A/N: This chapter is a little longer, I think. Once again, I'm not this far in the anime or manga, so I'm making all of this up as I go. Also kind of basing it off the game, a bit, but even then it's been a while since I've played that. At any rate, enjoy!

Disclaimer: Each OC belongs to their respective creators. I do not own Naruto, all rights belong to Masashi Kishimoto.

Chapter 23

War

A few weeks later

I stood in the kazekage's meeting room, which had been turned into a war strategy room. I'm not going to pretend like I understood any of what was going on, all I knew was that I was here to be given my assignment. I was positive Kye, Akito and I were going to put together on the front line. We just had to wait for it be official.

"Alright, Kye, Akito, Darcy, thank you for waiting," Tsunade said. We stepped forward, standing in front of all five village leaders. "The three of you have proven time and time again how valuable you are. Not only to me, but also to Gaara. You each have a certain set of skills that makes you important to different aspects of this war. Now, keep in mind, the positions I'm about to give you will be your permanent positions; however, you won't be going there right away, as we'll need you elsewhere first. Kye, I want you working with Inoichi and Shikaku as part of the recon team."

"Yes, ma'am," Kye said. It was then that I, and I assumed Kye and Akito, realized we wouldn't be teamed together.

"Akito, I'm not sure which team I'll have you paired with just yet, but I know you'll be on the front lines. You will be reporting to the Raikage," Tsunade said.

"Yes, ma'am," Akito repeated.

"Darcy, you're not going to like this," Tsunade said. "I want you in the medical tent."

"With all due respect, Lady Tsunade, don't you think my skills will better be used with my team?"

"Normally, yes, but this isn't a normal situation, I need you in the medical tent. Sakura needs to be with Naruto, Shizune needs to be with me, and I need to be… well, basically everywhere. I need you to head the medical tent."

"Head… as in, I'm in charge?"

"Yes."

I opened my mouth then closed it, then opened it again. I wasn't quite sure how to express my surprise and disagreement politely. "I-I… Am I really the best choice, ma'am? What about Etsu?"

"Honestly, I wanted her there, but I've decided it's best she stick with Itachi," Tsunade said. "Now, that said, you won't be joining the medical team right away. Your skills are valuable, and I do want you in the battle, just—"

"Just not with my team?" I asked. "Why?"

"You're not here to question my orders." She gave me a pointed look, and I bit my lip.

"Sorry, milady," I said.

"Anyways, no, not with your team. You work well together, but this war is bigger than that. This brings me to your first assignments. You will all be working in groups of four." Just then, Hidan, Kakuzu, Deidara, Konan, Itachi and Kisame walked in, led by Etsu.

"You called for us, Lady Tsunade?" Konan asked.

"Yes, perfect timing. I will be splitting you six into groups of two, and pairing you with two ninja I can trust. Darcy, Etsu I want you two paired with Kisame and Itachi. Akito you will be with Kankuro, Hidan and Kakuzu. Kye, you will be with Temari, Konan, and Deidara. Temari and Kankuro are currently not present, but they'll meet with you at the front of the village in an hour. They've both been briefed. Is everything understood?"

"Yes, ma'am," Kye and Akito said together.

I locked eyes with Tsunade, but kept my mouth shut, still figuring out in my head how I wanted to ask my question.

"Is something not clear, Darcy?" Her tone insinuated that I better be careful how I ask my next question. I hadn't personally trained with Tsunade, so she still scared me, and I paused a moment.

"What exactly are we supposed to be doing in the four man squads? And for how long?" I asked.

Tsunade thought for a moment. "You'll be receiving individual missions for Inoichi and Shikaku, but mainly you'll all be used as small task forces to help clear out the front lines. This is also a way for us to test how much we can trust the reformed Akatsuki members. We have you guys paired with them because we think you will work well with them, but also be able to keep them in line. As for how long, that honestly depends on the state of the war. Kye and Akito, I can't say how long we'll have you there. Akito, you'll mostly likely be in this four man cell for the duration of the war, since we want you on the front line anyways. Kye, we'll probably have your team move quickly and swiftly through the front lines before we move you to the recon team. Darcy, you'll be moved to the medic tent as soon as the doctors can't handle the injured. Now is everything understood?"

