto-kun too." Her tears fell and Naruto moved towards her. "I don't want that!"

"Hinata-chan..."

Tsunade looked at the couple with a sadness in her eyes. A few seconds later went by with Naruto trying to calm Hinata's sobbing. Tenten and Lee had to hold Neji back from killing Naruto himself, and Tsunade went back to her emotionless expression.

"No."

They all turned with questioning looks to the Hokage. Naruto's eventually turned into one of anger. He slammed his palms on top of her desk.

"Why the hell not?"

Many glared at Naruto for his disrespect.

"With all due respect Hokage-sama, why not let the demon boy go? We could at least get Sakura-sama back."

A few others agreed with the young Anbu captain. The rookie Nine glared daggers. Tsunade saw Naruto's face fall. She was the one this time to bang down on the desk startling everyone. Naruto had been pulled out of his stupor and fell backwards. Hinata kneeled beside him to make sure he was okay.

"Dobe."

"Teme!"

"Enough! And you over there. I like to hear you repeat that."

"I was just suggesting." The poor Anbu captain began to quake in his boots. "Sakura-sama could obviously..."

"Sakura could not handle a demon in it's full power."

Tsunade calmly sat back down.

"Instead of hating Naruto, perhaps you should be thanking him. The Fourth never wanted him to be treated as a freak, but as a hero. If Naruto hadn't been born that day, Konoha would not be here." Tsunade crossed her fingers. "None of you would have met. Some of you wouldn't have been married, and a lot of our children would not have been born. So instead of persecuting him, think about a sacrifice you made for this village that is just as great as his."

Silence filled the room. Naruto looked at Tsunade in wonder. Suddenly, he shot up, startling Hinata. Naruto pointed an accusing finger at her.

"Who the hell are you? You're not the obaa-chan."

A vein popped and with an angry cry, she threw everyone out of her office. Closing her door with a large bang, heard throughout the whole village, she turned to the two people she left in. Shizune and Kakashi were up against the wall trying their best to avoid angrying her more. Tsunade stood to look out the large office window.

"That was nice of you to stand up for Naruto-kun."

"What do you expect Shizune? After all, I promised her, I would not allow anyone to speak badly of him."

"And the real reason?" Kakashi questioned.

Tsunade didn't answer.

Tsuki carefully wrapped the orb in a expensive silk. She slowly and gently placed it in the sacred wooden box. Then she wrapped a couple beads around it just for safe measures. Kisame and Sasori watched her as she placed it in a larger cloth so she could tie it for traveling.

"Will this be enough to quench that God's anger?" Kisame asked.

"I don't know." Tsuki shrugged her shoulders. "I guess we'll have to ask Sakura-sama, when we return of course."

"I still want to know how that girl got so much knowledge, on it seems everything." Sasori put in.

Both males turned to look at the ever smiling Tsuki. Patting her lap, she stood.

"Well shall we get back now?"

Three long tiring days had gone by since the meeting. Naruto was currently banging his head on the table, waiting for his ramen. Hinata kept pleading for him to stop. Sasuke was leaning on the wall trying not to explode at the idiot. Kakashi was reading his perverted book with a few giggles and blushes every couple minutes. Finally, Naruto shot his head up and leaned back.

"Damn it! What is wrong with that old woman?" He screamed as his ramen was placed in front of him. "Why won't she let me do this?" Naruto grabbed his bowl angry and started immediately shoving it in his mouth.

Hinata's expression turned into one of sorrow. Sasuke tsked in annoyance. Kakashi looked over the rim of his book at them. Naruto finally Hinata's expression. Kakashi got up and went to Tsunade's office as Naruto tried to comfort Hinata.

Kakashi arrived and knocked. She immediately called him in. Seeing who it was, Tsunade put her pen down and gave him her full attention.

"Is something bothering you?"

"Perhaps if we told them about the locating technique Sakura knows?"

"And risk a riot?"

"You don't know that they'll react that way."

"Kakashi." Tsunade sighed. "Not even we know why Sakura hasn't used it yet. Whether she's using this chance to gather information or she's..."

Kakashi's eye narrowed. "Fucking that Uchiha?"

"Kakashi, we're not even certain."

"I am."

Tsunade stood up quickly. "How?"

"Those two brothers already share a strong bond, one of hatred. They both have obtained the Mangekyou Sharingan, which I'm sure Itachi-san is aware of."

