Warnings: Death, murder, and the talk of death of a child. From now on I'll try to put the warnings in, if I remember. Also, please note that most of the towns and cities I mention are made up, but I'd imagine that since the Fire Country is so large there would be cities and towns outside of Konoha. Please read and review! Thank you for your time!

Pulling Tides

Chapter Three

It takes us a week of hard running to get to the town of Nori, White clones have been spotted near the border of Fire, but not far enough within the border to be close to any towns that have inhabitants at the moment, which is good. The fifth division so far has set up a line, and has been fighting them since they crossed the border.

The rest of us are currently stationed inside and around Nori, waiting.

Nori wasn't how I remember it. It's been two weeks-and it has doubled in it's occupancy. Luckily, they had began evacuations, but with 4,000 instead of 2,000 it's still a struggle. Truth be told, I'm not quite sure how they plan on us getting everyone out on time.

Kiba, Shino, and Akamaru were used to this hard running; and a part of me was, but I don't think I expected to go back to the place that I had just left two weeks ago.

It was jarring to me, all the battlefields and the destruction we'd run through. The smell of chakra burnt flesh was becoming a normal smell to me, and the smell of copper always hung in the air.

Kiba grinned when we passed through the border, so excited to be close to home.

Shino hadn't made any real indication that he was excited, but he seemed to be more...twitchy, if you could say so.

I was high strung, I knew it. My mind hadn't stopped jumping around and I was glad that we had done so much running. I hadn't touched a soldier pill yet-but I planned on it the second I needed it.

My chakra reserves were pretty well stocked, so I didn't plan on touching one of those pills until I had too. We slept sparingly, but truth be told it was easier to sleep on the ground in a bedroll than on the cot.

But when we got to Nori it was late and evacuations had ended for the time being.

"So, where are your teammates?" Kiba asked nonchalantly.

"Sho is in the First Division. Tadashi is in the Second."

"Sho and Tadashi, huh? What are they like?" He asks.

Confused, I look at him strangely. For most of the trip, Kiba had talked continuously. But he rarely asked questions about my personal life. Mostly he left open ended conversations for me to place my own input, but I never did.

"Why?" I asked.

He shrugs.

Sighing, I look forward. "They're both intelligent, but Sho is bull-headed. Tadashi...Tadashi is he's whatever he has to be."

"That's...pretty negative." Kiba replied.

I shrugged. "We didn't always get along. Tadashi was the easiest to get along with, and Sho was pretty sociable so long as he got his way, but together they could be pretty insufferable. But, they were good teammates when it came down to the wire. They were dependable."

There's silence in the air before Kiba turns to Shino.

"Is that how you talk about me?" He asked, eyes narrowed.

Shino doesn't answer and I roll my eyes.

"They didn't appreciate that they had a civilian born Kunoichi on their team. According to them, Kunoichi were already inherently weak, so a civilian would just get in the way."

A look of realization hit Kiba.

"They thought you were weak?" Kiba asked.

I nodded.

"Che, that would piss me off." He said offhandedly.

I nodded, and turned over to Shino.

"In the morning, do we resume evacuations? There's still over two thousand left, or do we protect Nori?"

"Our orders are to evacuate but hold Nori, we protect this gate.." He says.

I can barely see his face-just a small piece poking out under his hood, high collar and sunglasses. He's tapping his knee in a rhythm, staring out towards the North, back against the gate.

It's nearly midnight and we're staying just outside of Nori, the rest of the teams are scattered amongst Nori. There's a full moon and the wind is starting to get crisper-winter is coming. Which means that it must be even worse back at camp. It snowed in Konoha-but only a bit and during harsh winters. But the air was colder than it had been for a few years, which wasn't a very good sign.

"So, in the morning we resume?" I clarified, and he nodded.

"You should sleep. I'll keep watch."

Kiba grinned and sat down next to his teammate, sharing a few words as I walked away and into the two-person tent.

"Wake me up when your watch is over." I told them both. Though, they were stuck in their own conversation.

Akamaru though, he slipped into the tent with me, curling around me and I wished that he could follow me everywhere, with his all-encasing warmth.

I closed my eyes and waited for sleep to take over.

