Edit 24/01/10 - Just some minor spelling correction. I'm currently trying to post a chapter once week (usually a Friday or Saturday) which should give me plenty of time to do some catch up study and other projects.

"Speaking current tense"

"Speaking past tense"

'Thinking current tense'

This is fanfic. I don't own Naruto.

Chapter 2: Time is Running Out – Part 2

Uchiha Madara was not the madman people thought him to be. Nor the delusional immortal with dreams of trapping the world in a genjutsu of his creation, not that it stopped him from trying it.

No, he was a simple man, with thoughts of family and making a better future in his mind. Then the world had assaulted him with troubles, then problems, then disasters. Each he handled, though each had changed him, scarred him. Now he stood over Namikaze Naruto, the Jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi, and each scar felt like a trophy. His plan was close to completion, and once he enacted it, the world would be remade in his vision. A vision of peace with him as its caretaker.

Everybody would be happy. No arguments, no disputes, no wars. Everyone would be equal, everyone content. For years he had bided his time, slowly gathering strength so that when he acted he could do it swiftly. And when the time had come, he was once again stopped by unlikely odds. The man lying before him had defied the odds and delayed Madara for several years.

However, for an immortal, a delay of years felt like minutes considering the amount of waiting he had endured. Naruto's father had been much the same, however, unlike Naruto who stumbled upon his plan haphazardly, Minato had actively sought to disrupt Madara's plans. He relished the idea that his plan had killed Minato, his wife Kushina, and trapped Naruto in a pre-defined path that would lead to his death. The symmetry of it pleased him.

There were still hiccups along the way, most caused by Naruto. Sasuke though had been the hardest plan to get going. The child was stubborn, and it took many years before he could be used. Madara was almost proud of his distant relative when he killed Oorochimaru and Itachi, removing two of his biggest annoyances from his sight.

Even in his failure, Madara was pleased with what Sasuke had done for him, the latest being his fall in battle against the Namikaze, which led to his prize now lying before him. The loss of Sasuke as a pawn had briefly crossed Madara's mind, but all he could do now was die or help in a rescue attempt for Naruto. The moment he knew Sasuke was gone, Madara enacted plans in case there was a rescue attempt.

Dipping the brush back in the ink well that he held in his left hand, Madara continued to slowly draw the necessary seals on the naked body of Naruto with his right hand. He had started about half an hour ago, and expected that it would take another two hours before he was finished. He was going to use shadow clones to get it done faster, but liked the idea of taking it slow this time. After all, there was nothing to stop him now, so why shouldn't he enjoy his victory?

The doctor, Xander, had been in earlier to give Naruto his daily dose of drugs. Madara enjoyed the annoyed expression on Xander's face when he saw that his wondrous drug was doing nothing against the might of the Kyuubi, and each time after that when Madara would remind him of his drugs' weakness. Now Naruto was out for the count, and would never wake again once tomorrow was done.

Finishing a seal, Madara placed the ink well and brush down on the small table near the examination table. Regarding Naruto for a moment, Madara sighed and removed his mask. "For what it's worth boy, I'm truly sorry for what happened to you in Konoha. Your father was a brave man, smart beyond his years, and a true thorn in my side. He had to die in order for me to accomplish my goals. Your mother was not part of my plan, but I can't say I didn't relish her death. And you. I didn't believe the villagers would treat you so poorly, given what your parents sacrificed in order to save them. I was wrong. What I saw no-one else but a select few saw. You're the son of heroes, and you were treated like a villain. Now you're treated as a hero, and you'll die like a villain." Sorrow filled his voice, then Madara slowly placed the mask back on his face.

Picking up the ink well and brush, Madara continued to draw the seals on Naruto's body. "I suppose it doesn't matter now whether you're a hero though, or whether I'm sorry, because nothing is going to stop what's going to happen. So let's just make the most of this and enjoy the moment." Smiling to himself under his mask, Madara decided to play up the moment with some humour.

"So I see you're new to this area. Where did you come from?" Leaning in close to Naruto's face, Madara turned his head to the side so he could hear Naruto's response. "Mmhmm... oh really, Konoha you say. You know, I came from that area too, though it was years ago that I was there. I think some guy named Senju was in charge. Terrible fellow." A loud laugh rang out through the room, followed by some giggling as Madara placed a hand over his mask where his mouth was, the ink brush still held by it.

"Silly man was constantly having problems with sanitation. Mmm... uh-huh... really? The current Hokage has the same problems? Isn't she related to him? She is!? Well there you go. No matter how many Senju's there are, none can handle the crap of being in office!" Laughing harder this time, Madara continued to draw seals on Naruto's body, the sound of laughter resounding in the room as he prepared for the last few stages of his plan.