"You possess the Mangekyou Sharingan."

"Yes, but I don't have what they do."

"And that would be?"

"Uchiha blood."

Tsunade's eyes widened in surprise. At that chosen moment, Naruto rushed into the office. Hinata and Sasuke right behind him. They could sense the heavy atmosphere. The three looked between the two. Kakashi had already gone back to his carefree expression. Tsunade sighed and sat back down.

"What?"

"Oh yeah! Obaa-chan let me go!"

Tsunade hit him twice with two empty sake bottles.

"What was that for?"

"You know very well what that was for. Oh, and I heard that comment earlier." Tsunade cracked her knuckles and Naruto gulped in fear.

"Not now, why can't I go?"

Tsunade sighed again.

"You don't know for certain that I'll die."

"Yes we do. Naruto, your soul combined itself with the Kyuubi. If Akatsuki or anyone were to take it, your soul would go too. Thus your body, or container, would no longer be needed, and it would die."

Naruto looked slightly defeated. He opened his mouth to speak but stopped upon seeing Tsunade's raised hand.

"Naruto before you even start, you have to understand. When you left with Jiriya, a law was passed. Konoha and Sand will not negotiate the enemy, no matter what."

"Well who was the idiot who wrote that?"

"Sakura helped Gaara-sama and myself write it."

Tsunade stood and let them out of her office. Before closing her office door, she told them something that shocked them.

"We cannot put anymore sins on her."

Tsuki, Kisame, and Sasori walked into the compound. They found Itachi outside his bedroom door. He was currently talking with Shiro while prying off an overly annoying Naomi. They stopped upon seeing the three finally arrived home. Tsuki revealed the now purified orb. They nodded their heads in understanding.

"Where's Sakura-sama?"

A heavy stmosphere settled in. They looked questioningly at them. Itachi stepped away from the door and Tsuki entered the room. On the bed was a sleeping Sakura.

"Why is she sleeping now?"

"Itachi answered her. "Sakura had been in a coma."

REVIEW TIME! Just to let you all know the story is underlined, so just look for you name under it.
Manga: You're so lazy.
Leave me alone.
Anime: What happened to Hachi?
She's busy with moving into her new doggy house.
Anime & Manga: Ah!
Also, did you guys check out my new side-story: The Cat's Meow? My Halloween side-story. I mentioned it at the top. Anyways, you don't have too, just a fun sidestory. Alright on with the reviews!
A Dream Of Days Long Since Passed:

cherrychild5: No, sorry there will be no sequel as stated before. (sigh) Does no one pay attention to me?
Manga: Why should they?
Anime: You're annoying.
... I hate the both of you.
Anime & Manga: We know!
Tch. Stupid muses. Thanks for the review.

Siy: I know. is acting up. My reviews didn't start pouring in until two days later. Weird. How did you not notice the sidestory. I mentioned it in eight?
Anime: They skip over you. They don't like you.
...fine...
Manga: Anime, stop being mean.
Anime: (pouts)
Manga:(sighs) Why me? Thanks for the review.

Anime Angel Goddess: Well I'm starting to already like you!
Manga: You would.
Anime: Yeah, you would.
Sheesh, don't you two ever shut up? Thanks for the review.

SaRaH13WV: Yeah, I did rush this side story a bit, but oh well. Glad you liked it and thanks for the review.

oODreamerOo: Thanks for the review.

Blood of the Cherry Blossom:

(...?!): Nice penname. Thanks for the review.
Manga: You're rude.
No more than you.
Anime: Lay off of Manga.
Make me baka.
Anime: (attempts to attack Authoress)
Manga: Good grief

kattylin: Well I updated. Sorry for the wait.
Anime: You sure do make them wait.
Well, maybe if you did you're job, we would be getting somewhere.
Manga: Not likely.
Why?
Anime: You're lazy.
Gr... (takes rope and ties them up) Ha! So much better. Thanks for the review.

aznmelon: Haha! Do you really think so?
Manga: Cooler than you?
What is your problem?
Anime: You are!
You know what? ...nevermind.
Anime: Wuss.
Shut up. Thanks for the review.

jenfrog: Haha! Sorry. I like ending the story of cliffhangers or just moments leaving you, huh?
Manga: There's a thing for that you know?
What's that?
Anime: Baka.
I am not! ...
Anime & Manga: Thanks for the review!

