yeah it has indeed been awhile since i last put up a chapter. I've been spending some time preparing a roughness of the next few chapters and how they will pan out so expect some significant or semi-significant stuff to happen...I even decided to bump the rating up to an M just in case or whatever...eh well anyways enjoy the chapter

ki o tsukete - be careful, teme - bastard, tanjoubi omedetou - happy birthday, kirei - beautiful, domo arigato - thank you very much

Chapter 14: Devastation

"It's such a nice night."

"Yeah I can see why Kazekage-sama likes to go out on the dunes at night sometimes."

Two sand shinobi stood guard at the top of the huge walls that surrounded the slumbering Sunagakure. The night left a quiet brisk breeze that weaved across the dune like an artist painting a picture on a canvas. Grains of sand whisked off into the air and the beautiful dunes stretched for miles. Sunagakure was a very beautiful place at night. It was very peaceful.

"I hope our shift ends soon," one of them sighed.

"Hahaha you know we got a few more hours to go," the other one laughed, "It has been a long day though and I would have to agree wi…"

Before the man finished his sentence something happened that was very unexpected. The watch guard position on the wall they occupied collapsed from a vicious explosion. Both men were lost in the flames as several more explosions went off in a domino fashion across the circular protective wall. Very quickly many shinobi zoomed through the openings that were created all across the wall. It appeared that the enemy was finally striking one of the major villages.

Many cloud-nin and rock-nin darted in every which direction ready to take out one of their major enemies. If they were succesful it would surely lead to the end of the war and the absolute victory for Sasuke. More explosions popped up inside the village as little bolts of lightning flashed into buildings and piles of rock smashed into homes. It was obvious they were looking to cause utter devastation.

Reacting quickly sand shinobi took off into every corner of their large village. The enemy wasn't going to go through them without a fight. Battles ensued all across the village as the shinobi clashed. More and more explosions popped up in different places all leading towards the Kazekage's home. It looked like the enemy was going straight for the village leader but they would be met with much resistance.

"Gaara what do you want us to do!?" Kankuro urgently asked him.

Gaara stood there silently as he looked out the tiny circular window at the destruction that was happening outside. He was somewhat at a disbelief to what was happening but tried his best not to show it. Already he sent forth the first wave to hold them off but now he needed to get his people to safety.

"Everyone in the village needs to be evacuated to the safe zone," Gaara spoke not looking away from the window.

"I will get right on…"

"No," Gaara stopped him, "Inform Baki to assembly a small group that is strictly for the protection of the people as they lead them to the safe zone."

"What is it that you want me to do?" Kankuro raised his voice.

"I want you to help fight off the enemy," he blankly answered.

"But you still need protection here Gaara," Kankuro quickly responded.

"I'll be fine. You are one of the most gifted shinobi in Sunagakure…I believe in you. You can stop them," Gaara sincerely spoke, "Besides I can hold my own if they reach here."

"Alright I'm heading out then," Kankuro said making his way to the door.

"Ki o tsukete," Gaara softly said.

"Hai," he firmly nodded his head before leaving.

"Not much resistence in this area," smirked one of the cloud-nin.

A faction of about nineteen or twenty cloud and rock shinobi made there way across a dusty and sandy four-way street. The sun slowly beginning to creep over the horizon and destruction. Several of the buildings around them had already crumbled and tiny shopping stands were lit afire. They were only a few hundred yards from their destination and it looked like they would make it too.

Just as the group of shinobi charged further a gust of wind blew through as someone swooped down on a giant fan. They stared in awe as the woman propped her fan onto the ground making a loud thud sound. The three purple circles on it seemed to bore into the very beings of their souls as if it wanted to tear them to shreds.

"Here I am coming to visit my brother and I just so happen to see the enemy heading his way," she remarked, "Bad thing for you guys is that our paths crossed."

Without giving it much thought the group of shinobi all performed different hand signs until finally they all placed their hands on the ground. Surges of lightning streamed forward and earth burrowed up towards Temari. Standing ever so calmly she coolly placed both hands on her giant fan as she prepared to attack.

"Kamaitachi no Jutsu!" she yelled while swinging her fan in the direction of the oncoming earth and lightning raging towards her.