Kye and Akito nodded.

"Yes ma'am," I said, after a moment.

"Good, you're all dismissed. You have an hour to get ready, then go meet up at the front gate."

We were all quick to leave and head back to our rooms to make sure everything was packed.

I was just closing up my backpack when my door opened. I knew it was Gaara, I had sensed him standing outside my room for a few minutes.

The door closed, but he stayed silent.

"Did you ask to have me stationed at the medical tent?" I asked, as I pretended to check my tool holsters. Of course, I had already checked them, and knew what I needed, but I needed to hear his answer before I turned around.

"No. Actually, I tried to argue against her, but she had some good points," he said.

I tied my holsters to my thighs and turned to face him.

"Thank you," I said. "For trying."

"Of course."

"Gaara." I paused. I wasn't sure what I wanted to say. "Everything's going to change after this, isn't it?"

"Everything always changes after war," he replied. He stepped closer, then paused.

A tension I couldn't explain floated between us. I looked down at the floor.

"Don't be afraid," he said. I felt his hand on my shoulder. Without looking up, I reached up and placed my hand on his.

"I'm not afraid." I looked up and smiled. "I need to go stock up. In case I don't see you again, be safe."

"You, too." He leaned down and kissed me. I let myself fall into the kiss for a moment before I pulled back.

"I love you."

He kissed my forehead. "I love you too."

I pulled away and walked from the room, not looking back.

As I approached the gate, I saw I was the last to arrive.

"Perfect timing, Darcy," Temari said as I approached. "We'll be traveling across the desert together, then splitting up from there. Our intel base of operations is set up in Suna. Our goal is to help make sure the front line does not break. It's safe to assume their base of operations is either in Amegakure or Kusagakure. Once we reach the edge of the desert, Darcy, you and your team will cut through the Land of Rivers and join the Konoha ninja on the front line. Akito, you and your team will continue straight. Keep hidden until Suna ninja arrive. I can't stress how important it is to stay hidden until the rest of the army arrives. Do not engage unless absolutely necessary. Kye, that leaves us. We'll have the longer route, so we'll have to move as quickly as possible. Deidara, I understand you can make giant birds to fly around on?"

"Yeah, un," Deidara said with a nod.

"Good, that'll come in handy," Temari said. She pointed on the map, "We'll be joining Iwagakure's front lines."

"What about Kirigakure and Kumogakure?" I asked.

"They're both splitting their army," Temari explained. "Half of Kiri will help Suna and the other half will help Konoha. Half of Kumo will help Iwagakure, and the other half will be attacking Kusagakure, hopefully catching them off guard. Etsu, Kankuro, you two are your team's leaders. I'll be leading my team. Does all of this make sense?"

Everyone nodded. "Good, let's move out." Temari rolled up the map and we all hurried out.

It was a two day trek across the desert, and when we finally made it, we went our separate ways with very brief goodbyes. There was no time to rest.

"We'll be reporting to Ibiki, as I understand it," Etsu said.

"Shouldn't he be working at headquarters Shikaku and everyone?" I asked.

"He's better at getting information from people, he's not really the strategy type," Etsu explained. "His skills will be more useful to us if he's leading an army. Trust me, I've worked under him before."

I nodded.

It was a long, silent trip back to the fire country. We stopped every night for four hours, giving everyone three hours of rest. The only ones lucky enough to get three straight hours were myself, who took first watch, and Etsu, who took last watch.

"Alright, you four, I hope your teamwork is on par," Ibiki said, less than two minutes after we arrived on site. "I want you guys to head to the front lines with the first wave. Only help out where you're absolutely needed. I want you moving quickly through the ranks, basically keeping an eye on everything. I know it's a lot to ask, but we wouldn't have assigned you if we didn't think you could handle it."