BRD: ...In full honesty, ... I have no idea how you expect me to respond to this. So I'm not even going to attempt to. Thanks for your advice, and I know it's a bit off, but it's how I wanted it to go. I admitted it happened fast in the beginning but I think it turned out for the better. So please continue to read if you're up to it...

MistressBlossom: I did it as fast as possible.
Manga: That side story got in the way. Stop writing them.
(whines) Why? They're fun!
Anime: Ew.
Your face is ew.
Anime: (attacks Authoress)
Manga: (sigh) Thanks for the review.

Bloodrain15: Thanks to you guys. It would suck otherwise.
Manga: Would it really?
I've said this before, The Retirement, is probably the one I'm most proud of. Then probably comes this.
Anime: You're weird.
Shut up. Thanks for the review.

SweetAssassin: Um... What do you want her to do?
Anime: Go back to Konoha! Away from my Itachi!
(sweatdrops)
Manga: Get a new life away from it all.
But then there would be no story... (sigh) Thanks for the review.

listen4free2007: If you didn't get it yet, don't worry. It could be due to the fact that... I haven't explained it all yet! Haha!
Anime: You're mean.
Do you want me to give everything away from the beginning?
Anime: Yes.
(sweatdrop) No.
Anime: Manga! (cries)
Manga: There. (pats) There. (pets)
Weirdos. Thanks for the review. Sorry for all the waiting.

Shinobi Darkbeak: I get that. Too tired. Me too. I haven't been sleeping. And long review replies take alot out of me.
Manga: Why? Because you and Anime are draining physically and mentally. (groans) Like Hachi.
Anime: Hey!
Ignoring you now. Thanks for the review.

xXnarutofan-22Xx: What is with you people and cliffhangers?
Manga: They don't like waiting two months just to find out what happens next you know.
(grumbles)
Anime: You're so selfish.
Leave me alone. Thanks for the review.

sasukegrl: Thanks. That means a lot to me.
Anime: They wasted time in their life reading this.
Did I ask for you opinion? (attacks Anime)
Anime: Ah! Manga! (flails) Manga! Help me!
Manga: (sighs) Why me? (pulls Anime behind and holds Authoress a distance) Stop.
...fine. Thanks for the review!

The Norwegian Dragon: What's a kinderegg? And don't worry about it. Fanfiction has been acting up for a lot of people. Believe me. Thanks for the review though.

SachiruNatsu: Do I keep mispelling her name? Sorry, it's Tsuki for moon. And don't worry about the confusion. Everyone is and probably actually should be. Thanks for the review though.

sakurablossom777: Me too. Haha! At the point I answered this, I actually hadn't started the next chapter yet. Whoops. Haha! Thanks for the review.

brittness18: Thank you. You're the only person so far to say that to me. So truly thank you. And thank you so much for the review too.

Ur2tRoUbLeSoMe90: Well do forgive me, I don't remember the last reviews.
Anime: You don't remember anything. (grumbles)
Manga: Why do you two always fight?
Anime: (squeezes Manga) So you can stop us! (mumbles)
Manga: (stares at Authoress) Shouldn't you at least finish the review before going off into space?
...fine. Thanks for the review. And any advice how to handle these two would be much appreciated.

Sakura0890: I'm sorry to hear that. And sorry to make you wait for the update. First of all, I didn't really like this being so long since it could have been like two chapters but I said it needed to be this way to get to that point. I make no sense. Sorry about the grammar. I was kind of rushing it. (bangs head) I know, but I felt bad for not updating in a while so yeah... Thanks for pointing the errors out. And about all your questions, hehe, you'll have to wait sorry. And the review response takes up too much time and space but oh well! Thanks for reviewing to this edgeofyourseaticantwaitforthenextchapter.

read-n-review: It's ok. You don't need to go all mental on me. I have too many people doing that already. Like four.
Anime: (pulls out katana) Does this mean I can decide their punishment?
Manga: (sweatdrops) That's not up to me.
No! Anime, what are you thinking? Put that away! It's not that bad that they forgot to review last time sheesh.
Anime: Tch. (resheathes katana) That's no fun.
Manga:...
...Baka. How come when they review you tell them not to but when they don't you still want to kill them? Make up your minds!
Anime: (runs around crazy) We don't have to!
...Bakas. Anyways, thanks for the reviews.

sasukegirll: OMG! I? That's it? Okay, whatever floats your boat.
Manga: Are you complaining?
No, I just wanted to know what they wanted to say.
Anime: Complainer!
I am not! Leave me alone! Anyways, thanks for the review.

