Sorry it took me so long to update! And I have to warn you, the next chapter may take me awhile. I'm good at battle scenes, but only when I'm in the right mood. So depending on my mood, the next chapter may take longer to publish. I also made Sound an ally, instead of an axis, just because, it makes more sense. Orochimaru hates the fourth obviously. Also, Gaara and Hinata have the same appearance as Shippuden. Don't forget to review!

Almost 3yrs had passed since that day. Naruto sat on top of the roof of Shoko's apartment and awaited for Misaki to return, anxious to be with his mate again. When Naruto marked Misaki, it felt incredible, so right, natural, electrifying, and amazing. When they arrived back in Misaki's world, and announced that he could now stay permanently, Shoko, Misaki's mom, her friends, and everyone that Naruto let in the apartment threw a welcome part for them, as well as a congatualations party. It was a little embarrassing, seeing how everyone was asking them questions about how their relationship got started, especially the way Shoko asked.

"Have you two become each others' firsts?" Shoko asked teasingly. Naruto remembering turning beat red, as well as Misaki at Shoko's intrusive question. But everyone approved of them, and it worked out well. A proven genius, Naruto passed high school about a month ago, and had gotten a decent job as the top security guard for the Angelic Layer stadium. It wasn't something he wanted to stay with that his whole life, but it had been a good start. He had actually done research into espionage, and other covert jobs such as that. He didn't want to be away from Misaki, but if he played his cards right, he wouldn't have to. It was hard to believe where they were now, especially considering how long it's been since they got together. Naruto had to smile when his mate mark took effect on her sixteenth birthday. Birthday had been six months ago, and the sight still took his breath away. On the morning of her sixteenth birthday, her appearance had changed drastically. She was still tinier than most most girls, but she was now much more beautiful. Her blue eyes now had a splash of ruby red in them, giving her eyes of diamonds and rubies, her hair had grown past her shoulders, and there were natural blonde sreaks in her hair, that were brighter than Naruto's, but not as bright as Ino's bleached hair. And her brown hair, that had hung proudly at the side of her face, had now become beautiful wings that framed her face beautifully (look up hair wings if you don't know). She had actually grown small brests, roughly a small B-cup, but it was still something considering the amount of bodyfat she had (which was basically none). And lastly she had grown more confident, but she also gained small fangs, that made her look neko-like. To say everyone was surprised was an understatement, and when Naruto had to explain what happened, everyone was speechless.

It had been a long, awkward hour before someone spoke again. And when they did, all they said was: "when's the wedding"? Naruto still laughed at the memory, and in truth, he hoped marriage was a possibility soon, but an obstacle had to be conquered before that. Frowning at the thought of Arashi, Naruto remembered what day was tomorrow, his birthday, and the final battle. From what he had haeard from Gaara and Hinata (who had a transformation of her own), Konoha hadn't been doing so well since he left, in fact, they even begged for him to meet with them. Naruto was extremely reluctant to consider, the village had condemned him, so why should he give any support to them? But apparently, Itachi had been cleared of all charges, and had confirmed everyting Naruto said the night he left, including Arashi. Apparently, through anguish, shock, and desperate cover-up, the village went to hell, and its ninja population diminsied siginificantly. Essentailly, they were screwed without him. Apparently, Gaara (now the Kazekage), had been begged for help by them, which if it wasn't for Hinata's instistance, he would've just crused them with sand coffin. Naruto sighed, not wanting to think about usch trivial things in a time like this. If Konoha had screwed itself that wasn't his fault. He knew he had to talk to Misaki eventually about this, but he would do it after his birthday celebration.

Naruto honestly didn't even know what a birthday was until he met Misaki, yes he knew the day he was born on, but he didn't understand the celebration behind it. Probably because he had to leave the village for a whole twenty-four hours that day. Rmembering his first birthday still made him laugh.

