Welcome back, I apologize again for the 'Filler' chapter, but this is where the action starts. I've gotten a lot of questions on whether or not the boys will tell the girls about where they are REALLY from. I am still on the fence about this, so for now, I don't know. As for Naruto being on the ShikaInoCho team, I couldn't help myself. Alright, Here we go!

Disclaimer - I do NOT own Naruto

"Blah" - Speaking over headsets

-Chapter 27: Dawn of War-

Hinata entered the Dancing Leaf and was immediately face to face with a beaming, middle aged, man, "Did you have reservations Hinata-sama?"

"She is with me," stated Gaara from behind the man, then he turned to his dinner guest, "You look wonderful."

Hinata blushed as she attempted to smooth out her white dress which ended six inches above her knees. She was confident it was modest enough, but as her father's extreme amounts of protest played through her mind she became self-concious. Her head snapped up as she realized that they were now being seated, Gaara then pulled out her chair for her, "Arigato."

"Something is bothering you," he stated as she began fidgeting under his gaze, "what is it, Hinata?" He watched as she mumbled something but still kept her gaze on her index fingers that were continually prodding themselves, "Pardon?" he questioned.

"Did you miss me?" she questioned slightly louder and with completely flushed cheeks. Gaara let out a laugh which caused Hinata to be caught up in a mix of anxiety and frustration, "why is that funny?" she questioned without an attempt to hide her irritated tone. 'Maybe he doesn't like me? What if he was just being friendly and I read it all wrong? Oh no, I have to get out of here!'

As she shifted quickly to get up from the table she felt something grip her ankle, "Don't go," said Gaara, "I apologize, but would I have written you every week if I did not miss you?" He felt the Hyuuga heir's strain against her ankle binding relax, in return he removed the sand, "How could I not miss you, Hinata?"

Shukaku was looking quite smug in his cage, 'and the Judges give you a 9.5 out of 10 for the flawless recovery.'

Her frown was completely evaporated and replaced with her shy smile, "Well you know about all of my undertakings while you were away, but how was your trip to train in Suna?" she questioned

The redhead took on a thoughtful expression for a moment, he realized that he had only responded to news from her in their letters without shedding any light on himself, "My father cannot cook, my sister spoke of nothing but Naruto, my brother was playing with his puppets all day, and I was in the desert training most of the time."

Hinata let out a short giggle, "Did you train with someone?" her companion nodded in confirmation, "He must've been really strong to be able to teach you something, who was it?"

Gaara froze, "A very unique teacher," he replied. In his mind the one-tailed Tanuki was grumbling, "Yes, very unique," he reiterated

"I see," she lied, "Did you meet with Neji-nii-san and Shino-kun yet?"

He nodded, "Yes, Shino and Yumi seem to be quite fine with the arrangement. Neji, however, seems to be a bit distraught."

"Hai," replied Hinata, "He's been training extremely hard for the past year so that when you returned he could challenge you to a fight. Ever since your match was interupted he has been quite focused on defeating you."

After an hour and an odd assortment of food, the Demon vessel and the Hyuuga heiress were making their way to the compound of the Hyuuga. "I hope you enjoyed the evening," said Gaara with a smile

"Very much so, thank you," she replied. As she hooked her arm with his, she grinned inwardly. When they approached the compound gates Hinata frowned, "I don't think I want to go home right now."

Gaara let out a light chuckle, "I agree, but with everything that is occuring I do not believe a nighttime stroll would be the best idea."

She pouted in reply, "wouldn't you protect me?" In a flash, she had two arms wrapped around her body and she was being held tightly to her companions chest. She went wide-eyed and flushed crimson, "G-Gaa-?"

"Always," he cut her off and released his hold, "I will always protect you, even at the cost of my existance."

Hinata was breathless, to the point of her brain or voice refusing to function, at the sincerity in the redheaded man's eyes. She barely registered the 'Good-Night' he offered before setting off towards his home. Once she entered her room, and sat down on her bed, her senses finally returned and she smiled, "Gaara-kun."

On the other side of Konoha Zaiaku was sitting next to Sakura, "Two orders of Dango please," said the pink haired girl to the waitress. With a swift nod the woman scooted off to fill her request, "So," started Sakura, "happy to be back?"

Zaiaku placed his glass of water back on the table after taking a sip, "of course," he replied, "happy to have me back?" he added with a grin

She fought down the blush in her cheeks, "Maybe." After a few moments of silence she spoke up again, "How was your training?"

"Great," replied the ice-nin honestly, "I learned a whole hell of a lot, got a little faster too."

