Tsunade steeped her fingers in concentration.
What to do, what to do... what-to-do...
So while she waited, she did what she could. She sat back in her chair with a cup of sake, and faced the window.
They'll be fine... they'll be just fine. Backup squads are on their way... the best we have. Allies from the sand are going to them too. Everything will be fine... they're young, but completely capable, they've defeated Akatsuki members before, the "undefeatable two" at that...
So why do I feel sick to my stomach like this?
She knew, deep in her heart, she knew that at least one of Konoha's team would be lost today.
"Okay! Remember people! We stand united as one team! Always fight with at least one comrade by your side!" Kushina Uzumaki cheered as the ninjas all ran to the roof. Naruto and Sakura had joined the others again not long ago. Minato had decided to save their information until after the battle, because "none of us will die today.", the other ninja had agreed to this and continued to prepare their safe house.
Sai knew that Sakura was still struggling to trust Naruto's parents, so he'd been monitoring all interaction between them carefully; he knew the girl was intelligent, but she was a woman, and women were known to let their emotions affect important decisions.
Like Naruto... he really is dickless. Sai mused, he contemplated voicing these musings but decided against it, he'd only end up with both females and Naruto turned on him, causing a divide in the group. But it's so tempting... Sai chewed his lip, since he'd been uncovering emotions, he found teasing banter most to his liking; it got the adrenaline pumping.
The seven Shinobi stood shoulder to shoulder on the roof, looking in the direction of the oncoming group. All the members were arriving together... Minato grinned at Kushina.
"It's been a little while since our last real fight Kushina-chan!" He put his hands together to summon his chakra and looked over to his son, who was smiling solemnly, like Kushina.
They really are so alike... Both hyperactive in most circumstances but as soon as someone precious to them is in danger... They become serious. Sakura, too, is concentrating hard.
"Hey Kakashi-kun. I'd love to see what techniques you've picked up in the last sixteen years..." Minato murmured, causing Kakashi to smile, closing his eyes in simple happiness.
"Oh yes, I can't wait to see your own Minato-sensei." He looked over at the ex-Hokage of Konoha. "You know that Naruto here has completed the Rasengan?"
Well I'd expect nothing less!" Yondaime smiled, deciding not to tell them that he already knew... people got touchy about that sort of thing... you know, spying, without them knowing, on their personal lives.
So sensitive...
"Remember! We are two hours after the emergency call! Be prepared to see Team Kakashi in bad shape! Ino!" Shikamaru called back to his teammates. The blonde ninja behind him set her teeth.
Damn you Sakura... I swear your whole team is nothing but trouble! If I end up being the only medic-nin in this fight, I swear I'll kill you and that baka Naruto! She clenched her fists in annoyance.
The young man to Ino's side opened his eyes and pointed, "That way. But it looks like they're just starting to fight now."
"That can only be a good thing, are the other units nearby?" Shikamaru asked, causing Neji to nod curtly.
"Units 1, 2, 4 and 7 are approaching now. But we'll still be the first to arrive... as planned." The boy behind them sniggered.
"No problem." Chouji grinned. "We still on the original plan?"
"Of course." Shikamaru glanced back at his friend. "You ready?"
"Hai!" called the others in unison.
Shikamaru hung back, allowing Chouji to take the leading place. "Unit 3. Move out."
I don't get it... Ino thought, unable to take her mind off recent events in Konoha... she was the queen of gossip and nothing went on in the village hidden in the leaves that she did not know about. But it had seemed that everyone else knew about Naruto and Sakura before her. You knew what he was before any of us... when did you begin to love him?
When Ino had come back from a mission to find Chouji grinning stupidly and chatting to Shikamaru about how it was "about time too, the kid deserves a bit of good luck!" She had asked and found out that the two remaining members of team 7 had gotten... well, close. Personally, Ino found the whole thing very disturbing. I mean come on, he's just the annoying kid we knew in the academy, and he's the container for the nine tailed fox. Don't you care?
"Unit 3 in position." She whispered into her earpiece, awaiting the army's leader's response.
"Understood... Team Kakashi's status?" The rough male voice came quickly.
"No noticeable injuries, it looks like they haven't started the battle yet and... hang on a moment." Ino narrowed her blue eyes as she looked at the team standing o the rooftop. "It looks like they have some allies. Two ninjas are standing with them."
"Hmm... two? Description please."
"One is male. Tall. Blond shaggy hair. Long white and red coat with flames and writing on it... The other is female. Mid-height. Red mid-length hair... Akatsuki style Kimono."
"..."
"Jirayia-Sama?"
"I'm here. Shikamaru, don't advance just yet, unit 1 is almost there, wait for us."
"You sure?" Shikamaru glanced at Ino doubtfully. "Can I have some more information?"
Jirayia sighed. "Put me on a private wavelength... this could be important." Shikamaru obediently switched his earpiece to a private signal, Ino furrowed her brow in annoyance, this was a battle that could cost several lives... these guys had already beat Asuma-sensei and taken away the father-to-be's life. She watched as Shikamaru registered the information he received and flicked at a cigarette butt. He kept his face expressionless.
Chouji and Neji waited patiently for the next order. There were 7 units that Ino knew of but there were undoubtedly more than that coming.
