AN: I apologize for the late update heavily! I hope you guys aren't too mad at me…or even forgot about the story all together. School has started up once again and that has left me with little to no time to work on my stories. Honestly, it's way effing annoying, but hey, a girl needs her education. I just wish it took up less of my time!

It's been three months since I started training with Juugo, and I must admit I love my curse. As weird and sinister as that may sound, it's the truth. The boost in power it has given me is almost like ecstasy for me. I know that the majority of the ninja in the Leaf find it unsettling to watch me when I'm in my second state, but I don't really care anymore. I know that I have a fighting chance in this war now.

Currently, I'm sitting across from Shoji and Gontei in a small restaurant all the future leaders of Konoha use as sort of a hang out. The two boys have accepted my dark transformation, and have gotten used to my change in looks and power level when I'm in my second state.

"Do you have any idea when we're going to be sent out?" I ask Shoji, since he is the savviest on the war tactics out of the three of us. "Naruto returned from the island two weeks ago. I know they won't be able to keep him out of the fight now. I've witness his newly gained skills first hand; they know he is more than capable of protecting himself from anything at this point. He may be even strong enough to help with the death of Madara, much less Sasuke."

Shoji sighs, having a rare serious expression plastered onto his features. "I did overhear Lady Tsunade talking with Shizune about it a few days ago." He pauses to take a sip of his tea as Gontei and I give him looks that clearly say we want no hesitation. "And by what they were saying, I give it a few more days before the Kage's meet again and come up with the stations."

I quirk an eyebrow, "What do you mean, 'stations'?"

Shoji's bright blue orbs meet with my pale blue ones as he explains. "They're going to put Shinobi and konoichi from each Hidden Village into certain groups, depending on their skills. Each group will be working together in a tightly knit unit against whoever their target is, whether it be the big dogs or just stray renegade ninja that think Madara will win."

I nod to show that I now understand. So I'll be working with ninja from other villages, that's a new one. But it's not unexpected with the alliance at work.

I glance over at my cousin who has a thoughtful look about him at the moment. He must be mulling over the idea of working alongside someone he's never met before. Maybe even hoping that Hinata will be in his group, just so he can protect her. I giggle quietly at the last thought, making Gontei look up at me with his amber eyes. I grin at him then look back over to Shoji.

"I'm not trying to make either of you look like children, but will you be okay working without me in this war?" I look between both of them as I ask this, making as much eye contact as possible. I want them to know that I won't make fun of them if they say no.

Shoji snorts at the idea as Gontei rolls his eyes with a smug grin on his lips. I arch my eyebrows, giving them a look that says I want them to elaborate.

"Popori, we went a month and then some without you when you were with Taka. Did you think we just stopped going on missions because you were off with Sasuke?" Shoji smirks, taking another sip of his tea to finish it.

Gontei merely crosses his arms over his chest and shakes his sandy blond hair from his eyes, giving me an amused look.

I sit back in the booth, almost deflating into the cushion. Well, I might have thought that a little bit. I mean, they didn't replace me or anything… What am I thinking? Team Kakashi worked fine when Sasuke left, why would Team Oricha be any different? I shake my head of the silly thoughts then smile at the two boys.

"Of course not, I was just wondering if you guys still felt you had to protect me with you lives or something like that." I smile at them as they both make scoffing sounds.

I pay the bill, even though I didn't eat anything, and head out of the restaurant with a humble feeling in my stomach.

I look around the village in search of the other former members of Taka. Really, I just want to tell them that they may be fighting with someone from another village that they've never met before and depending on them to keep them alive. That's not a big deal at all, though.

I find the trio in the outer part of the village. Juugo is resting in a one of the lower branches of a tree, talking with a small sparrow while Karin and Suigetsu bicker in the shade provided by said tree. I chuckle at the scene. Only these three could manage something like this.

"You are such an idiot! Why did the old Hokage even let you stay here? She must not know how stupid you are." Karin throws heated insults at Suigetsu as the sharp-toothed boy just snickers.

"I could say the same about you, Karin. Except, your lack of useful abilities is more than likely the reason they left you alive. They pity you, really." Suigetsu snickers once again, leaning against the base of the tree.

I approach the three of them with a smile on my face. I love watching Suigetsu and Karin interact together. It's so amusing. "Hey guys. Karin, don't throw things at Suigetsu. He's only telling the truth."

I laugh along with Suigetsu as the four eyed female starts fuming with rage, her cheeks turning a shade of red from the anger she holds.

"Now onto the real topic," I say, dodging Karin's feeble attempt at punching me in the stomach and filling the three in on my new knowledge.

They all take the news differently; Suigetsu seems to not really care one way or the other, Karin is irritable because it's what she does best, Juugo looks excited. Maybe it's because he's going to be able to work with even more people and get to be more social. Whatever he's feeling, it's positive.

"And, that's pretty much all that I came to tell you guys." I say honestly, shrugging my shoulders a bit.

Karin crosses her arms over her shoulders and sneers, "Well I think it's stupid. Why should I heal people I don't even know the names of?"

I glare at her and snarl in response. "For the same reason you want to keep that tongue of yours."

She rolls her eyes, but I can tell by the shift in her posture that she's been stirred by my threat. The redhead is well aware that I am capable of cutting out her tongue if I so please. It all just depends on how she acts around me.