It's the screams again-that little boy. I can smell burnt flesh all over again, the sticky burt feeling under my fingers as the boy screams over and over again until he coughs up blood, his throat is raw and broken.

I can feel his body give out energy again-and the panic that seizes in my chest as I hear another explosion behind us.

"Run! Run! Momo! Don't stop!" I can hear Tadashi screaming, Takeo-sensei was fighting something behind us.

Sho was struggling, hard, his head was bleeding and I hadn't been able to properly wrap it. The forest is burning around us-families scrambling behind us.

I don't know what's chasing us, and to be honest I don't want too.

The boy in my arms is unconcious, but I can still feel his chakra signal-it's fading. I don't really know how much longer I can take it when I see that gate-Nori.

Shinobi fly past me, my vision has been blurring from the smoke for the last half an hour. Whoever did this, they would pay.

I keep running to the medic tent. I can smell copper and vomit and shit. The entire city is screaming and there are people hurdled out on the street, desperately trying to keep warm.

There, it's covered in blood.

Someone takes the boy out of my hands, and I turn back, wanting to vomit at the screaming-all the blood, the pieces of body hanging out.

I head straight back to the battle.

And then I'm awake.

It's quiet but not quite silent.

I can hear the blood rushing to my head, and I count to ten before letting out a steady breath. I turn, and Shino's asleep, nose twitching.

He sleeps with his sunglasses on. He looks calm, though to me, Shino always does.

Akamaru isn't curled around me anymore-so I quietly shift out of the tent. Kiba's keeping watch, but he looks confused when I walk out.

"You've still got a half an hour." He says quietly.

I shook my head, and I could see my breath in the air. The air is cold and seeping into my bones. But truth be told, I would prefer this weather over camps weather.

"I'm not going to be able to sleep anymore. Might as well let you sleep." He shrugs, standing up with Akamaru following closely behind.

I sit down, and close my eyes.

Focusing on a single point, I open my subconscious and begin searching for chakra signals.

As I go through, I name each one I know, and for those I don't, I do my best to put a face to the chakra instead of a name.

It's a game that Takeo-sensei had taught us.

Sensing movement, I focus my attention to the north of us.

The fighting had stilled somewhat.

I could feel Shino's insects flutter around the field before us, a warning and a trap.

I extended my reaches further-searching for how far they were.

A beetle flew down and landed on my shoulder.

As team 51, should they get past the other teams, we were the last line of defense.

Truth be told, it seemed eerie.

The waiting game, just sitting here, waiting to, well, possibly die.

I didn't really like it.

More frequently, I was beginning to wonder if I was really built for this; built for war and for the life of a Shinobi.

Katsu had once told me when we were little that he had wanted to be a Shinobi. He made me promise that we would both become shinobi and become the strongest civilian team known to Konoha, maybe even the world.

That was the summer before Greenfield Fever swept across our village. His little body hadn't been able to sustain it.

After he died, mother and I had left to Konoha, to live in the city. There she met Masota, married him, and hat Hitomi.

Those years without a sibling had been hard.

It terrified my mother when I begged her to join the academy-Masota had convinced her that it was something that I should at least try.

I don't think either of them expected it to go so far.

I wish he was here with me-his happiness and his optimism.

I think that was partly the reason I couldn't work with Sho and Tadashi, other than the fact that they were ignorant, they weren't Katsu. Katsu was my better half-cheerful where I was quiet and reserved.

But I was glad that Katsu wasn't here. He shouldn't have to see things like this; like that little boy. Or all the pain that war brings on.

He deserved better.

Shino woke at dawn, but didn't wake Kiba.

He sat down at the fire I had kept going and didn't say anything for a while.

He looked too peaceful to bother him.

Instead, I began searching for chakra again.

The line had receded, but held. The reinforcements would be coming in two days-we were the emergency force they had sent out.

The beetle that has stayed on my shoulder flutters against my neck quickly, jumping up and crawling across my neck.

I don't move to shake it off, just look towards Shino.

"The line has held, but they've lost room. If they keep it up the way that they have, the reinforcements will be here in time. But to be honest, I don't know how they could. They'll be drained of chakra quickly, and if the size of the army is as the scouts stated, there's no way that they could." I explained.

