Hi! See, i told you i would update in a week!

colonelZ: how many of you acctually thought I would?

(no one raises their hand)

colonel Z: sweatdrops yeah, i didn't think i would either.

(everyone sweatdrops)

Anyway! I'm back, although i was a little disapointed with the number of reviewd on the last chapter, normally i get more than that. But anyway, thanks to everybody who did review, it was nice to see that people were still interested.

Here's the new chapter, it's very wordy, but you get a good description of Fang in this chapter. No fight scenes yet, but i promise i'll have them soon.

Enjoy!! PS: this story had been around for over a year...how many of you are sick of me? (everyone raises their hand) Hey! i averaged one update a month! (everyone sweatdrops)

yes i'm dorky. i know that. just start reading the new chapter already. Dis: me no own

Sakura sat nervously in the small waiting room. She unconsciously fiddled with the fabric at the bottom of her new shirt as she tried to make out the words being shouted by muffled voices behind a pair of enormous mahogany doors.

Even the laid back Taka was sitting upright and alert in the corner, ears up and eyes sharp.

The purple haired receptionist was still completely engrossed in her novel, totally oblivious to her surroundings.

Naruto was one of the people arguing behind the massive doors. He and the village leader, Gyro, were currently engaged in a heated yelling match about just how this whole mess had happened, and what was the best battle plan to deal with it.

Sakura glanced out the window.

From the window, you had a perfect aerial view of the hidden village.

But the aerial view wasn't nearly as impressive as looking at the city head on.

The entire city had literally been built into a mountain, a pyramid shaped wedge cut out of the rock. The stone city had a triangular floor plan that could easily fit the entire village of Konoha inside, and still have room to spare.

The two cliffs that formed the town's natural walls came together at a central waterfall that cascaded down thirty-four stories, crashing into the river that flowed through the city's center. The water exited the city through a constantly monitored arch in the village's third wall (the one that separated them from the immaculate forest below) and continued down the mountain.

Every building in the city had been made from the stone of the mountain. The original architects had even gone so far as to build rooms in the cliffs themselves. Sakura was looking out of one of those rooms now, inset into the vertical mountainside, looking on as shinobi said goodbye to family and friends before rushing them into the safe-heaven of the mountain's giant caverns.

The inches of fresh snow that layered the ground were no longer a hindrance to civilians going about their daily errands. It was a home advantage, Fang shinobi were used to fighting in the snow.

Satarima shinobi were not.

It was as if the weather was trying to even the odds. Satarima had the advantage of surprise; Fang had experience fighting in the middle of a snowstorm.

Sakura watched as the wind blew the white flakes wildly across the sky. The weather had taken another turn for the worst while Naruto, Lina and Kai argued with Gyro about a battle strategy.

An inescapable tension had settled in the city, Sakura could feel it from where she sat.

Taka had given her more details on the situation while they waited on Naruto.

For the first time in centuries, and army had gotten past Fang's unbeatable defense system. Satarima, the city hidden in the rocky coastline to the northwest, had managed to get an army five thousand men strong, one thousand and six hundred feet up a mountain, without being spotted.

An invading force would be at the city's front door by nightfall.

Sakura sighed as she went back to attempting to listen in on the mysterious conversation behind the closed mahogany doors. As near as she could tell, inside were about seven people. She knew for a fact that Naruto, Lina, Kai, and Gyro were all inside, but since then three other distinct voices had been added to the verbal fray.

Taka growled under his breath. "Typical. Our enemy's at our doorstep and all those three wrinkled old farts care about is pinning the blame. Annoying, I hate village elders."

"You know, you should really talk to Shikamaru sometime. I think you two would have an interesting conversation about which word is more accurate, troublesome or annoying."

Sakura looked up to find the doors open. Naruto was leaning against their frame, no hints of amusement on his face. He sighed and stretched, walking over to join Sakura at the window. He sat down in the seat next to hers and closed his eyes as he leaned his head back against the wall.

Lina and Kai stalked out of the room. Kai wore a scowl on his face that rivaled that of his sister's, who looked as if she were seconds away from lighting an entire shopping mall on fire, merchandise and all.

Three elders followed the siblings out and they quickly retreated down the hall and through another set of mahogany doors.

"Idiots. I have a city to protect, I'll figure out whose fault this mess is in the morning. Stupid fools."

Sakura looked up to see a very pissed looking older man standing in the doorway of his office. He wore blue and white kage robes, minus the hat. He had graying brown hair that was cut short but showed no signs of balding. His face was aged, but had the look of strength and experience. His brown eyes were glaring after the long gone elders as if they were still in the room.

Sakura's eyes widened. Lina and Kai snorted in agreement before looking back at the man.

He exhaled sharply. "Enough of that. Kai, your focus should be getting the civilians into the cliffs. I want every non-shinobi in the Caves by nightfall. Lina, gather the shinobi and start organizing them, Naruto will join you shortly."

The siblings nodded and walked out quickly.

The man turned towards Sakura, observing her casually. "So this is the Sakura I've heard so much about."

Naruto yawned and sat up straighter. "Yeah. Sakura, this is Gyro."

The cherry blossom stood and bowed politely. "Nice to meet you, sir."

Gyro smiled at her as she straightened. "Hello, I've heard a lot about you."

The smile faded. "But social formalities will have to wait. Now we come to the situation of how to accommodate you during this fight."

Sakura nodded, she'd been wondering what would happen to her.

"You have two options. Neither of which involve fighting, though Naruto tells me you could do more than hold you own in a fight. But, if I am going to allow you to return to your home, I don't want you to have an intricate knowledge of our strategies. No offense meant of course, it just we can't be too careful. Satarima is proof enough of this."

Naruto rolled his eyes.

Gyro scowled at him. "I would be happy to let you stay in the Caves with the villagers, and that, I think, would be the safest option for you." He glanced at Naruto who looked casually away and out the window. "But I have heard from both my daughter and Naruto that you are a medic ninja, is this correct?"

Sakura nodded.

"Well, then it would be a great help if you could assist us with our injured as the battle goes on. I would not at all expect you to agree to help us, and your decision is entirely up to you, but it would be a great help." He looked at her hopefully.

Sakura glanced at Naruto, who looked back at her, silently telling her to do as she wished, before turning back to the window.

Sakura grinned. "I would be happy to help in anyway I can, just tell me where to go."

Gyro grinned. "Thank you, your help is truly appreciated. Naruto will show you where to go."

He nodded at her one last time before disappearing back into his office.

AN: Well, that's it for chapter 13 (the unlucky chapter, ooo, in october too, scary)

Anyway, if you dont' mind, i'd like you to do something very important for me...

click the little purple button and write soemthing in the screen that comes up pertaining to my story...even if it's a flame...just be prepared to recieve a colorful reply.

Anyway, look for a new chapter here in the next couple weeks! (and i apologize if i seem a little hyper today, it's raining outside for the first time in ages and it makes me happy)

colonel Z