A Crisis After Another: War and peace

OV: Sasuke and his team have gone off to war, how will the home front fare?

AN: I hope you are all excited as I am about the upcoming events, the babies will be growing, Sasuke will be gone, Konoha will go on.

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Naruto sat at his desk, he had been trying desperately to concentrate on his paperwork but he just couldn't seem to keep his mind on what he was doing. Shikamaru would pop in every now and then with some trivial thing that he claimed needed Naruto's attention. He wasn't fooling the blonde; Naruto knew he was just checking up on his friend.

Another knock on the door caused Naruto to look up with anticipation. He called out cheerfully for Shikamaru to come in, welcoming the break. He was thoroughly surprised when instead of his pony tailed assistant Jiraya stood there. He had a playful look on his face, but there was seriousness in his eyes.

"Naruto, how are you today?" he greeted cordially.

"Cut the crap old man, what do you want?" Naruto replied, he didn't like the aura he was giving off. It just didn't feel like something he wanted to deal with at that time.

Jiraya grinned, "To the point, I like that," he offered. "I have news for you. There is more to that war than meets the eye. The remaining members of Akatsuki have joined together and they are fighting with Kabuto. They lacked the purpose to do anything on their own without leadership. Kabuto, being overshadowed by Orochimaru, has some knowledge of the organization. He has Oro's old ring, and a plan. They also still have the trapped Bijuu," he paused to let all this sink in.

"Naruto I think they will come after you again. I am concerned that sending Sasuke and Kakashi away might have been a bad idea," Jiraya finished finally getting to what was really bothering him.

Naruto flashed that enigmatic grin of his and replied, "So are you trying to convince me I should be concerned?"

Jiraya laughed, "I expected that from you. You aren't afraid and I wouldn't expect you to be."

The white haired man grew somber, "Naruto I have to leave. I have information regarding some of the members of Akatsuki. There are still Zetsu, A red headed man and a blue haired woman left to contend with. If my sources are correct I have an interest in the man and woman pair. It also appears Zetsu has teamed with Kabuto, in keeping with the pairing tendencies of Akatsuki.

I leave tomorrow morning."

Jiraya waited for some reaction, any reaction, from the golden haired Hokage. Naruto sat there for a minute, before he resumed his typical grin. "I shall miss you, I will also expect highly detailed reports. You shall be my eyes and ears as you were for Tsunade."

Naruto looked the bushy haired man in the eyes, "How is she taking your leaving?"

Jiraya threw his head back and laughed, "Well, she's not too happy with my decision, but she understands my need to go. She has been informed of the information I have gathered, and knows the circumstances better than most. She was there when I first met the boy and girl who are rumored to be the pair I seek. She also knows that this is something I must do on my own."

Jiraya's typically mirthful eyes grew dark, "She also understands I may not come back from this mission," he admitted offhandedly.

Naruto's face showed no emotion, his voice remained steady, "I will expect reports often, and when I hear no report for a week or more I will send a team to search for you. I will expect Tsunade will be the first to apply to be on that team, however I cannot say if she will be allowed to go or not. The current state of Konoha is my priority."

Jiraya beamed with pride for the man who sat so calmly in his chair. Naruto you have truly grown up. Could that prophecy have applied to you and not…Jiraya suddenly looked at Naruto with a different perspective. Could the prophecy have applied to Naruto? The Toad Sage had said a student of Jiraya's would cause change to the world. Destruction or peace. Naruto brought peace and changed people wherever he went.

Jiraya bowed and took his leave. Once he was gone, Naruto's façade crumbled. He sat back in his chair and allowed a tear to fall from his eyes. Jiraya you better come back alive. If not it may not be Tsunade who goes looking for you. I may be able to hold my resolve now, but you and Iruka are my father figures. I am not ready to admit that either of you might leave me.

Naruto swiped at the trail of wetness on his cheek. He opened the drawer below the one that had those files of prospective Chuunin examinees. This one had Ninja Naruto felt needed watching closely. These files he updated as he could. Itachi's had been in here until his death at Sasuke's hand. The one of Madara had been very thin and sketchy. However there were others that had some bulk to them. Naruto pulled a stack of red folders from the pile. They were rubber banded together. He slipped the top one out of the band and set it on his desk. He sighed and flipped the cover open.

There was a picture of a red haired man with spiky hair. Beneath this picture were several others, five more in total. They all depicted red haired men, these were assumed to be Pein's aliases and disguises. Naruto had never felt completely comfortable with this assumption that they were henge's, but he couldn't put his finger on just what they might be. On the next page was a small picture of the spiky haired man standing next to a blue haired woman.