A few hours later, I'm standing in front of Lady Tsunade's office, pondering on why I'm here in the first place. Shoji and Gontei are close behind me and are expecting me to do most of the talking, but I still am not fully sure why I've been put in this position.

Apparently, the boys want to know who we'll be positioned with during the war. I really could care less, but they're curious and they won't stop bothering me.

Sighing, I push my dark blue hair out of my eyes and knock on the door. I get admittance to go in soon after, so I push the door open and enter, my head bowed.

"Lady Tsunade. My team and I would like to know something, if we may be so bold." I say, using my most respectable voice in the presence of the Hokage.

The blond woman eyes us suspiciously before intertwining her fingers and letting them hover over her mouth. "Go ahead, Popori. What is it that you want answered?"

I let my eyes lock onto hers quickly before dropping them back to the floor. "We'd like to know who we've been paired with for the war, if it's possible."

Hearing her quiet sigh is enough to make me think that our question was too much. I want to take back my words, but it's too late now. I can feel the tension of Shoji and Gontei beside me. They're thinking the same as me.

"Well, none of you are together in the same group." The Hokage says, surprising us all.

Shoji goes against his own request and talks boldly, "Wait, you mean we won't be fighting along side each other, and if one of us gets injured or dies, we won't know until the battle is over?" His voice is on the edge of hysteria when he's finished with his question.

I don't know what to think of this. Shoji made it even worse to contemplate. But he's right; if one of us gets hurt, the rest of us won't know. It takes a stab at my heart just thinking about it now.

"Quiet down," Tsunade instructs with an irritable tone. "There are only a few members of the same team that will be stationed together. We've all been separated by our talents and ranks. It's something you'll just have to deal with." The Hokage looks us over then speaks again, "Now, do you want to know who'll you'll be with, or not?"

I look to the two boys who both give me a nod, then nod myself to the Hokage.

"Shoji, you'll be with Ino Yamanaka, a Shinobi from the Mist, a Konoichi from the Sand, two samurai, and a Konoichi and Shinobi from the Cloud." Glancing at Gontei, she continues. "Gontei will be with Hinata Hyuga, Shino Aburame, three Shinobi from the Rock, and a konoichi from the Mist." Finally, she looks at me and sighs. "Popori, you'll be stationed with Kakashi, Kurenai, myself, Iruka, Anko, Karin, and Mifune, the head of the samurai."

I blink once before raising my voice, something I rarely do in the Hokage's presence. "What? Why have I been positioned in the obviously higher up team? This is outrageous, I'm no better than Shoji or Gontei or any other of the rookie nine, so I shouldn't be treated as such!" I breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth to calm myself.

But I'm right; there is no reason for me to be placed in such a group. I'm keeping my argument, and I'm not backing down.

Tsunade drops her fists onto the desk with a soft thud. "Damn it all Popori Ikame, will you listen before you go off on a rant?" I don't protest so she continues. "You're in my group because you have inside information. You're someone who we will need if things turn out a certain way."

"And what way would that be?" I ask with a more controlled tone.

"The way that forces our group to go up against Madara himself." She answers in an even tone that matches mine.

My breath catches in my throat at the same time the boys' flanking me does. So that's it, we'll be the ones fighting the head honcho himself. No pressure or anything. Plus, I have to deal with Karin the whole damn time. Hell, I'll end up killing her myself if all she does is whine.

I massage my temples then nod in understanding. "Of course, Lady Tsunade, I shouldn't have raised my voice. It was inappropriate for the situation. I apologize."

"Apology accepted, now get out of my office and go do some training for once." The blond says sarcastically. Everyone knows I spend all of my days and most nights out in the training fields, perfecting my new power.

I bow my head, then turn on my heels and exit the room. As soon as we're out of hearing distance I punch Shoji in the arm.

"Happy now? I'm pretty sure this field trip only made things worse!" I hiss at him as he rubs his forearm, trying to numb some of the pain I just delivered to him. Good, now he knows some of the pain I have, thinking about the consequences if I screw this up.

AN: I should end the chapter here, but I think you guys deserve better, since I've made you wait so long. Here's some stuff that is supposed to start the next chappy. :)

The air is tense with the thirst for blood.

Both sides stare down the other. It seems that our side has the advantage; it clearly has more people, but their side has such a menacing and powerful chakra fighting for them that makes it feel like we should just do away with the weaker ninja right now. If we do that, maybe we won't have time to mourn over the losses and pay more attention to the fight at hand.

Alas, we need all the help we can get. And who knows, maybe one of the weaker ninja will end up being the one to kill off someone important.

There's no more time to ponder on whether or not taking out the weaker links is a good idea or not; the Kage's have started the war cry. As we separate into our designated groups and begin rushing towards our opponents, all I can focus on is the bloodlust in Sasuke Uchiha's eyes and the feeling of being separated from the ones I love. This may be the last time I see them, so I quickly steal a glance at all of those important to me.

Gaara, Kankuro, Temari, Sate, Gontei, Shoji, Oricha, Shikamaru, Tsunade, Kakashi, Suigetsu, Juugo; if this is the last time I see you, let it be known that you are the most important people in my life. I love you.

I love you.

AN: So, I know I promised some war in this chapter…but I feel I had to get this out before the war stuffs. So, just bear with me please. Reviews? Maybe? Hate-mail? Please?