Sorry for the long delay. Not much to say here except please enjoy.

-Chapter 35-

Naruto was sitting at the head of the table in the war room, "That's the plan," he paused and looked over his shinobi, "any questions?"

"When do we leave?" questioned Zaiaku with a sombre expression

"One week," replied the Namikage, "We'll reach Konoha at nightfall and attempt to take Danzou and the Akatsuki apart, bit by bit. An all out battle is what we want to avoid."

Shikamaru sighed, "It's not likely that we'll be able to avoid conflict entirely though, just remember what your orders are if you come into direct conflict with an Akatsuki member."

Ken nodded, "Let the team leader deal with them and assist only when it's possible."

Naruto sighed and removed his hat. With a grunt he propped his head up on his hand, "Gaara, Zaiaku, Zabuza, Kakashi, Gai, and myself are likely the only people here that can handle a one on one battle with these men. Akatsuki members range from S-rank to Kage level, there is no shame in running if you out classed." He stood ubruptly and began walking out of the room, "Get your things in order, some of us will not be returning."

"Where are you going?" questioned Gaara, though his eyes were closed

The blonde frowned slightly, "To make a deal with devils." Without another word he stepped out of the room and began his walk down the quiet corridors leading out of the building. He smiled slightly as he stepped out of the building, his village was truely amazing. It reminded him of a manga he read once, with tall buildings of metal, the only thing he was missing were hulking robots with people inside.

"Ohayo Namikage-sama!" exclaimed a little girl that was walking alongside her mother, most likely heading to the recently opened academy. Naruto smiled widely and gave her a wave.

Kyuubi frowned, 'What's bothering you?'

'I just hope this is the right thing to do,' replied the vessel

'There are two kinds of people,' replied the fox, 'the victims and the ones who cast the stones.'

Naruto nodded in agreement as he approached the sealed off sector of the village, the giant steal doors seperated the prison from the populace. Consiquently they were also water tight, if an outbreak happened the sector could be flooded, ending said outbreak. Naruto made several hand seals then pressed his open palm to the door, a loud clicking was heard, followed by a bang then the door swung open. He gave a slight nod to the two ANBU guards that were currently awaiting his arrival, "Let's get this over with."

"Hai, Namikage-sama," they chorused

After entering the solid steel structure that was the Namigakure prison, they proceeded through the winding passage ways till they reached a row of dark and ominous cells. A sickly sweet voice came from the back of the furthest cage, "Hello, Naruto-kun, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

Naruto brought himself to his full height and glared, "Why did you come here? Not only revealing yourself, but placing yourselves in line to be killed for learning our villages location."

"Everyone needs shelter from a raging storm," replied the Snake sannin

"Understood. If that is the case then I have an arrangement," stated the blonde as his eyes located the snake sannin. Then he turned to the next cell and found two red eyes glaring at him, "It will be mutually benificial for both of us."

Orochimaru stepped into the light, his sinister smile still gracing his face, "We're listening."

The Namikage nodded and continued, "You want to kill your brother," he gestured to Sasuke. "And you want to see Konoha in flames, correct?" the sannin nodded, "And I want to stack the deck against Akatsuki and Danzou as much as possible."

"You'll let me out so I can kill my brother?" questioned Sasuke as he obtained a maniacal gleam in his eye. The cursed seal obviously eating away at his sanity, "I'll do it!"

Orochimaru tsk'ed, "Patience Sasuke-kun," he turned to Naruto, "now what do we get in return for our assistance? A place in the village? Maybe some monitary reward?"

"Freedom," interupted the Namikage, "we'll let you go if you help to bring down Konoha."

The snake sannin smirked, "I know you're lying, why would you let two potential threats free after knowing the hidden location of your village?"

Naruto turned to his two ANBU and they began down the long hallway, before they exited he looked over his shoulder, "Think about it, your options are to rot in here with those chakra seals perminantly in place, or fufill your utmost desires. Your call."