"You were training with that Shiva, right?" she questioned while looking into her glass that was clasped inbetween her hands

Zaiaku went wide-eyed and choked on his water, "What? How do you know about her?" he stammered

"Naruto blurted it out while we were healing you after the battle," she replied earnestly, "So is she your sensei?"

'It is time, little-one,' said Shiva firmly

'I understand,' he thought, "Come with me," he said to Sakura in an uncharacteristically firm tone, "I want to show you something."

"But, dinner," she retorted, the look he gave her silenced anymore protests. Exiting the resturaunt in a very uncomfortable silence, the pink haired kunoichi followed her companion all the way to the lake, "What are you doing?"

Without a word Zaiaku shed his jacket and shirt, leaving him bare chested. Silently he made his way to the middle of the lake, "Watch." Forming the ram seal he began to channel his chakra, not enough to call attention to the area, but enough to make his seal appear. After the water was covered in a sheen of ice, he ceased his channeling and began to walk back to his companion, "Do you know what that was?"

"It looked like a seal," she replied, "but that was more complex than anything I've ever seen."

Zaiaku pulled on his shirt and sat down on the grass, looking solemn, "It's the eight point demon seal." Looking over as the pink haired girl sat next to him he continued, "It's used to seal ethereal entities into objects, it was originally used by monks thousands of years ago to deal with omnipotent demons that were immortal. Eventually the monks died out and the technique was lost, thankfully the great demons that roamed the earth freely were either sealed or banished from this plane of existance." He laid back on the grass and laced his fingers behind his head, "Unfortunately that didn't last, no one knows when or how, but someone called the tailed beasts from the demon world. When they hit this world, they were driven mad by the malice of their summoners, going into a rampage. Eventually they were all sealed into either objects or individuals, the only one that roamed free was the Kyuubi, he was too powerful to be sealed by anything. Eventually he was sealed away by the Yondaime using the Shikifuujin (Dead Demon Imprisonment), when his container dies he will be sent back to the demon world."

"I thought you said the sealing technique was lost?" she questioned, "how did the Yondaime do it? And if he sealed it inside someone who was it?"

Zaiaku closed his eyes, "He didn't, he created a bastardized version of it, the original eight point demon seal was just a technique, the one the Yondaime used costs the user his life." Cracking his eye open he smiled at his rivited audience, "You're a smart girl, you can figure out who it was sealed in."

Sakura emulated him and laid back on the grass, their bodies almost touching, "So you have a tailed demon sealed inside you?"

"No," he replied. Turning his head he laughed at her look of frustration, "There are several kinds of ethereal entities, the tailed demons are just one type, another is the elemental." Turning his eyes to the night sky he continued, "Shiva, the ice queen, is my entity."

'Zaiaku-kun,' thought the kunoichi as her eyes teared up

"What's that look for?" he questioned, "she's been my salvation and she's watched over me, I consider her more of my mother, than my curse." He abruptly stood up and offered Sakura a hand, "I'll tell you a secret," he said as he helped her to her feet, "The only reason they're called demons is because man gave them that name, and they only gave that name because man fears what he doesn't understand.They are quite noble, and aren't truely malicious, they simply possess terrifyingly great powers. Just like men however, the weakest are the ones that try to gain more power, while the strongest are content in knowing they're strong."

"Naruto and Gaara," said Sakura abruptly, "They have something inside them don't they? Then, when you gave me your chakra to recover my from my depletion, that power I felt was Shiva." She was still pondering when she noticed Zaiaku facing away from her, "Zaiaku-kun?"

"Scared of me yet?" he questioned without turning around. He heard feet shuffle in the grass and soft fingers intertwine with his, he immediately blushed, "Sakura?"

"That just means I don't have to worry about you three as much," she replied pulling him back towards the village, "Come on, I'm still hungry," then she turned back around and poked out her tongue, "Frosty."

The next morning, the sun poured it's light over the hidden leaf village. Naruto groaned as the blinding light came in through his still open balcony door, "That thing needs a dimmer," he grumbled. As he attempted to roll away from the light, he felt something wieghing him down, "what the?" Looking down he saw a head of sandy blonde hair, 'uh oh. Ok, no big deal, just get up and out of here before...'

"Naruto-kun," came the groggy voice of a half awake Temari. Blinking several times she looked up at him, "Naruto-kun, why are we sleeping together on the floor?" she questioned when she realized their position. "More importantly what happened last night? I remember getting sloshed."

"I remember bringing you home and putting you in the bed," he recited everythign his foggy memory provided, "that's it, I think."

Temari cocked an eyebrow, "You don't think we-" she made a few hand gestures

Naruto blushed almost purple, "NO!"