Naruto perused these pictures thoughtfully. Jiraya wasn't his only spy. He was one of the best and often would be able to glean some obscure information that others couldn't get, but there were others. Naruto had infiltrated the Village Hidden in the Mist a long time ago. He had been acting on his own for a long time before he became Hokage. This would surprise a lot of people.

This was no simple man who smiled a lot and acted goofy. He had often used that as a cover for his true intelligence. No one expected the loud, hyperactive, unpredictable Ninja to be very smart. They never put two and two together of all the times he had done things that were remarkable.

Sasuke had relented to his intelligence when they had discussed the fights Naruto and he had participated in. It had been Naruto who had thought of 'henge'ing into the Demon Shadow Shuriken that had allowed Kakashi to be freed from Zabuza's water prison. Naruto had been the one to come up with a lot of very smart battle strategies. He had saved Sasuke from Haku. It had been him who had surprised everyone at both the preliminary and finals of the Chuunin Exams. He even completed the Jutsu his father began. Often people would assume that he could be great in the heat of battle when instinct took over for reason. But there were very few who thought him to be smart.

Naruto resented it, but kept up the game of acting the idiot and prevailing when true reason was needed. He didn't need confirmation of his genius, he knew he was smart and that was enough for him.

He had learned in earliest childhood to never require another to give you a feeling of security or worth. He had been alone and depressed for far too long when Iruka took an interest in him. If the events with Mizuki had turned out differently he might not be the carefree person he seemed to be today.

Iruka had been the first to offer him a sense of worth outside of himself. With the battle between him and Gaara, Naruto had realized that he had a lot of people who were close to him. He knew all too well what could have been. He had also learned that even when it seems impossible people can change. Gaara was now a friend of his, Gaara was also a good Kazekage and Naruto was glad for the man.

He pulled his thoughts back to the folder which lay open before him. Pein and Konan, but just who were they and why did Jiraya feel so personally responsible that he had to meet them face to face?

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Sasuke was following Kakashi and Yamato with Juugo bringing up the rear. They sped through the trees leaving Konoha farther behind them with every leap. Sasuke was feeling exceptionally melancholy, and it surprised him. He hadn't realized just how closely he had come to depend on Naruto being there. He smiled softly, thinking of his dobe. He wondered what Naruto was doing right then. Probably doing paperwork, I hope he's not too depressed.

The sound of something whizzing past his head startled Sasuke out of his reverie. He looked into the trees from where the sound came, Sharingan activated. He quickly dispensed with the pair who was trying to hide there with a pair of kunai. Juugo who had noticed Sasuke's slight action, and who had become very adjusted to Sasuke's movements in battle, slowed his pace. Kakashi had already moved ahead and Yamato was making a flanking round through the outlying trees.

They assessed the situation quickly and regrouped, not talking but allowing their hand signals and motions to speak for them. Kakashi signaled that there were two more to their East. Yamato nodded and positioned himself beside the silver haired Jounin in an attack formation. Juugo pulled up next to Sasuke closing their cell into a four point attack. Kakashi didn't have his Sharingan activated yet. He knew Sasuke had this under control.

A flitting of fingers and Sasuke had three kunai threaded between them in his right hand. There was an exploding tag on the one in the middle. Kakashi had pulled out a handful of shuriken and Juugo had pulled a broadsword out from his case which was slung over one shoulder. He was so large and his arm so masculine that the sword, which would normally have been oversized and require two hands to wield, was a mere plaything in his hands. Yamato hadn't pulled out any weapons; instead he had formed a rapid succession of hand seals and was ready to perform his jutsu when needed.

Sasuke's face broke into a vile smirk. He was back in his element, the muted hues that allowed his vision to sharpen were forcing the backdrop to recede and anything that moved to be acutely visible. He saw four shapes moving in rapid succession towards them in addition to the two already on the attack. Four fingers then two signaled his team to their impending arrival.

Yamato quickly completed more seals and caused trees to begin to slowly snake around the unsuspecting new arrivals. Before they knew what was coming they were ensnared in a trap made from living trees. They beat at the wood and tried to chop through it with kunai. Since it was alive, and pulsing with residual chakra from Yamato, it would regenerate preventing the men to accomplish their escape.

The two men on advance never knew their comrades were unable to continue the plan. They moved into their positions and waited for reinforcements that would never come. Juugo sliced through the first as Kakashi simultaneously tossed a blade through the other ones neck. They both quickly bled out and fell lifeless to the forest floor below.

Sasuke took another look around and saw nothing else out of the ordinary, so they sped on. He kept a lookout for a while, but when he saw nothing else he deactivated his Sharingan. The rest of the day's journey was spent in solitude. When they camped out that night they drew watch. Sasuke took first watch, and Kakashi settled down beside him leaning casually on a nearby tree.

They didn't speak at first. Sasuke just sat there, Kakashi unintentionally copying his motions and posture. Kakashi grinned and Sasuke noticed the simple movement. "What's so funny?" he inquired.