Orochimaru licked his lips and grinned, "What to do, what to do?" he chanted and slithered back into the shadows of his room.

Meanwhile, Ken and Zaiaku were clashing practice swords, "You're getting better, Ken, much better." The ice-nin shouldered his bokken and gave an appraising look at the older man. Ken was tall and had a solid build, a mop of flaming orange hair adorned his head, and his eyes were a stunning grey. His weapon of choice were two chinese style war swords, despite his build and raw strength, he relied on a flowing style of swordsmanship. Both men sat down on the stone steps that lead into the training yard, "You're going to be my second in command," stated the white-haired teen as he draped his towel over his shoulders.

"Hai, Zaiaku-sensei," replied the older man. He frowned when Zaiaku let out a sigh, "something bothering you?"

The ice-nin nodded, "First, I'm not your sensei anymore, the remainder of you teaching will be done by your swords. Secondly." He shifted slightly and leaned back against the banister, "you're very strong, but this is going to be a massive battle. You could die in one fell swoop."

Ken smirked, "is this the sensitive side of Zaiaku-sama, that we've heard so many rumors about?" He recieved a bokken to the back of the head, "So violent."

"You shouldn't beat your strongest subordinate a week before a battle, Zaiaku-kun," chided a voice from the shadows

Zaiaku smiled softly, "He's got a harder head than Naruto-"

The remainder of his jibe was cut off when Ken gasped, "I thought it was a rumor! You CAN be pleasant!" He let out a dramatic sob, "My reality is being shattered! Black is white, up is down! I don't know who I am anymore!" Ken smirked when a giggling figure stepped out of the darkness, he stood quickly and offered his hand, "Nenshou Ken, pleased to meet you.."

"Haruno Momiji," answered the brunette woman as she took his hand. After releasing it she turned to Zaiaku, "I didn't mean to interupt, but I was wondering if I could have a moment?"

"Ken was just leaving," replied Zaiaku.

"I see when I'm not wanted," replied the man as he held up his hands in defeat. "Again, it was a pleasure to meet you Haruno-san, though I wouldn't mind this occuring many more times," he smirked when she looked away with a slight tinge of pink to her cheeks. He then silently made his way to the bath house.

"An interesting character," stated the woman as she composed herself and sat next to her daughter's lover

Zaiaku grinned like a cheshire cat, "He's a good man, though I've never seen him flirt before. He's very good."

Momiji nodded before she knew what was going on, "yes he..." she cut herself off and cleared her throat. "That is not what I came here to discuss with you," she noted the fear in Zaiaku's face, "it's not about THAT either. I'm not ignorant, nor am I a prude, just keep the details to yourself." Her left hand went to her waist holster and removed an old looking scroll, "Can you make me a promise?" the ice-nin nodded, and she handed over the parchment, "thank you."

Zaiaku unrolled it and gasped, "But this is..."

"Please?" pleaded the woman, "I know you love my daughter's, both of them, and I know you'll do anything to protect them." She folded her hands in her lap and looked down, "That should be enough for any mother, but I've always been a selfish woman. I won't be around forever and honestly I'm weary of being a clan head. So...would you?"

The ice-nin looked at her for a moment and sighed, such a strong and beautiful woman shouldn't be so submissive. He moved in front of her and kneeled, bowing deeply, "It will be my greatest honor, Haruno-sama."

Momiji choked back a sob and embraced him, throwing her arms around his neck, and nearly toppling him over even in his kneeling position. "Arigato, Zaiaku-kun," she whispered, tears streaming down her face. "I'll never ask another thing from you..." she stopped when he abuptly pulled back and scowled. She thought that perhaps she had gone too far.

"Never hesitate to ask me for anything," he gave a cheesy grin, "I care about you too, and I will protect you."