PAST

7-year-old Naruto sighed, as Misaki splashed around in her grandparents' onsen. Naruto had turned abruptly away from the girl, feeling extremely embarrassed for being nude in front of her, and ashamed for allowing himself in the same room as her in the nude. It had been Misaki's pleading eyes that forced him into the onsen, and Naruto couldn't resist her, even if he tried.

"Hey Naruto-chan?" Misaki poked him.

Twitching as she touched him, he turned his head slightly. "Yes?"

"When's your birthday?" Misaki asked innocently.

"Birthday?" Naruto repeated.

"Yeah, the day you were born." She smiled.

"October 11." Naruto answered.

"Awesome, we'll have a party, presents,-"

"Misaki." Naruto interrupted.

"Yeah?" She asked.

"What are we celebrating exactly?" Naruto asked hesitantly.

"…You've never had a birthday before, have you…?" Misaki asked quietly. Yet another thing Konoha had robbed Naruto.

"I've had birthdays obviously; I just didn't know they called for celebrations." Naruto answered almost defensively. He knew the girl didn't mean any harm, Misaki would never hurt him.

Turning Naruto towards herself, Naruto felt himself staring into determined blue eyes. Clasping his hands with her, she smiled. "Then we'll celebrate your birthday here from now on!"

Present

Smiling at the memories, Naruto knew Misaki had something special planned, and he couldn't wait to see what it was. Speaking of his mate, he sensed her coming. Finally, he was starting to get worried. Thanks to the mate mark, Misaki now had the strength of a normal person, and actually had athletic skills. She was no athlete, but it was better than before. Now that Misaki had the mate mark, Naruto was much more comfortable going off by herself, for Kyuubi and him would sense the girl in trouble, should she ever need them. But if they couldn't get there in time, Kyuubi's chakra would automatically flare and consume the intruder. So now, Misaki could leave without Naruto freaking out, but they were rarely without each other anyways. Jumping down from the roof, Naruto greeted her.

"Naruto-chan!" Misaki jumped into his arms, and he twirled her slightly. "Happy Birthday!" She squealed.

Frowning, Naruto patted his girlfriend playfully. "Almost Birthday."

"Mou! Naruto-chan's too critical!" Misaki pouted. But couldn't help but smile, for she wasn't the only one with changes. Naruto had grown taller, leaner (as if he wasn't before), his eyes sharpened slightly, his eyes were slightly red now, and he had grown fangs, sharper than Misaki's. Misaki's fgnas made her look cute, Naruto's made him look vicious. Naruto's wardrobe changed drastically. He hated lang-sleeves, so he tried to wear tank tops and T-shirts, as well as other clothes that Shoko found appropriate (she was in charge of both their wardrobes). "Ne, Naruto-chan!"

"Yes?" Naruto finally released her.

"Let's go inside, Shoko-san and the others are waiting." Misaki dragged her reluctant boyfriend inside, he had become much more solitary than he used to be, but that was probably because when he was around Misaki alone, he felt the best.

In Shinobi World

Gaara laid peacefully with the beautiful woman in his arms. Both nude, tired, and spent from their activities, they were almost completely satisfied. Though it was rare for this particular round; Hinata took the initiative to get Gaara to bed with her, she knew he needed it, as well as she did for herself. The Akatsuki, Rain, and Stone had made a pact together, and the situation couldn't of looked more grim. So they both took every opportunity they had now to make love, because it was getting to the point to where they didn't know when it would be their last.

"Kazekage-sama!" A shinobi burst into their room without knocking. Hinata shrieked and covered herself immediately. The young man realized his mistake, but it was too late.

"!" Gaara snarled angrily, ready to kill the man.

His wife noticed this, and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sure he didn't see anything, and besides we need all the help we can get at this point." Gaara hugged her immediately when he noticed her worry. She hugged back just as intimately. "What did Naruto-san say?"

Gaara growled in irritation. "He said he'd think about it."

"I don't understand why he's being so difficult about this. Normally Naruto would help us without being asked." Hinata sighed.