He nods and calls for Kiba.

I pull out the rations and hand one to him, setting some aside for Kiba and Akamaru.

Kiba stumbles from the tent with Akamaru closely behind him.

They plop down between Shino and I and immediately begins eating.

I focus more on the battle north of us-eyes closed and concentrating.

The small city behind us has begun to wake, with people trickling into the streets with their belongings, leaving the town for Konoha. It would be a day and a half walk for most, though those who are injured would take longer if they didn't get an escort.

They're being evacuated in sections; which is helpful but slow. The ones closest to the gate have left first, which, if it comes down to it, makes it a bit easier to fight here.

Although I'm not quite sure how Shino, Kiba, Akamaru, and I will handle with White Zetsu clones.

I've never fought them. And to be honest, I was hoping that I could last a little bit longer with not fighting them.

"Well, at least half of Nori is vacated." Kiba says. "With the extra help they said that they should be able to get around 500 people out by nightfall, but that they were going to continue to do it all through the night. I don't know how they're going to do that though.

"Some of the teams have set up camping sites for those who really have to stop." I replied.

"When did they do that?" Kiba asked.

"They've had it."

He looked confused, but then shrugged.

"They're set up for the refugees. They set them up six months ago." I explained. "They have rations and water, and they're there for small breaks, no more than a day."

"Huh." He mumbled.

I handed him the rest of my rations and he took them, splitting it between Akamaru and himself.

I hate eating heavy meals, especially when a battle is close. Instead I generally prefer eating food that lasts and water.

Not to mention, rations suck.

Kiba begins talking, though not about anything or to anyone in particular.

I turned to Shino who didn't even react.

I turned forward and began focusing on the battle ahead of us.

The line was moving back and forth, struggling back and forth. The longest break between fights had been 5 hours.

Not quite long enough to generate enough chakra.

"Che, they're so slow." Kiba muttered.

I looked up at him. "Most of them are losing or have lost everything they've ever fought to accomplish; homes, businesses, lives. Some of them have lost families, wives, husbands, children, parents, friends. They don't want to leave behind the happiness that they've felt here."

There's a knowing and understanding silence that follows.

I don't remember the trip to Konoha, but I remember how I felt, angry that we were leaving Katsu behind, even if it was to his grave, and sadness that my home was now lost.

I remember my mother's face, though. The all-consuming pain.

"The guy that burned that kid. Did you kill him?" He asked suddenly.

I paused for a second, slightly surprised at the question.

"No. My sensei did."

Kiba looks down at me in a sense of wonder. "You're so young. You've never killed anyone, have you?" My eyes narrowed.

"I didn't kill that man. I never said I haven't killed anyone. This is war, Kiba. It doesn't discriminate based on age or profession. Everyone is affected. Perhaps some more than others, but everyone is affected. Whether it's by being forced to take lives or watch them be taken, or both. None of us is safe, or innocent." I chose my words carefully, not wanting to be angry, because I wasn't. At least, I wasn't angry at him. I was angry at Sasuke Uchiha. Angry at the Akatsuki, the White Zetsu, and the men and women that prey on the harsh condition that war creates. Angry at those who prey on the weak.

He nodded. "You're still too young." He says quietly, almost to himself.

I looked forward, focusing on the forest around us.

This war was becoming overwhelming, surrounding itself in everything, stealing the air from my body.

I closed my eyes again and I counted the chakra signals that left the village, trickling in and out.

It was past noon when I felt it.

An enemy coming from the west, sweeping through fast and hard.

Shooting up, Kiba leaped back and away-shocked.

"Enemy, West, ten klicks."

Kiba and Akamaru growled, and Shino stood, and I looked at them.

Our orders were to man the gate.

"How strong is the chakra signal?" He asks.

Focusing, I silently slipped back to focus on the chakra signal.

"It's...strong. Whoever it is, they're healthy. But it's not overwhelmingly strong. So they're limited in a sense. And it's alone. I don't sense anyone else with them."

"I'll go-" Kiba interrupts, but is stopped by Shino.

"We need it ended quick. Momo, you use genjutsu? Find out what they want and finish it."