The woman was wide eyed as she gazed at the white haired young man

-Flashback-

"You almost got yourself killed!" shouted a jounin as he kneeled down to tend to his wounded teammate, "for what!"

a young Momiji was blushing and looking at the ground, as a bandage was being wrapped around an open wound, "I like you very much Shiro-kun, and I would do anything to keep you safe."

"I don't ever want you to put yourself in danger for me Momoji-chan," chided one Haruno Shiro. Then he smiled at her, "but I care about you too, and I will protect you."

-End Flashback-

She flung herself at him again, this time burying her head in his chest and wrapping her arms around his torso, "Mo-Momiji-san?" he stammered while turning a bright shade of red.

"Please," she begged in a bare whisper as more tears came, "let me stay like this, just for a moment?"

Zaiaku smiled softly and brought his arms around her shoulders, pulling her tightly to him, "Hai."

Later that night Gaara was packing his clothing for a trip to Suna, "I will not be long, and hopefully I will be able to meet you with reinforcements." He slung his black bag over his shoulder and gave a nod to Naruto, "I had no idea our journey would come to this point."

"I know," replied the blonde as he scratched his head, "but I think things have worked out better than we could've planned, and in two weeks Akatsuki and Danzou will be a memory."

Gaara nodded, "Hopefully."

"We will win," came the soft voice of Hinata from behind the Namikage. Naruto stepped aside to let her in, "We have to."

The redhead caught Naruto's breif inclination of the head and backed out of the room, leaving the sand demon and the Hyuuga girl alone, "It is possible you will have to face your father or your uncle."

She nodded somberly, "I know," then her eyes narrowed and she stood up straight, "but we will still win, and I will do whatever is neccessary to protect you and our village." Her stance softened when Gaara wrapped her up in his arms, "I love you, Gaara-kun."

He let out a shuddering breath, "I love you, Hinata." He held her at arms length and smiled, "Pack your things, you will be part of my escort." Another chuckle escaped him when she flung her arms around his neck and planted a firm kiss on his lips. Before the petting could be started a very reluctant Gaara broke the kiss and gave a smirk, "We have to depart soon, there will be time enough for this later."

Hinata pouted slightly but gave a mischevious grin, "I will be your escort?" she questioned. Gaara nodded, not knowing where her questioning was taking the conversation, "Your...personal...escort?" she articulated slowly. The Tanuki vessel blushed crimson at her implication and nodded again, he recieved a quick peck, "excellent."

Naruto let out a barking laugh when he got out of earshot of the house, "Would you like to inform me as to what is so hilarious?" questioned Temari as she hooked her arm with his.

"Temari-chan? Where did you come from?" questioned the Namikage in surprise

The wind user shrugged and gave disapproving look, "You're not a very good Kage if you let little girls sneak up on you."

Naruto grunted in response, "If these so called 'little girls' all look like you, please inform them that I would like to be ambushed twice daily."

"I'll have the Namikage-fanclub post a public announcement," replied the Kunoichi with a glare. She moved closer to him as they continued to walk, wrapping both her arms around his bicep, "Are you sure you want to do this? I mean didn't you want to be Hokage of Konoha one day?"

"I am a kage," he replied without looking at her, "and this is my home now."

She nodded, "but shouldn't you stay here and protect the village?"

"Zaiaku is leaving his team, minus Ken, and those guys are monsters," he replied with a raised brow, "plus there will many ANBU, I won't send my shinobi off to fight a war without leading them." He stopped abruptly, causing her to come to a jerky halt and let out a squeak as she was pulled to his solid form, "Why are you trying to get me to stay here? It's not irrational fear, because you aren't afraid of anything."

"I'm afraid of losing you," she replied and nuzzled into his robes, "but no that's not the reason." She leaned back and grinned up at him, "I'll tell you when you get back, ok?"

He gave a nod, and instead shifted the conversation, "Ne, Temari-chan?" The former sand kunoichi looked up at him with a curious gaze, "After you tell me whatever it is when I get back. Marry me?"

This time it was Temari that halted their forward progress, "W-what?"