"It's Arashi." Gaara replied. "Though he wants to help us, he's worried he'll be too spent by the time he gets to Arashi. The man is able to command the Akatsuki for a reason. Even with Uchiha Itachi's help, as well as Orochimaru's reluctant help, Naruto wouldn't be in any condition to fight Arashi after that point."

"Hm…let's go see what that shinobi wanted." Hinata suggested. "Without killing him."

"Fine." Gaara grunted and reluctantly let go of his wife (they're married now). When they looked outside, the quivering shinobi was found kowtowing the door, expecting the worse. "What is it?"

The man handed Gaara a scroll. "A message from Naruto sir!" Gaara raised an eyebrow and took the scroll.

"Thank you. You can leave now." Hinata smiled. The man nodded and left without further instruction. Turning to her husband, she asked, "What does it say?"

"He's lending us Kyuubi, but he wants me to recruit the Cloud village as well. Apparently they have some kind of secret weapon." Gaara told her.

"He's fighting Arashi without Kyuubi?" Hinata asked concerned.

Gaara frowned. "He wants to take on Arashi alone, to prove to everyone he can defeat him on his own. I think he's a fool. But…"

Hinata frowned. "If you make Shukaku stay with me, I'll never speak to you again."

Turning to her, he replied, "It keeps you safest."

"Shukaku is also my reassurance that you'll come back." Hinata argued.

Gaara pulled her close. "Fine, I'll bring Shukaku with me, but you have to stay with the anbu I assign, and you will not follow me. Understood?"

"Yes." Hinata knew he wouldn't agree to anything else.

"No force could ever take me from you." Gaara leaned and down and captured her lips, and lead her towards their bedroom.

With Naruto

Naruto sat in his and Misaki's bedroom quietly, staring at the stars outside. It was possibly the last peaceful night with Misaki, and here he was wasting it, staring at stars.

'No! I can't think like that! I gave Misaki my word that I'd come back!' He thought.

"Naruto?" A soft voice brought him out of his thoughts. Turning to the little sound, he couldn't help but smile. Misaki stood shyly at the doorway, in a beautiful white nightgown. The sleeves were spaghetti straps, and it made her look like an angel. Oh yeah, Naruto was definitely coming back. Misaki boldy stepped towards him, grabbed Naruto by the collar and gave him a deep kiss. That was another thing about the mate mark Naruto loved, she became aggressive when pushed.

Naruto, of course, deepened the kiss, but when he felt Misaki try to unbutton his pants, he gently grabbed her hand. Confused Misaki broke the kiss. "I want you as much as you want me, but I also know now isn't the time or the place."

Misaki clutched Naruto's shirt. "What if it's our only chance?"

Hugging, Naruto replied, "It won't be." He guided them to the bed, and had them just lay there with each other.

"When are you leaving?" Misaki asked quietly.

"In a few hours, approximately 4am. Once I get to the Shinobi world, I'll be fighting Arashi, but you should also know that a war will be waged the same day, and that Kyuubi's staying here with you." Naruto answered.

"Like hell." Misaki replied. "There's no way, Kyuubi's staying with me, not when you need him!"

"Kyuubi's also the only way I can have reassurance that I won't come back to a dead woman!" Naruto snapped. "I don't know what this bastard's gonna try, or what he's told other people, but I need you here, where I know you're safe."

"But…" Misaki's voice was becoming weaker.

Pulling the girl to face him, Naruto spoke. "I promised you when we twelve and I have no intention of changing my word: I will come back to you! Then, I'll claim you…" Misaki's eyes widened at that statement. "Such activities should only be reserved for happy times Misaki, don't you agree?"

Smiling, with a tear rolling down her face, Misaki sighed. "Yeah. Agreed."

"When you wake up, I'll be gone. So let me kiss you goodbye now." And Naruto did just that. Misaki's mate mark glowed bright pink, indicating love and happiness, falling asleep in her ninja's arms, Naruto allowed himself the final hours of peace before the battle. The day had finally come.