Unit 1 consisted of Jirayia leading Hinata, Kiba and Shino. Unit 2 was led by Gai consisting of Lee and Tenten. Unit 3, Led by Shikamaru with Chouji, Ino and Neji. Unit 4 was Sakura's parents led by a member of the ANBU. Unit 5 was led by Shizune and consisted of only medical ninjas, they were to arrive later to heal the wounded. Ino and Sakura were considered capable for early response. Unit 6 was purely ANBU members, Ino didn't recognize any of their names... but then again, they were ANBU. Finally, Unit 7. This was made up of the two Chuunin that Sakura had taken the exam with. Natsuki Daisuke and Matsueda Tohru, two boys who both used earth attacks. They were accompanied by the Sand ambassador Temari.
Shikamaru turned his earpiece back to the main channel and frowned. "Change of plan. We wait for Jirayia-Sama's unit to get here. Then we move as one."
Gaara entered the Leaf village's head office and walked over to the Hokage. He'd been contemplating this move for a good hour and needed to discuss it with his ally.
"Tsunade." He addressed her informally, as last time he'd tried to call her "Hokage-Sama" she'd tried to hit him. The blond woman turned from the window and looked at him seriously.
"Gaara. Are you contemplating the same move as me?" The Kazekage smiled.
"I think I am."
"Then we're agreed. This is too important to simply send out the troops. We need to do what Kage's always do when their village is in grave danger."
"I think it's time."
"Yes." Tsunade stood up, sighing. "I think it is."
"Team Hebi. Go." That's all he said. It was all that he had to. The four of them moved with seamless synchronicity. Separating Itachi from the rest of Akatsuki so quickly that even the Mangekyou Sharingan couldn't catch the moment that it happened.
"Not this again little brother... You already killed me once."
Sasuke's face was impassive as he looked at his brother.
"Apparently once wasn't enough."
Yondaime smiled.
"Now kids, you get to see why I was called Konoha's yellow flash before I became Hokage."
"This way." Hinata panted. "They've just begun to fight now."
Jirayia nodded. "Who are their allies?"
Kiba growled. "You really think that they're his parents?" He clenched his fist and Akamaru yapped angrily. They knew what that would mean. The parents who gave up their son to be a Jinchuuriki.
Hinata concentrated on the images before her. "Oh!"
"What?!" Kiba practically yelled.
"I recognise one of them!" Hinata's eyes widened as she registered the man's features, she flicked through her memories to try and place his countenance. "It's... oh! I think it looks like Yondaime Hokage-Sama." She bit her lip. "But that's impossible..."
Shino remained quiet throughout the exchange and sent out his bugs to investigate.
Naruto noticed a small swarm coming in their direction and grinned. "Backup just arrived."
He was instantly joined by Shikamaru, Ino and Neji. Then loud yell was heard and a giant red boulder came hurtling down into the mass of Akatsuki.
As Chouji's human boulder crashed into the small, quite surprised group of Akatsuki, The group on the roof were joined by three more of Konoha's army.
"Ero-Sennin?!" Naruto grinned; the boy's father raised an eyebrow in slight amusement.
"Ero-Sennin? That's more original than mine which was just Ero-sensei. How are you Jirayia-sensei?" The hermit Sannin frowned darkly.
"We'll talk later Minato, for now, let's just kill these guys." He glanced sidelong at the redheaded woman who wasn't too far away. "Kushina."
"Jirayia." She acknowledged; frowning at the memory of that time he'd peeked on her in the bath. Great, the perv's here now? And by the looks of it he's in charge.
The fight began.
Sakura felt the technique take hold.
Damn these guys aren't messing around.
Well duh (!)
How are the others doing? You can afford to stop concentrating. I can't.
Hold on...
Holding up fine! Idiot, you're the only one not paired up with anyone!
Not for long!
A blonde woman landed next to her.
"Hey Temari, come to help out an ally?" The older girl smirked.
"Well yeah, the lazy sexist preferred Kankuro's help to mine. Ah well, with you, I won't die at least."
"Gee, thanks, I feel really wanted."
"Damn straight. Let's get this creepy bastard." And the two kunoichi began their attack on the Akatsuki member before them. Kisame.
Naruto glanced over to the faint blob of pink at the other side of the battle. Good. She had help now. He brought up a regular rasengan ball and used it on the nearest Akatsuki.
Well this is going quite well, now that everyone's here, Akatsuki are so outnumbered by our allied forces that we're gonna win soon! His eyes widened. We're gonna win!
"RASENGAN!" The man who looked like an oversized plant lost consciousness and a cry of "GATSUGA!" from Kiba soon saw the end of creepy plant man...
"They seem weaker than I remember..." Kiba growled. A yellow haired man appeared behind them.
"This is their true strength... Without me and Kushina, they're completely different."
Well that was fortunate! "Right... Hey, Kiba! Where're you going?" The tall brown-haired boy turned to grin at him, riding astride his large wolf-dog Akamaru.
"Hinata's fighting alone and it's not like you're without a teammate now!" Naruto grinned.
"Thanks Kiba!" He grinned too. "I'll tell you all about it later!"
Father and son turned their attention on a guy wearing an orange mask.
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