A streaming flow of wind burrowed through their attacks easily blowing them away. Not having any time to react to Temari's attack the enemy shinobi were struck by the chakra imbued wind that circulated up forming a tornado of sharp wind. Many of the cloud and rock-nin cringed in agony as the deadly winds sliced through them like a tender piece of steak. A few fell to the ground apparantly dead while some seemed to recover after the cutting tornado slowly dissipated. One of the shinobi coming down landed squarly on Temari's now closed fan making him yell in utter pain. She swiftly flung him off and came dashing towards another survivor. Flinging the closed fan into the air she slammed another shinobi flat into the ground. Then in an elegant motion her fan jerked open as she spun in a circle releasing slicing winds around her killing the rest of the enemies.

"I should hurry to Gaara," she quickly spoke sliding the giant fan onto her back and under her red sash.

The enemy shinobi screamed in agony as poison-tipped needles blasted out of Karasu's (Crow) open arm. Blood splattered as the needles drilled into the shinobi's back. Several other sand shinobi surrounded their command leader Kankuro as they struck down many more enemies. Suddenly Kankuro jerked out another scroll that was on his back when he saw that a few fellow comrades would be taken down. With a quick puff of smoke Sanshouuo (Salamander) appeared in front them unlatching the shield on its body deflecting the sharp projectiles. Kankuro swiftly motioned Karasu towards their direction as sharp poisonous blades popped out from a compartment in his arms. The blades dug into two enemy shinobi causing them to scream in pain. Karasu then proceeded to open his mouth releasing poisonous gas in the direction of the rest of them. After the clearing of the poison mist, everyone could see the rest of the enemies lifelessly fall to the ground.

"Squads 2 and 6 head towards the west sector! Push the enemy forces back as far as you can. Squads 1 and 4 evacuate the rest of the people in this area and escort them to the designated safe zones!" Kankuro ordered, "Squads 3 and 5 proceed on with me."

"Hai Kankuro-sama!" all of them shouted in unison before breaking off.

Kankuro and the two remaining squads rushed off north of their current position. It was currently the area that was receiving the most damage. The most obvious thing was to clear out the most attacked location in the village. The success would lead the enemies to take a few steps back…hopefully. Just as they were making their way a screeching explosion came from the direction of Gaara's home. A disbeliefed look swarmed across Kankuro's face as he quickly motioned the squad to split sending some in their first destination and the rest to come with him. They hurried towards Gaara as more explosion's bounced around the young Kazekage's home.

"He has nowhere to go!" a cloud-nin shouted.

Rubble collapsed down off of the nearly destroyed home of the Kazekage. Despite the several explosions on the home there still appeared to be no movement from inside. Many of the enemy shinobi stared on a little excited that the explosions may have done the infamous Sabaku no Gaara. A dark figure began to take shape in the dusty smoke that filled the air. The rock and cloud-nin cautiously walked forward, squinting their eyes so as to better make out the figure.

Barely a second passed by when a surge of sand came rushing out of the smoke crashing into a few unsuspecting enemies slamming them into adjacent buildings. Several more enemy shinobi proceeded to move towards the figure only to find out they could not move. The sand had already latched onto their legs hindering their movement as it continued to cover the rest of their body. They struggled to move but the sand covering their bodies was too much for them.

"Sabaku Sousou…" the figure softly spoke.

All the surrounding enemies screamed in utter agony as they were crushed to death. Blood sprayed out like a light mist from the many mounds of sand. The smoke began to clear showing a obviously stolid Gaara standing ever so calmly in his usual fighting gear and giant gourd on his back. His unwavering eyes were quickly diverted as he noticed a worried Temari come rushing towards him.

"Gaara…are you…alright," she spoke trying to catch her breath.

"Hai," he gently responded, "You came home on the right day."

"I wasn't expecting to come home to a battlefield. Where is Kankuro? Is he ok?" she inquired.

"I'm perfectly fine," Kankuro said suddenly appearing with a group of sand shinobi, "I saw the explosions so I came here right away Gaara."

"I've already taken care of them," Gaara coolly responded.

"Gaara did you send word to Konoha of the attack?" Temari blurted in.

"We were able to send out a handful of courier hawks to Konoha…they were the only ones we could get out before the rest were killed," Gaara answered, "The enemy made sure to go after our quickest means of communication…even so we know Konoha won't be able to make it in time."