Kakashi looked over at the younger man. "Nanda?"

Sasuke smirked; he shot the other man a look from beneath dark eyelashes and shook his head. Kakashi's one visible eye crinkled and he settled back into his thoughts. Kakashi hoped this mission wouldn't really take a year. He wanted to get back to Ayame. He thought about the time they had spent together, they had scarcely shared more than a chaste kiss on their dates. He was really glad she'd said yes to his marriage proposal. He'd been so alone for so long it was nice to have someone that would be waiting for him when he returned.

Sasuke thought about Naruto. He was imagining the blonde right now; he would be getting ready to sleep in their bed, alone. Sasuke sighed and his head drooped down onto his arms which were wrapped around his knees that were drawn up close to his body. Kakashi appraised the dark man and commented, "You two are good together. I hope Ayame and I fit together so well."

Sasuke looked at Kakashi as if he was seeing him for the first time, "what do you mean by that?"

"Just that you two complete each other. You are the essence that keeps the other going, where there is one the other is inextricably woven," he paused, "To have someone who loves you that much and is there for you. It's a rare thing. Come to think of it. You two have always been inseparable.

When you were put on the same team you were fierce rivals and yet you formed the deepest bond. You may not have known it but that carried you through everything you did. I would bet it was even in the events that led you to return to Konoha. You may have thought that you were merely following information that would lead you to Itachi, but really you were coming home, finally."

Sasuke listened to his sensei's reasoning and smiled. He had felt the same thing a few times. Kami-sama was really deceptive, but knew what was right in the end. Sasuke had returned and had feared his permanent exile. Instead he was now married to the one person he truly loved and who he did have the deepest bonds with. Even better they would soon be parents.

Sasuke grew morose at the thought that he would miss his children's births. He knew Tsunade and Naruto would handle the events without him, but for once he really wanted to be a part of something. He looked at Kakashi, "We need a plan for this situation. I want to get home soon, sooner than the six months that is listed as the short time for this mission."

Seeing the determined look in Sasuke's eyes Kakashi nodded. "I have been thinking…"

Kakashi informed Sasuke about everything he knew concerning the Akatsuki members that still remained. There were only three known, and then Orochimaru/Kabuto. They began to devise a scheme to discern the abilities of the members and plan for their defeat.

Their mission was to go to the Village Hidden in the Rock and offer aide and defense. Kakashi proposed they detour and try to locate the Akatsuki hideout and determine the nature of their strength. If possible they could be defeated thusly saving the need to prolong this conflict and draw out the war. With their leaders gone the Hidden Village of Sound was sure to fall into disarray and confusion. When that happened they would be easy to defeat.

Kakashi looked up at the sky and sighed. The men had talked through both their assigned watch shifts. Knowing they would need their strength to get through this jungle they were currently stuck in as well as cross the open plains ahead, they awoke Juugo who had drawn third watch and settled to get some sleep.

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Sakura sat in her living room in the dark. She didn't want to bother Sai who had to leave on a mission in the morning, so she just sat wrapped in the soothing arms of night. Her mind was filled with the images of Naruto and Sasuke's children. She was worried she wouldn't be able to handle the pain when it came time for the birth. Furthermore she wondered at her decision to put her body through this for someone else when she hadn't even had children of her own yet.

It wasn't as if she and Sai had been trying, but neither had they been trying to prevent it. She smiled to herself. She had decided that as soon as her body had recovered from this pregnancy she would set to starting her own family.

Sai padded in on bare feet and sat beside her. She looked into his eyes and smiled. He had come a long way from the insensitive jerk she had first met. She had thought at first that he might look a little like Sasuke, but even though their hair was dark and they had pale skin he was nothing like her teammate.

He had eventually learned appropriate responses and had found his emotions. Sakura remembered that time; they had still been team Kakashi then.

:Flashback:

Sakura, Sai, Naruto and Kakashi had drawn a mission into the heart of the Wave Country. They had the task of going to the Hidden Village of the Waterfall to retrieve a captured spy.

It wasn't a Konoha spy, but one from their now allies the Hidden Village of Mist. Sai had been a part of team seven for more than a year by then, and had begun to fit in a little. He had been released from Root until such time as he chose to return. So far he had no desire to do so, and had even come to challenge much of what Denzou had taught him.

He had spent a lot of time with Sakura and the rest of the now Chuunin teams. When they had time they would help him work on how to hold civil conversation, and try to help him understand emotions. He had disclosed the nature of his anemotional state by giving them just the basics of Root and how they were supposed to be able to carry out any mission devoid of emotional baggage.

The mission to retrieve Sasuke had broken his carefully woven shell when the team had found the special book he had drawn and had inadvertently helped him regain his memory of who the book was about and why he had wanted to finish it.