Takeo-sensei had once told me that the most important thing I had on my side was my looks.

I was small, young looking, and unimposing. I could use that. I would be underestimated. He told me that they would see my brown eyes and laugh at the possibility I could kill them without even touching them. He told me that my blonde hair and sweet smile would make them manipulatable. He told me that I would have more control of a situation than I thought I would.

The chakra signal belonged to a Ito, Ryuu.

He was a bastard who preyed on those who couldn't fight back. He'd blow through towns, taking from the weak. He's escaped imprisonment multiple times since the war started. He's been involved in multiple raids and has killed anyone who gets in his way.

Until Shinobi are involved.

Then he runs like the coward he is.

He had been there that night, the night that the village had burned down. He had been raiding with that group.

He nearly maimed Sho.

And he got out of there too fast for us to have dealt with him.

Those had been our orders.

Placing myself in front of him, he stops.

His eyes are the color of Kunai, like cold steel. Scars are muddled all over his face. He's covered in blood.

"Ryuu Ito. I didn't think I'd see you again like this." I spoke openly.

"Che, you're that Kunoichi that took Misaki down, aren'tya?"

I nod easily.

"Did you find another crew to raid with? Or are you running with your tail between your legs again from another fight?" I mocked. "Again, might I add."

He snarled. "I'll have to kill you, won't I? Che, you are so annoying. But just wait, more of those clone freaks are coming, down the mountains. Maybe I'll let you live so you can tell your friends. Or maybe I'll play with you first, then leave you to those freaks. Tell me little girl, are you a virgin? God I'd love to get between those thighs of yo-"

In seconds, I was behind him, tanto in hand, imbedded in his back-he falls to the ground lifeless. There's blood pouring from him as I pull the blade from his back and heart. Stepping away from the pooling blood I sigh.

"Thank you for your cooperation and information, Ito."

I can feel them coming, I don't know why I didn't sense it earlier. It's foolish that I didn't sense it earlier.

I pull out my summons immediately, calling for two summons.

The wolves appear, growling. One is a solid black, with vibrant hazel eyes. The other is brown and grey colored, with black eyes.

"What do you want, Kunoichi?" They speak together, obviously unhappy to have been called forth.

"One of you go to the front lines, tell them that more of the White clones are coming from the Western Mountains, it's about the same size of army as we're fighting now. They'll have half-a-day until they get ten klicks from Nori. The second one is to go past the front lines, slightly east to Mifune, his camp is marked as the Fifth Division, Samurai will be there. Tell him the same. Tell them that Momo Kaga of team 51 sent you. Then report back as needed."

They both growled, but lept off into the same direction.

I turned back to camp, running hard to get back as fast as possible.

When I do get there, Kiba is practically radiating with energy, and Shino looks still.

"We have a problem." I say immediately.

"What? Did he get away?"

"No, he was easy to dispatch. The problem is the White clones coming from the mountains to the West of us. I've already sent out word to the front lines and to Mifune-sama. We have about a half a day."

"Son-of-a-bitch!" Kiba yells, agitated and frustrated. I don't really blame him-none of our scouts had mentioned anything like the army that was coming from the west.

I looked at Shino. "They need to evacuate faster. And we need a larger army here. We will be decimated if we don't get them out of here in time." He nods.

"Kiba, go tell the others to quicken things up."

Shino's kikai are suddenly swarming around him, and darting off into every which direction.

One places itself on my shoulder, crawling just above my collar.

I swallow hard.

I don't think we're going to be getting out of this one like I did last time.

Suddenly I can hear the screams all over again, the flames licking my skin.

I can smell ash and burnt skin.

"Are you alright?" Shino asks, watching me hard.

I looked at him-wondering what he'd say if I told him the truth; that I was terrified. That I wasn't ready for this and I sure as hell hadn't been ready for Sho to nearly die on me, no matter how much we fought. I wondered what he would say when I told him that I cried over and over the nights following those until I had reached camp, mainly because I couldn't get the energy to cry again.

Shino is looking hard at me, partially looking like he desperately wants out of the conversation that he had accidently started and the other half too polite to do so.

I looked forward, squaring my jaw.

"I'm fine."