"We won't let you down, sir," Etsu said.

"And one more thing. Darcy, Etsu, I know you're both trained as medics, so this is also a lot to ask, but I ask you don't stop to heal people."

"But sir, what if—" Etsu started.

"If they're dying, it can't be helped. We have medics up there for a reason, that's not your guys' job right now."

"But are they medical ninja trained like us?" Etsu asked.

"No, but they know how to take care of injuries," Ibiki replied. "Again, I know it's a lot to ask, but those are your orders. We need you focusing all your energy on fighting and thinning the enemy's front lines."

"Understood, sir," Etsu said after a moment of hesitation.

"Good. Our first group is moving out in ten minutes, make sure you're ready."

"Yes, sir!"

Etsu led our group to where a large group of Konoha ninja were preparing to leave.

That's when I saw someone I recognized. "Iruka?"

"Huh? Do I know you?" Iruka looked up from his shuriken holster.

"Oh, sorry, no, I guess not," I said, and held out my hand. "My name's Darcy. Lady Tsunade brought me from… well, a different world to help out here."

"Oh, that's right, I remember Naruto talking a lot about you and your friends," he said, shaking my hand. "Where are they?"

"Needed on the other fronts."

"Well, we're glad to have your help." I noticed he was eyeing Itachi suspiciously.

"We should probably let you finish prepping," Etsu said. Iruka nodded and she led us on.

"People will come around," Etsu whispered to Itachi. "You'll see."

"I don't need them to come around," he said. "I need them to live."

"Etsu?"

We all turned to see a dark skinned woman, with mid-back length, neon green hair, and ice blue eyes. She had on blue Capri ninja pants, black ninja sandals, and an open Chunin vest revealing a tight, blue crop top, the sleeves going to her mid biceps.

"Nonoko-sensei!" Etsu cried out, clearly surprised.

"It's so good to see you, Etsu, it's been so long!" The woman—Nonoko—said, embracing Etsu. "I heard you're a jounin now, you can drop the 'sensei'."

"Old habits die hard, I suppose," Etsu said with a small laugh.

"How are you, Itachi?" She asked. Her smile looked slightly strained, but her tone was nice enough.

"I am well, thank you, Nonoko…sensei." I wasn't sure why he paused like he did, but it didn't go unnoticed.

"Be safe out there, please," Etsu said quickly.

"You, too," Nonoko said. "Both of you. All of you."

"Who was that?" I asked after we moved on.

"My old Academy teacher," Etsu said.

"And yours too, Itachi?"

"No, I had a different teacher. I was a year above Etsu, but I did know Nonoko," he replied. "She was always nice to me, she couldn't have taken my betrayal to the Leaf well."

"No, I suppose not," I mused.

"Alright everyone!" My head snapped in the direction of Ibiki's call. "This is what we've been preparing for. Move out!"

"That's our cue," Etsu said. "We'll stay in the back, and find where we're most needed."

I balled up my fists, trying to stop the shaking, as we headed off to war.

Akito's POV

It was about a day before the sand ninja arrived, being led by Baki. We had been spotted once, thanks to Hidan's big mouth, but was a small scout team of three sound ninja. We killed two and captured the third, making him write back to his general to say all was good. And when I say 'we' I mean Hidan and Kakuzu did the killing and the intimidating. I, however, got stuck on guard duty.

"How do we even know that he didn't code the message? We should move in case our location has been compromised," I whispered to Kankuro, so our prisoner couldn't hear me.

"We don't know that, but we can't move, this is where we're supposed to wait," Kankuro whispered back. "Now get back to guard duty.

"Kakuzu broke his legs and he's tied up, where's he gonna go?" I grumbled, but returned to our hostage none the less.

"You look new to all this," he said. I ignored him. "How long you been a ninja? How old are you anyways?"

"Shut up," I shot at him.