Before he could protest anymore a knock came from the door, "Oi! You decent?" came the voice of Zaiaku, without waiting for affirmation he opened the door. What he saw stopped him in his tracks, Temari's top was hanging off her shoulders and her hair was down. Naruto was red in the face and look to just have woken up as well, "There's a bed you know," stated Zaiaku fighting down his laughter, "I'm sure Temari-san would've been more comfortable." Then he did something that caused both blondes to pale, "Oi! Gaara! You have to see this."

After a moment, said person had poked his head over his taller teammates shoulder, "Well?" he questioned with a raised brow, "explain."

"You see," started Naruto, "I went to meet my team which, as you know, were located in the bar-"

Gaara cut him off, "You both became intoxicated," he stated simply, ending the conversation, "Hangover?"

"God aweful," replied Temari, "got anything for it?"

Zaiaku was about to respond when a loud pounding resounded from the front door, he sprinted to the living area and opened it, "Zabuza-sensei?"

"Somethings come up," stated the taller man, "captain's meeting is being held immediately in the hokage tower."

With a nod, the Demon of the mist was gone and Zaiaku was back at the door to his friends room, "Sorry to break this up but we have a meeting," he stated to the three others, "I think something bad has happened." Without another word he ran to his room and pulled on his black attire, green vest,and white coat.

In Naruto's room, Temari was watching as he pulled on his coat then jounin vest, "Go back to sleep," he said, "you might not get another chance to sleep late, for a while." He hefted his sword onto his back and locked it into place, "I'll be back as soon as I can."

After a quick kiss to the top of her head, Naruto was out the door with his teammates, "Bye," she replied quietly. In a split second her mood had done a complete one-eighty, "I'm a suna jounin for fuck's sake, I will not wait around worridly for my Naruto to return from battle." Getting up from her bed she grabbed her clothes from her dresser in Gaara's room and made for the shower. If there was a war to fight then she would not be the one left out.

As the three boys landed on the roof of another building Gaara scowled, "This is taking entirely too long," placing a hand on both his companion's shoulders they vanished in a whirl of sand, reappearing inside the strategy room. "Hokage-sama."

"Is this everyone?" several heads nodded in confirmation, "Alright, we've recieved word that the mist and sound have begun to move, it's about to begin."

Shikamaru stepped up, "Our intention was to close the southern pass, but we're going to have to abandon that pla-"

"We can do it," interupted Naruto, "My team as well as Zaiaku's was to accompany Gaara's to close the pass correct?" the black haired chunnin nodded in confirmation. "That's two ANBU teams, and two jounin teams," he stated as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, "If we encounter the enemy before the pass, then we have the best chance to slow them down while also making it out alive."

"Closing that pass is vital," interjected Jiraiya, "let them go, I think the brat may be able to pull it off."

"Do you think you can really get that pass closed and make it back here alive?" questioned the fifth Hokage

Naruto threw an arm around Gaara and Zaiaku, "Believe it!"

"Alright then," said Tsunade, "Move out, your teams are being gathered as we speak, they will meet you at the front gate."

"Hai," the three chorused and disappeared in another storm of sand

Kakashi frowned, "I'm worried about their safety."

Zabuza let out a chuckle, "I'm worred about them trying to take on the entire army by themselves. They've been itching to test out their strength."

At the gates Naruto, Gaara, and Zaiaku were eyeing their teams. Naruto had nominated himself in charge of the excursion, "Everyone clear?" he questioned, several nods were seen, "Zaiaku your team will scout in front, you're best suited for speed and if we run into an ambush, you guys can react the fastest. Gaara, your team will take the rear, Neji's Byakugan can watch for pursuers and Shino's bugs coupled with your sand will provide adequate cover till we can regroup. My team will take the center, we will watch for attacks from the sides and, if the situation calls for it, come up with a quick strategy should we get attacked."

"We should move out now," stated the Eagle masked ANBU, "the longer we wait, the lower the mission successrate drops."

Zaiaku slid his left sleeve up and unclasped a metal forearm guard, it hit the ground with a dull clang, "What?" he questioned as he took in Naruto and Gaara's incredulous looks and emulated the process on his right, "I can't heal like you guys, I had to get faster, it seemed like the most logical process."

"Right," replied Naruto with a grin, 'His speed is going to border on unreal.'

'He's right though,' replied the Kyuubi, 'Shiva can't offer the fast healing that Shukaku and I offer you and Gaara. So instead of getting hit and healing, he's opted to not get hit.'

Zaiaku meanwhile was addressing his team, "We didn't get off on the best foot, but this is for the protection of our village. We can't afford anything but precision," then he turned to the Eagle masked woman, "if anything happens to me, you are in charge."