Naruto flashed a sheepish grin, "Marry me?" he murmured. Everyone that was still out turned to see their village leader looking meek as a child, and his girlfriend nearing tears. "Well?" he questioned as sweat began to bead up on his forehead.

Temari managed a half nod before her lover was swinging her around by the waist, while cheering and applause errupted from the citizens of Namigakure. "I love you Temari-chan," he whispered into her hair as he pulled her close, "are you happy?"

Tears streamed down her face as she nodded into his white and black robes, "very much."

-In Konoha-

Danzou leaned back in the chair of the Hokage as he gazed at his two guests. The first was a medium built man with spikey grey hair, his other features were hidden by his large black cloak, embroidered with red clouds. The leader of the criminal organisation, Akatsuki, if he had a name he had not given it. The second man had frosty white hair, tinged with lavender and pulled back into a high pony-tail. A white hat adorned with a glacier blue "Ice" kanji was nestled atop his head, while his robes hung loosely over his body. He was the Hyoukage of the snow country, Rouga Nadare. "I can't begin to show my appreciation in these matters."

"Just remember our deal Danzou," came the sharp voice of the Akatsuki leader, "betray us and we will leave nothing to fill a grave."

Nadare let out a barking laugh, "I concur, I'm merely here because you assured me that they would attack to free the old fools..." he paused and licked his lips, "I am most anxious to get my 'son' back."

"We shall respond to any attack with an overwhelming force of shinobi," stated the Hokage, "crush them under the iron fist of Konoha."

-Namigakure one week later-

Zaiaku flopped uncerimoniously on the plush couch in Naruto's office, "Long day tomorrow," he stated while he draped his arm across his forehead, letting the other rest on the floor. A sudden thud resounded through the quiet room, causing the ice-nin to turn his head and snort. The shodaime Namikage had dropped his cranium down on the hardwood of his desk.

"Just make sure you don't die," replied the kage as he lifted his head, ink smudged across it, "all this is going to be kinda pointless if anyone of us dies." The nearly eighteen year old blonde scooted his chair back and kicked off the floor, causing the black leather chair to begin spinning, "I asked Temari to marry me."

Zaiaku cocked an eyebrow, "according to Sakura-hime, you more told her and she just agreed." Readjusting his position on the couch, he closed his eyes, "Honestly, the village leader forcing himself on poor defenseless women. Shameful."

The blonde glared, "Whatever. Hey, do you have any idea what this big secret of Temari's is?"

Meanwhile in the residential section of Namigakure, the former demon of the mist was sleeping lightly. His head in the lap of his purple haired lover's, while she absentmindedly played with his spikey locks. Anko smiled down at his relaxed face, "Zabuza-kun?"

"Hmm?" he replied and cracked an eye open.

An uncharacteristic blush crept up the kunoichi's face, "How do you feel about me?" She paused and gulped, "I mean, am I just a place to come to for comfort and...other things...or?"

"Do I love you?" he supplied, now fully awake, she nodded. Sitting up he cast a gaze out his window as a brightly colored fish swam by, "When I was still a missing nin I traveled with someone. He was...very important to me."

Anko nodded, "He was..."

"Honestly, I don't know. We traveled together and grew aclimated to our contrasting personalities...it was...comfortable," he sighed, "what underlying feelings were felt were confounding to me and probably very confusing for him." In several swift movements he was seated behind his kunoichi, his arms around her, pulling the woman back to his chest, "losing him broke me...losing you would kill me." Anko's heart fluttered in her chest at hearing his words, prepared to show her feelings, she wasn't displeased with his next question, "Stay with me tonight."

"Of course," whispered the woman as she leaned back to kiss him passionately. She only met the swordsman's finger, she pouted, while attempting to glare at said finger. Only managing a comical cross-eyed gaze.