"Just saying, war isn't for kids. Maybe you should go home to your mommy."

"Shut up before I make you," I growled, flashing fangs at him.

He just laughed. "You ever killed before?"

I sighed and turned away.

"War changes people, kid. Get out while you still can."

"I told you to shut—" I was cut off by a loud thwak.

I turned around to see Hidan standing there, and our prisoner's head lolling to the side.

"What did you do? He's not—"

"He's still alive, I just knocked his head against the tree," Hidan said. "Fucking annoying bastard."

"Whatever, as long as he's still alive," I said, crossing my arms.

"They're coming!" Kankuro said. "The sand ninja. I can see Baki."

It wasn't long until the forces were hiding amongst the trees.

"Who's this?" Baki asked. "I thought you were told not to engage?"

"They engaged us, Baki," Kankuro explained. "We killed two and made him write back to tell the general everything was clear."

"So it's possible your position was compromised?" Baki looked troubled as he thought. "We'll send him back to suna with some guards. What happened to his legs?"

"Kakuzu broke them to prevent him from running," Kankuro said.

"I guess he'll be carried back to Suna, then," Baki said.

I was slightly taken aback by how calm they all were, but I knew I had to get past stuff like that. As I watched the man be carried off, I thought about what he had said. I knew he was just trying to get under my skin, but he was right, I hadn't killed before. Was I prepared for that?

I didn't have time to answer that, though. Baki was already giving the order to move out. Kankuro, Kakuzu, Hidan, and I stuck to the back, ready to be where we were most needed.

Whether I was ready or not, this was war.

Kye's POV

It didn't take nearly as long as Temari had anticipated, mostly because Deidara flew us there on his giant clay bird.

"We're reporting to a ninja by the name of Kurotsuchi, she's the tsuchikage's granddaughter," Temari explained as we approached. We had Deidara land us a few miles away so we wouldn't freak anyone out. "She's young, but I've heard she's very skilled."

We weren't really sure who we were looking for, but when we arrived at the rendezvous point, we figured it was the girl with short, black hair, barking out orders.

"Oh, good, you're here," she said when she saw us approaching. "That was quickly than expected."

"We got a lift," I said. It was meant as a joke, but everyone except Temari gave me a blank look. "Um, never mind. We're just really fast."

"Right, okay. So we'll need you backing us up, wherever possible, for as long as possible." I noticed she kept eyeing Deidara while she spoke, and I finally remembered that he was from this village.

"Was it a good idea to assign Deidara here?" I whispered to Temari.

"I'm sure the kages knew what they were doing when they sent him here," she whispered back.

"I realize you guys won't be able to be here forever, but whatever help you can offer is greatly appreciated," she continued. "I understand you're all skilled ninja. Deidara, we kindly ask that you blow up our enemies, and refrain from attempting to destroy the village. Again."

"Hehe, lucky for you I'm on your side this time, un," he said with a grin.

"Yeah, we'll see how long that lasts," Kurotsuchi replied. "At any rate, get ready, we're moving out soon."

"We'll be ready," Temari promised.

We followed Temari a spot behind the army, waiting for the order to move out.

"You seem nervous, un." I looked over at Deidara.

It was then I noticed my hands shaking. I crossed my arms to try and stop them. "It's not like I've been in a war before."

"Just try not to think too much," Deidara said. "Just do, un."

"That sounds… barbaric."

"That's war, un."

"Let's go, everyone!" Kurotsuchi called. "Time to move out and show Orochimaru and Madara who's boss!"

A/N: Well, hope you guys enjoyed! I'm gonna try and get chapters up as quickly as I can to make up for my year-ish long hiatus, but it's gonna be a bit difficult writing a war (I've actually never written wars before, not on this scale), so we'll see how I do. A side note on Nonoko, as I said, she's Etsu's Academy teacher. You can read a little more about her in my story Star Crossed, which you can find on Archive of Our Own, under my penname Etsu_Nara.