"So the next orders Gaara?" Kankuro redirected the focus to the here and now.

"Both of you continue to pick apart the enemy…" Gaara cut himself off.

"What are you thinking Gaara?" Kankuro spoke.

"I'm taking the field…I will protect the precious people of our village…I will lay my life on the line," Gaara sincerely said, "They will remember the day they tried to go against Sunagakure and regret ever attacking us."

A casual Karin stood on the soft sand dunes outside of the turmoil occuring in Sunagakure. Standing ever so calmly next to her was a foreboding man dressed in yellow and white kage robes. His head beheld a flaring golden mohawk, a chiseled face, and cold glaring black eyes. Seeming somewhat bored being there the man twiddled around with his fingers. Both of them were surrounded by a good-sized bunch of cloud and sound-nin. Sweat beaded down their faces as the bright sun shined upon their backs.

"Raikage-sama there really is no reason for you to be here," Karin commented on his demeanor, "You are more vulnerable here and Kumogakure is in the same position as well."

"This was my choice," he responded somewhat ticked, "I don't need the comments of a girl not even half my age telling me where I should be. I am well aware of the situation and your Sasuke requested that I be here to witness this."

"My apologies…I meant nothing by it," she quietly cowered away.

"Heh I don't care," he grunted, "And could you enlighten me as to why the Uchiha only sent this handful of his shinobi."

"Sasuke-kun is currently planning something else and requires the gist of our shinobi," Karin explained.

"Such a busy boy for such a massive war," the Raikage sarcastically huffed, "Even more is that the guy keeps me in the dark."

"Sasuke does not mean to be disrespectful but this is his war afterall," Karin hissed back.

The Raikage broke out into an entertained laughter, "I sense a little bite in that bark girl. That's good to see someone act so fiesty as I feel."

"Hmph!" was all she could respond with.

"No comment now, what a shame," he softly sighed to himself adverting his attention back towards the village.

Gaara calmly trudged through his now devasted village. Columns of sand surged forward like second nature bashing and smashing enemy shinobi to their deaths. Sometimes several sharp projectiles would break the air zooming towards Gaara only to be instantly blocked by his Suna no Tate.

From the way things were looking the brave shinobi of Sunagakure were going to push their attackers to retreat. Even a morose Gaara could feel that this was not the best that Iwagakure or Kumogakure had in their arsenal. If this was just a message to the rest of the villages that Sasuke and the rest were not afraid to take big risks then the message would come across clearly. This war was going to start building a very high death toll.

Seemingly Gaara noticed he had been walking around without a distinct destination as he came up to the once mighty wall that surround their humble village. Taking a few meager steps through the rubble Gaara made his way outside the crumbled walls. Scoping out the horizon Gaara's eyes befell upon a cluster of shinobi standing a bit away from the village. His eyes slowly squinted into a more serious one noticing the formation of the cluster was circled around two figures. The ones in the center looked as they are the ones in charge.

Without giving it a second thought Gaara dashed towards them as he formed a couple of hands signs. Slamming his palms together Gaara came to a sliding stop. The cluster of shinobi quickly noticed his approach but were too late for what was to happen.

"Ryuusa Bakuryuu."

A massive tidal wave of sand began to quickly rise up prepared to bring certain death to the enemies deep beneath the sand. Several of the shinobi launched all sorts of shurikens and kunai at Gaara's direction only to see them get swallowed into the gargantuan sand wave. Surging forward the sand came crashing forward and down onto the helpless enemies. Not being able to react in time a figure instantly appeared in a flash of lightning jamming a rough kick into Gaara's unsuspecting face.

Gaara's body flopped a few feet across the soft sand. There was a look of surprise in Gaara's eyes as he slowly rose up. Little trickles of sand fell from the cracks on his cheek. Looking back to where the assailant struck him Gaara could see that the people that he had just attempted his attack on were all standing before him. And the man that apparently looked like the one that hit him stood there in his white and yellow robes grinning the biggest of grins.

"Guess you weren't quick enough to get us boy," he continued smirking, "But who would of thought you would leave the confines of your own village looking for a fight."

"Who…are you?" Gaara stood still as the sand reformed on his cheek.