The ANBU captain nodded in confirmation, her hand absentmindedly brushing against the blue ribbon tied to her wrist

-Flashback-

"Where are you going, Kaa-san?" questioned a small girl

The older woman removed her mask and placed a light kiss on her head, "I have an emergency mission, I have to go meet Shinto-san and his team, along with our temporary captain."

"He's the boy that took your job?" questioned the little girl with a frown

The ANBU captain smiled in spite of herself, "No, he's just there because he's strong."

"And because he defeated the leader of the mist seven at nearly the cost of his life," came another voice from the doorway, "his determination and dedication to our home swayed Tsunade-sama's decision, more than anything."

Turning her head, the woman smiled at her other daughter, "You sound a bit taken by him, my Cherry Blossom."

"Nee-chan likes ANOTHER boy?" exclaimed the youngest girl with an exaspirated sigh, "that makes the count.." she paused and ticked off fingers, "a billion!"

Sakura scowled, "I'll have you know he's only the SECOND boy I've liked, Momo!"

"Sakura stop fighting with your sister and help me tie this," interjected the woman as she gestured to the blue ribbon.

Sakura nodded and complied, tieing it securely around her wrist, "Why do you wear it kaa-san? Tou-san's been gone for twelve years," she ducked her head to hide her tears, "shouldn't we let go?"

Momiji placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder, "This was passed down from generation to generation in the Haruno clan, where your father came from," she replied, "it was to signify that the wearer was a warrior for the clan and that he was the strongest." She ran her fingers over the elegantly embroidered cherry blossom that adorned one of the ends, "And since you can't beat me yet, I get to wear it!" she exclaimed with a triumphant grin. "Shouldn't you be at the hospital?" she questioned after a moment of silence.

"Shouldn't you be at the front gates?" retorted her eldest daughter, "to answer your question, I just came home to tell you good luck."

Momiji nodded and secured her mask, "I'll see to it nothing happens to him."

Sakura smiled as she thought about the secret Zaiaku had revealed the night before, she blushed as she remembered herself grabbing his hand, "I think it'll be the opposite, Kaa-san."

-End Flashback-

She felt a large hand on her shoulder, "You ok, Momiji?" whispered Shinto. She nodded in response, "Alright!" barked the large man to the other ANBU members, "you heard the man, this is a vital mission, do NOT fuck up!" Then he turned to Zaiaku, "your lead sir."

The ice nin turned to Naruto, "We'll scout about five clicks ahead of you." He surprised the ANBU members by making the hand signal to move, "let's go." In a flash he was gone, the stunned ANBU members in tow.

"Well," whispered Naruto with a raised brow, "he's fallen into that position quickly."

Gaara let out a chuckle, "He's not the only one," he replied, "it seems the old blood is beginning to flow, through all of us." He turned to Neji, Shino, and Yumi, "No uneccessary risks, we only accepted this mission because we are confident that we can all come out safely." His three teammates nodded in confirmation

"That's enough time," interjected Shikato, "we should move, Naruto-kun."

The blonde nodded, "Yeah, let's go." An hour later the three teams were clearing land at a blinding pace, 'so far so good,' thought Naruto as his enhanced sight, smell, and hearing enveloped the area. Reaching up to his ear he clicked on his ear piece, "how's it looking up there, Frosty?"

Several snickers were heard over the head sets, "All clear so far," he replied while frowning, "we're only about two kilometers from the objective, we're going to speed up and check the area."

"Do not be careless," interupted Gaara, "we are right behind you."

With a nod and a hand signal he vanished from sight, "He has GOT to slow down," grunted Shinto, "he's too fast for his own good." With several groans of protest the ANBU teams increased their speed. Landing on the ground they noticed a large white wolf crouched next to Zaiaku, the disturbing thing was that he was focused on the pass and his sheathed sword was clutched in his left hand prepared for a fight, "Capt-"

Shinto was cut off by Momiji placing a hand over his mouth and pointing to three blurs sprinting through the ravine, "They're already here," she whispered.

End Chapter

Read and Review - I would like say that it is my extreme displeasure to be notifying my avid readers of this. Etched in stone is going to be deleted, after an enormous amount of pondering and reviews, I've compiled a list of plot holes that could make the grande canyon look like a ditch. Sins of the Past will continue to completion and I will be writing another story, (With the same pairings!) but the OC will be changed. I feel that there are one too many "There's one last Uchiha!" stories. No knock against them, but if you can't tell from this story, I like originality. Anyway I hope you guys liked this chapter, I should have another up either tonight or tomorrow morning.

Preview Chapter 28: Bitter Sweet Reunion