He had thought the boy in the book, the blonde, his 'brother,' was dead. During the mission to Waterfall he had found out that he had been wrong. Denzou had driven the boy out of Root because he had gotten too close to his favorite pupil, the one who was now called Sai.

The other boy had been sent on a mission with Sai and had been 'killed.' Sai had been forced to witness the bloodied body of his 'brother.' This had helped Denzou kill off what had remained of Sai's emotions and had turned him into the ultimate killing machine.

Denzou had prized his unusual Jutsu of living art and had coveted the boy deeply. When Sai had succumbed to his devious plan Denzou had rejoiced.

When the team had reclaimed the captured spy Sai had nearly fainted at the sight of him. Both men had been shocked speechless. Eventually they had discussed events that had led to their current predicament.

The blonde, who had come to be called Yoku, had been moved to the Mist Village and had grown up there. He too barely remembered their past, but it had all come rushing back to him when the two men had re-met.

Sai had cried for two days solid at the loss of his brother in the past; that was when he had shut off all his emotions. Even though he wanted nothing more than to reclaim their old friendship, he knew he couldn't take him away from his family and his current position as a successful spy. It had been by chance that he had been captured this time, and the group responsible had not even known who he really was nor his job.

This reunion had really awakened Sai's emotions and had allowed a caring -if rough around the edges- man to emerge. Sakura had been drawn to his softer side and his toughness. Their relationship had grown slowly, but eventually they had gotten together and had been married.

:end flashback:

Sakura grinned at her dark haired husband, and he looked at her with an expression of feeling like a bug under a microscope. "Nanda?" he inquired.

She didn't answer; instead she kissed him warmly on the lips then gazed into his dark eyes. "I love you," she murmured.

He looked at her seriously for a minute before responding. "I do not understand what this is about, but I too love you."

She snuggled against his chest wrapping her arms around his thin frame. He twined his arms around her and pulled her closer. "Mmm, this is nice. Whatever is going on this morning I could enjoy to happen again."

Sakura chuckled, "I was just thinking," she admitted.

She inquired softly, "Do you really want to try to start our family after we get through this?" her tone was serious, but light.

"Of course! I can only imagine what our children would be like. I would want to teach them that it is okay to show your emotions, because they are what make us who we really are," he reassured her.

Sakura gave him a squeeze then released her hold. "I should go get you some breakfast since I'm up," she offered.

"What's on the menu?" he purred.

Sakura playfully tapped him on the shoulder and slipped out from his embrace to head off toward the kitchen. She set to make quick work of some rice with ham tucked into it and eggs on top.

He ate quickly, enjoying her companionship before he had to head off on his mission. The sun would be rising all too soon and he would be rushing off. He set his bowl on the counter and kissed Sakura once more before slipping into their room to gather his supplies.

Once he was outfitted he wrapped her into one last warm embrace and kissed her passionately. "Just to keep you warm while I'm gone," he quipped, and then he was gone.

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Ino had been going through life as usual. She tried not to think about the changes to her body that pregnancy would effect. She tended the shop, spent time with Chouji and Shikamaru when he wasn't busy at the Hokage's office, and kept training.

She didn't push herself as hard as she might have normally, but she wasn't about to lose her thin frame without a fight. It felt good to punch and kick the targets and it allowed her to release her mind and simply let go of the current situation. She had begun a new phase of medical training also, and it was tiring. She was thankful for this wearying work, as it allowed her to fall into a deep sleep every night. She feared she might not be able to sleep otherwise.

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It had been a week since Sasuke's departure. He should have reached his target two days ago. Naruto stared out his window not really seeing the sun kissed day that spread out in front of his eyes.

He sat there for an hour before he was disturbed by a gentle thump behind him. "Speak," he ordered.

"Hokage-Sama, I have an urgent report. There is information that the Akatsuki is on the move… away from the war zone. Kabuto is said to be leading their four man cell away from the battle."

Naruto turned around to face the masked ANBU who stood in front of his desk. "As expected," he mused.

The ANBU showed almost no sign of noticing what Naruto admitted, save for a tiny twitch that caused his left ear to twinge minutely.

"Keep me informed of any further changes. I want to know their intended destination," he ordered adding under his breath, "As if I didn't already know."

"Hai!" and a puff of smoke announced the ANBU's departure.

Naruto rubbed his temples, he felt a killer tension headache coming on, and there was no one at home to make him feel better. He sat back in his chair and pouted.

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Well there we have another chapter. I plan to skip some through this next timeframe. I don't want to do day by day tedium! I have a lot to cover over the next four chapters. The entire war and events surrounding it, and the births of the babies!! Yay babies!

Tenn Omientelva Enta!

-Kneise