"Well I'm the deadly Black Lightning of the clouds Tobikuma Nozomu," he proclamied.

"The Raikage of Kumogakure," Gaara reflected out loud.

"Indeed and I really have to say its quite convenient for you to be here. I would have expected you to stay in the village and fight off this onslaught but instead you go searching for the source of command…how foolish."

"The village is in good hands. My fellow comrades will not lose," Gaara retorted.

"Well if your that confident then maybe you would be brave enough to have a little Kage skirmish," he suggested.

"You act as if you're just playing a game here attacking us."

"Oh but of course," the Raikage continued on mockingly, "There is no way some lowly village could stand against us and there is definitely no way some inept Kazekage can handle me!"

A massive explosion inside the village detered Gaara's attention for a second but Nozomu did not leave any time to waste. In a brisk movement he landed a punch square in Gaara's face and with a slight motion he rammed both of his open hands into Gaara's chest. Swarms of lightning flowed through his palms and around Gaara yet there was no look of surprise on Gaara's face. Nozomu increased the flow of lightning only to have Gaara turn to sand and fall ever so gently onto the ground

"What a shitty Suna Bunshin," Nozomu chuckled dusting his clothes off.

Nozomu coolly turned to Gaara's new position just before four walls of sand rose up around him. Quickly the four walls slammed together with Nozomu right in the middle, sand splashing off in every which direction.

"You're still being too slow boy," Nozomu's voice came from behind Gaara.

Gaara jumped away as rows of sand flew towards Nozomu. Nozomu continued to flash from place to place easily avoiding the deadly sand attacks. Instantly appearing in front of Gaara the Raikage rammed a jarring knee into his stomach, a slashing uppercut to his face, and a devasting kick sliding Gaara back across the sand.

"I'm not just called the Black Lightning because of the unique ninjutsu I possess. My lightning speed is so scary it is like being lost in the blackest of nights," he commented like it came straight out of a book.

Nozomu prepared to continue his display of speed but all of a sudden he found he could not move. He struggled to take his steps toward Gaara but his struggle was to no avail. Gritting his teeth together Nozomu looked down to see the sand firmly gripping his ankles.

"You may be fast but this is my playing field," Gaara flatly spoke.

"Teme!" Nozomu hissed just before receiving a blast of sand to the back that pushed him several yards slamming him into the ground.

"Needless to say Nozomu you are at a disadvantage here."

"Tanjoubi Omedetou Naruto!" Hinata and the rest shouted in unison.

Naruto walked into his office to see all his friends gathered around his desk and a giant cake with chocolate icing placed so neatly on it. Nineteen brightly burning birthday candles were lined up on the top of it. Naruto quickly rushed over to it swiping a finger through the icing and shoving it in his mouth.

"Hey baka at least make a wish first before you go diving in," Sakura chuckled.

"Oh yeah heehehehe," Naruto calmly closed his eyes and focused on what would be his wish. After a few seconds he opened his eyes and blew out all the candles.

"What'd you wish for Naruto-kun?" Lee asked him.

"For a better tomorrow," Naruto jerked out a huge smile as he scooped up a chunk of the cake with his hand.

A loud bam sound was heard as Sakura drilled a punch into the side of Naruto's head. Everyone burst out laughing even Naruto with his handful of cake still intact in his palm. Before Sakura could even scold him, Naruto hurled the cake at her planting it square on her face. She stood very still in silence while Naruto rushed behind Hinata for protection.

"Ha don't even think of doing anything Sakura-chan my kirei will protect me," he stuck his tongue out.

A small wink came from Hinata directed towards Sakura as she quickly side-stepped a swarming large pile of flying cake. It blasted straight into Naruto's face causing much surprise in his demeanor.

"Hinata-chan you didn't protect me," he pouted.

Hinata burst into a joyous giggle, "I thought it would be funny if you got hit with the cake."

"Is that so?" he commented just before picking up some cake and squishing it on Hinata's head.

Then in a sudden moment everyone broke out in a cake fight. Pieces of it flew every which way slapping onto walls and bursting into people's faces. Laughter filled the room creating such happiness. From time to time Choji would quickly rush up to eat a piece only to fell a big chunk be plopped on his face. Shikamaru, Ino, an Kiba all teamed up to splattered their opponents to cake oblivion. Shino tried to stand quietly out of the way but was forced in by Lee, Tenten, and even Neji. It was simply a joyous sight to behold.