Missing'Nin'Akiko: Haha! You guys seem to really hate my cliffhangers! You'll get over it though.
Anime: Stop putting cliffhangers in then.
(sigh) No. I don't want to. Especially if they play it's part.
Manga: You're so picky.
No, I'm not. I'm just being me. Thanks for the review though.

VixenOfDeath809: Um... I'm not going to hit you. When didn't you review? You're reviewing now. So I guess that's all that matters.
Anime: Are you tired?
Yeah why?
Manga: You're out of it.
...really? I guess...
Anime: Freak.
...whatever. Thanks for the review.
Anime: See!
...(sigh)

BrokenHeartsBeatOn: I guess, but my response to the story is getting smaller. So I might actually stop it if it gets too low. I'm so spoiled.
Anime: You can be such an ass.
I know. Thanks for the review though. Don't worry, for now I plan to continue.

NuttyNatalie: I'm working as fast as possible. Thanks for the review.

krista (Yes I Still Remember You): I'm sorry about the grammar errors but unfornately, right now I don't have a spell check with this new document program. Sucks I know.
Manga: Unknown to many of you, she does check her spelling.
You're actually protecting me?
Manga: Tch. Someone has to eventually.
(cries)
Anime: Baka.
Manga: (nods head)
Thanks for the review though.

Grumpy Alchemist: Haha! If you say so...
Manga: (in bathroom throwing up)
What's Manga's problem?
Anime: Manga got sick.
From?
Anime: They said they like your story.
...Nevermind. Thanks for the review.

Taydr-I LOVE ED- I LOVE FMA: OMFG! Thanks for the review. Haha!
Manga: You're all weird.
Anime: (nods head in agreement)
You're just jealous.
Anime & Manga: Are not!

Wolf-Lover-4-Ever: I will. Well at least I'm hoping too. Thanks for the review.

UchihaLovesMe: Ah yeah, my friend was complaining about that. It's probably because of the Author's note I had up earlier and then took down. Oh well. Thanks for your concern by the way, but we're all doing fine. I'm glad you're enjoying the story and thanks alot for reviewing. It means alot to me. I don't think alot of people enjoyed that chapter 9 was so freaking long, because it was long enough to be two chapters. But from the point that I started to where I wanted to end it, it just took more time than I thought. (Scratches head) Oops. And anything about the Gods, I made up. Except their names of course. And don't worry, you're not rushing me at all. And yeah, that was a long review, not that I mind, but this is a really long reply, ne?

Cherry Blossom Christmas:

Soelle: Thanks for the review.


The Cat's Meow:

Famine of Seducers: You have no idea how happy I am to have you review. I was all like, yeah this isn't going over very well, and then you reviewed. I was happy. Thanks so much for the review.
Manga: You're a freak.
Anime: I couldn't agree more.
I am not a freak! Leave me alone you evil, evil muses. Someone please explain to me why I made these two in the first place!
Anime & Manga: To torture you!
AH! Why me?

tril17: ...good question. How did Sakura get back at Deidara and Tsuki?
Anime & Manga: You don't know!?
Nope, sorry. Is that bad?
Anime: Baka...
Manga: (sweatdrops)
Anime: You're an idiot author!
...(grumbles) Leave me alone. Just be grateful I write anything at all, otherwise you two wouldn't be here. Because I wouldn't need you. Not like your much help now.
Manga: (holds back Anime)
Thanks for the review. I enjoyed a snubbing kitty Sakura.

Siy: Thanks for the review. I appreciate it alot.

Lenore 2410: Everyone seems to find this cute, even though it's a like a random lemon/lime.
Anime: Pervert.
Shut up! You try writing this.
Anime: Maybe I will.
(scoffs) Whatever. Thanks for the review.

XUchihaSakuraX: WHEN AREN'T YOU BORED YOU GIANT FREAK!
Anime: What's your problem?
Nothing. We're cool. Thanks for review though. I really appreciate it!

Jinni-rui: Haha! Then you had one long journey. Welcome back!
Anime & Manga: Welcome back!
Thanks for the review.

Okay, that's it if this update.
Anime & Manga: See you next time.