"To sleep," added the shinobi, with a chuckle, "let me hold you tonight. Tomorrow is tomorrow and even we can't predict it, and I've done a lot of things in my life, but one simple act has eluded me..." he pulled her down to lay next to him, his arm draping lazily over her torso, "the comfort of falling asleep...with an important person." If Anko had been a gushingly emotional woman she would have cried and fallen asleep in his loving embrace but she, being who she was, smirked like she had single handedly taken down an army of killer nins. After reveling in her moment of victory over the great demon of the mist, she nestled down into the comfortable bed, her back pressed against his chest as he held her. When she felt his breath even out, indicating his slip into the depths of his dreams, a tear slipped down her cheek. After all, ruthless kunoichi or not, she was still a woman in love.

The next morning Naruto stepped out of his house, Temari was still nestled in their bed, tears and well wishes had been done the night before. He jammed his hands into his pockets, and frowned. Something about her was different, but it bothered him to no end that he couldn't place it. It was like an odd glow, it was subtle, conveyed through soft smiles and touches. Somthing was definately different, unfortunately he had no more time to think about it as he approached his gathered task force, a group of shinobi with power to rival that of the Akatsuki. He grunted and attempted to adjust his clothing, the rope of seals around his neck was one thing, but the insistance of Neji and Tenten had him in light weight metal. his forearms and shins were covered in flat black plates, while his forehead protector was much like that of the Nidaime of Konoha's, save the emblem and color. Kubikiri Houcho was sealed into his coat, much like Shimotsuki was for Zaiaku. His engraved kunai secured in his leg holster. He smirked in triumph as Orochimaru and Sasuke were escorted to the group by two ANBU, "Decided to join us then?"

"My greatest desire is to destroy the leaf," stated the Snake Sannin in a moment of seriousness, "if I can do that by borrowing your forces then so be it."

Naruto then turned his blue eyes on Sasuke, "and you?"

"I have debts to be repaid," was his monotone response as he took his place in the group

"It's time to leave then," came the voice of Zaiaku from behind the Namikage. The blonde turned his head to see one of his best friends approaching, his white coat securely in place and an odd blue ribbon in his hair, tying the top portion of his hair into a loose pony tail. Under his coat he wore ANBU attire. Although his was different, upon closer inspection Naruto noticed an elegant looking embroidery of vines and cherry blossoms on the bottom right of the vest. Ken was on his right, while Momiji, and Sakura were on his left. The ice-nin's glacier blue orbs locked on to Sasuke's black ones, a nod was exchanged, and a temporary truce reached.

"Take your assigned teams," he glanced at Orochimaru and Sasuke, "Orochimaru will lead the last group, it will consist of Sasuke, Shinji, and Ako." He waited as his teams formed, hoping silently that the snake sannin and the sharingan user didn't get any funny ideas. Even though Shinji and Ako were two of his ANBU commanders, he had no desire to test their skills against a sannin and a psycho genius. He turned to Zaiaku's team, even through the vehement protests of the young man, Naruto placed his closest friends with him. Sakura, he managed by simply saying that Zaiaku needed a healer, because he couldn't regenerate in battle. Momiji, was a stretch, but easily brought onboard after she made a startling revelation to the Namikage. Ken, was the easiest, simply because he has a problem with orders and Zaiaku was the only one that could riegn him in. "We'll be meeting with Gaara on the northern border of the fire country, Zaiaku your team will be scouting."

With that the ice-nin along with Kakashi and Naruto himself began sealing and slammed their hands on the ground. Smoke errupted, then cleared, revealing: Pakkun, Rittou, and Hakumei.

Naruto sighed, this was his time to say something inspiring and Kage'ish. Nothing came to mind, he gave a defeated sigh and shrugged, "Don't die." Everyone burst out laughing, even Orochimaru couldn't stop a maniacal laugh, Sasuke smirked.

End Chapter 35

Read and Review - HAH! I bet you thought I had dropped the story! NEVER! Anyway, a little plot developement. Next chapter will be when Namigakure finally reaches Konoha.

Preview Chapter 36: Double Edged Sword