During this whole time no one had noticed that Kakashi had quietly walked in. Naruto back peddled attempting to avoid another flying piece and gradually bumped into the quiet Kakashi. Quickly Naruto turned around to greet his former teacher.

"Hey Kakashi-sensei! Come to wish me a happy birthday!"

"Oh yes it is your birthday…Tanjoubi Omedetou…but I need to speak with you in private Naruto," Kakashi solemnly responded.

Everyone came to sudden halt as Naruto moved closer to hear what Kakashi had to say. In a matter of a second Naruto's bright and smiling face suddenly turned to one filled with utter fear and shock. They could all tell that whatever Kakashi said was not good news.

"When did the attack start?" Naruto softly asked so no one could hear him.

"Early daybreak…"

"And the casualties so far," his mood falling deeper down.

"We have no idea but the severity in the several messages we received make us assume that hundreds could be dead already and even thousands injured or near death."

"Send whatever men you feel we can disperse to them…I know that it will be too late for us to help them thwart the attack but this is the best we can do," Naruto paused for a moment, "Establish a connection with Gaara quickly…and Kakashi-sensei."

"Yes Naruto?"

"Inform the elders and the rest of my war council that we are to assemble a meeting as soon as possible," Kakashi nodded to Naruto before flashing out of sight.

"Naruto what is happening?" Hinata asked before anyone else could.

Slowly he turned towards them his eyes showing shock and an even deeper anger, "…They've attacked Sunagakure…"

Death permeated the air and blood splashed through the sky as the combating shinobi fought tooth and nail. Temari flashed her fan every which direction tearing apart her inferior opponents and Kankuro's Karasu ducked and dived through the onslaught. Enemies and comrades alike were all falling to the ground as the battle raged on. Their minds were wrapped up in the heat of the fight.

A sliver of a moment brought them back down to earth when a massive blast scorched up from outside of the village. Kankuro and Temari quickly turned towards the direction of the blast to see a streaming swarm of black lightning flare up into the air. Looks of disbelief fell over their faces at the enormous sight of it all.

"If I knew any better then I would think that Gaara is out there," Temari remarked, "Kankuro you should…"

"I'm already on it," he cut in, "I'll take some reinforcements and back him up."

"Hurry!"

The smoke and lightning cleared to reveal an out-of-breath Gaara standing motionless attempting to gather himself. He gripped tightly on his left arm as blood trickled down it onto the dry sand. Pieces of sand crumbled off of his now bruised and battered face.

"You know Sabaku no Gaara for being hailed as one of the shinobi with a near-impervisous defense you're not doing a good job of holding that position," Nozumu mocked him, "It seems in the time you felt I underestimated you caused you to underestimate me."

"Come on Raikage-sama let's leave," Karin butted in, "Sasuke-kun did not want you to actually take part in the fight physically."

"Tsk, keep your tongue to yourself!" he yapped back, "I'm entitled to a little fun here."

A slithering line of sand came rushing up to latch onto a distracted Nozumu only to result in a failure as Nozumu quickly flipped over it dashing up to an already exhausted Gaara. Performing a combination of hand seals Nozumu stopped right in front of Gaara. He shot forth his hand while a tiny black cluster of lightning gathered at his fingertips.

"Raiton: Raijin Kuroiito no Jutsu."

In a instant a thin thread of black lightning jetted out of each of his fingertips. The threads quickly flowed over Gaara and tightened down around his body. Nozumu slid back across the sand stretching the black electrical thread far enough to his statisfaction to finally grip onto it. Gaara attempted a slight movement only to cringe in pain from a stinging jolt.

"You're probably wondering what this is. Just consider it like a chakra thread except fueled by my black lightning," Nozomu explained, "A slight movement may cause a little sting but this thread messes with your nervous system making it even harder for you to retaliate and if you bother me too much with a struggle I can pull on this line and rip your body to shreds…So boy what are you going to do?"