The current Hokage was sitting at her desk, her head in her hands which were rested on the hardwood, reviewing the day's events. It was about midday, and already she had had two meetings that left her tired and frustrated.

The first had happened just after she arrived at the office, the morning sun having just risen in the horizon. Sitting in her chair, Tsunade had begun to review the first document in the pile on her desk, when a small cough penetrated her concentration. 'Smug bastard thinks he's so witty always appearing unnoticed, only to cough lightly, announcing his presence while he reads that damn book.'

Kakashi had said what she expected him too. He had arrived back from a mission yesterday, and had no doubt heard that Hinata, Sasuke, and a team of Anbu had left two days prior. He argued with her, saying how foolish she was in roundabout terms, and that Sasuke was not to be trusted, and that it was stupid to not wait for him to come back from his mission so he could help.

'After all this time the man still sees them as little kids that need protecting, rather than adults who occasionally need guidance.' Taking his mothering and insults no longer, Tsunade berated him. He was an idiot. He had no right questioning her authority. He had no faith in his charges. By the end of her sharp retort, Tsunade watched one of the most feared men in the world deflated, his confidence and argument gone.

She explained the plan, the arguments, everything that happened that she was willing to share, hoping to alleviate some of his concerns. If not for the fact he reminded her of Jiraiya at that moment, she probably would have told him to get lost. Watching him, Tsunade saw Kakashi sift through the events, working out a plan of his own.

He requested four Anbu teams. She told him no. There were simply too many missions on at the moment and not enough ninjas. So she gave him one team of Anbu. His mission was to backup Hinata's team and help in the rescue of Naruto. The pleased look in his eye told her all she needed to know. He was grateful.

'If that idiot dies, he better not come back as a ghost to haunt me or I'll kill him again myself.' Sighing heavily, the other problem nagging at her let itself be known.

Hyuuga Hisashi had come to her not an hour ago, his rage clear in his stance and face. What really gave away the feeling he was pissed was the way he announced himself. Tsunade had been going over the last of her paperwork for the morning when she felt a tremor in the tower. Following that were angry voices, one louder than the rest, and more impacts, then everything went quiet.

An Anbu appeared in front of her desk and informed her of what was happening. Hisashi was in the tower and was currently trying to get into her office to see her. Dismissing the Anbu with orders to let Hisashi proceed, Tsunade prepared for his arrival. She relaxed in her chair and took a sip of sake from a cup she had just placed on the table.

The footsteps started softly then became loud, and soon enough the doors exploded inwards, the hinges coming close to breaking. The contrast was interesting, to say the least, as Tsunade watched the scene in front of her, another sip of sake passing her lips. Hyuuga Hisashi stood in the doorway to her office, undisturbed in appearance at what had happened, appearing to be there on normal matters.

'He broke that illusion quickly.' Tsunade thought with grim satisfaction. He asked Tsunade to bring Hinata back. She refused. He asked her if he could send men after her. She refused. He asked her to send more Anbu to assist her so the mission could succeed. She refused again. Tsunade knew he was not happy.

He had told his daughter to not take the mission, and Hinata had simply told him she had to. He listed various reasons why she should let someone else rescue Naruto. She had argued against it and won. No matter how much he loved his daughter, how much he sought to protect her, he couldn't this time, and it hurt him because he knew it was suicide. She loved Naruto too much to leave him, and he knew he couldn't stop her.

He acquiesced in his demands. Slowly he left the office, and Tsuande was alone again with her paperwork. She had feared many things in her reign as Hokage, but never had she imagined this happening. Uchiha Madara now had all the pieces he needed to complete his master plan that he had explained years earlier. And with all the nations again against each other again instead of standing united against him, Madara was unhindered.

"I guess some things I can't even help with." Swivelling in her chair, she faced the massive window behind her and looked out over her village. "Shizune, I need you in here." Tsunade yelled.

Coming in through the still open doors, Shizune approached the desk. "What do you need Tsunade-sama?" Still facing the window, Tsunade contemplated her actions one more time, and then turned around to face Shizune.

"I want all active ninja in the village in my office in an hour. I also want one of the Nara's here. Shikaku or Shikamaru, I don't care which one." Letting out a slow breath, Tsunade looked at her assistant and close friend of many years. "Also send a message to Suna to inform Gaara of our plans. It seems Shizune, that we must prepare for war."

Not sure about posting this chapter, but had to as I wanted to show both these characters, as well as show what had happened and is happening. Reviews, comments, error correction welcome. Thanks for reading.