Gaara stared at him almost lifelessly before closing his eyes to ponder the situation. A matter of several seconds tolled by when he slowly cracked open his eyes. With what strength he had left Gaara tried moving whatever he had left to control in his body. Twitches of pain flashed on his face as he continue to move more and more in the wrapped threads. A few sounds of agony came leaking from under his breath but it only made Gaara struggle more.

"If that is how you want it," Nozomu said just as he pulled on the thread ripping Gaara into pieces.

To his surprise the shredded Gaara collapsed into soft brown sand causing Nozomu's anger to expand. The thread quickly disintegrated into the air while his gaze bounced around the area for Gaara. Finally Nozomu came upon a battered Gaara rising from the sand. Shaking the dust out of his auburn hair Gaara's eyes flared a sheer determination.

"I told you that this is my playing field," Gaara flatly said.

"Foolish to think you can beat…," Nozomu trailed off noticing a group of people coming their way.

Karin too had quickly noticed, "So maybe now we should get going since more are coming this way Raikaga-sama."

Nozomu disappointingly sighed, "Fine…I'm not looking to fight a bunch of lesser rank and unworthy shinobi. This village looks like its done for anyways so send a few of these shinobi to sound the pull out."

"Don't…run," Gaara huffed.

"Oh I'm not my wayward opponent," Nozomu waved him off, "There just isn't anything left for me to do here. Maybe when you get stronger we could have another go at it but until then wallow in the remains of your so called precious village."

And without another wasted moment they were gone. All that was left for Gaara was a bitter taste in his mouth. It left him with the unknown calculation of killed and injured. It left him with devastation. Gaara waited patiently as Kankuro and the others came closer. Still deep down all this did was leave him with a feeling that he let his village down. He failed to protect the very people he swore to watch over, but this was a loss for every single person sworn to watch over this village. What would be next?

"Naruto-sama they are ready for you," Shizune came into his office to inform him.

"Arigato Shizune-neesan."

Naruto rose from his chair while Shizune quietly closed the door behind her. Dressed in his rarely worn Hokage robes Naruto stepped up to his open window and looked off into the sky. He wondered if Gaara and his village were still under attack. Were they pushing the enemies away or were they suffering from utter devastation? All Naruto could do was hope and have faith that they were driving the enemy out. It was all he could do at the moment. Turning around he slowly dragged his way towards the door.

"Hey," a voice softly sounded out. Naruto gently turned around to see a gloomy Yasu propped up on the open window seal.

"Yasu…," Naruto muttered, "I…um…this isn't a really good time."

"Yeah I heard what was happening in Sunagakure," he stepped down into the office, "I don't want to take up your time but I had to go get you something for your birthday. I know it's a bad time but…uh…here."

Yasu reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. Yasu raised it up to Naruto who gradually reached out for it. Gently unfolding the thing it revealed a picture of a newborn Naruto being held ever so tenderly by a happy Kushina. Naruto stared at the picture not budging a single inch. Seemingly out of nowhere a single tear trailed down his cheek and landed with a soft patter onto the picture.

"I know it's not the same as being able to know her but I thought that at least you could always carry her with you," Yasu spoke.

"Domo arigato," he sobbed, "This…this means a lot."

"I wish you could have known her," Yasu added in, "She had always said your life was going to be a hard one but she knew that you would be able to overcome any adversity...She loved you very deeply."

Naruto folded the picture back up and slid it into the sash wrapped around his waist, "…So I should probably get going into my meeting."

"Yeah I shouldn't take up more of your time right now," Yasu remarked as Naruto began to walk back towards the door, "Um wait Naruto there was another thing."

"Nanika?"

"I would like to offer my services to you…Kenta and Koki as well," Yasu bowed to him, "It would be an honor to work for you and this village."

"Then welcome aboard…," he flashed him a smile before making his way out of the office.

"I won't let you down Naruto."

so yeah pop in some reviews and stuff...i always liking getting any kind of review. The next chapter will not take as long to post up as I did with this one. So till next chapter.

Kamaitachi no Jutsu - Cutting Whirlwind Technique
Sabaku Sousou - Desert Funeral
Suna no Tate - Shield of Sand
Ryuusa Bakuryuu - Quicksand Waterfall Current
Suna Bunshin - Sand Clone
Raiton: Raijin Koroiito no Jutsu - Lightning Release: God of Lightning's Black Thread