A/N: Look at this! A new chapie and you didn't even have to wait a whole month! Wahoo! So anyways, glad to see you guys enjoyed the last one so much. You really enjoyed the NaruHina moment didn't you? So did I. Everyone keeps telling me how they love Sai in this story, how he's hilarious and serious at the same time. I have to admit, he's one of my favorite characters to write. He's just so much fun when he misreads a situation. I'm glad to see you guys supporting this story so much, you guys really do make it worth writing. I can only hope that I can continue to feed you a great story and continue to blow your mind. Speaking of blowing your minds….

Gotta twist for ya guys in this chapter, and I know you won't see it coming. I'm so looking forward to the reviews to see what your responses are to it. Shit is getting' serious real quick! But first, wanna give a few quick shout outs.

Keia: If you're reading this I'll let you know that your review honestly made me blush. I pride myself as a guy that does not get flustered and has no shame but your review made my cheeks heat up like a Fourth of July summer sun! Thanks!

Serious Sam: Thanks, I'll admit that it can be difficult to write a character that's supposed to have zero emotion. As for the Shika/Tem moment, I thought it would be funny and surprising to suddenly switch the roles. As for when Naruto says the words…I think we can all guess when it's going to happen. Gotta be romantic and all. The commander wasn't kidding when he said it was going to be a tall order, I'm so excited to right that chain of scenes.

cook563: Those were my thoughts exactly when it came to Naras lol. As for why Samui like Sai…well it's just one of those things where everything Sai does Samui misinterprets what he means lol.

ZodiacBirdy: YES! I'm so glad somebody caught that reference! I love that series and it just felt so perfect to fit it in there somewhere. There may be more in the future so keep a look out.

Hektols: Glad you are enjoying the fic. Trust me, there will be a talk between Hiashi and Naruto when he arrives to pick her up lol.

I received a question asking how much longer I thought this story would last. To be honest, I'm thinking we are just about to the halfway point. Once the festival takes place will probably mark the halfway point so all in all maybe a little more than fifty chapters in this story. Okay, now with all that out of the way, On With The Story!

Last Time: Naruto and the rest participating in Operation: Spring Cleaning went over the final details for the mission. With nothing left to do but train and prepare for the rapidly arriving date, the four boys headed out for an afternoon lunch. After arriving at Ichiraku's Naruto receives a message from Tsunade requiring Shikamaru and Sai to escort Temari and Samui during their stay in Konoha as well as to the festival. This causes immediate problems for the entire team, with added variables that they didn't account for. Naruto leaves Shikamaru to his own device and heads to the Hyuuga's secret training ground where Hiashi is training his children in the Hollow Fist. After getting Hinata alone, Naruto manages to ask Hinata on a date to the festival to which the heiress calmly accepts before fainting. At the same time Shikamaru asks Temari to the festival, which completely catches her by surprise. After the two men are done, the entire team receives and urgent message to return to base.

Chapter 26: The Depth of Corruption

Madara was in his study overlooking a map when Zetsu appeared behind him. The plant man did not speak, as he could tell that the masked man was not in the best of moods. The reason for this stemmed from the conversation he had had earlier with their newest recruit to the cause –Yakushi Kabuto.

When the snake had come slithering to him in the beginning he had practically demanded that he be accepted into the masked man's ranks. Madara was skeptical at first and humored the man, but he quickly realized how great of an asset he could be. But there was a catch. There was always a catch and Madara had voiced this. Kabuto had simply laughed at him but admitted there wasn't. He just simply wanted to watch as the world burned to the ground. Madara was sure there was an ulterior motive, but for the time being he accepted it. But now. Now things were starting to get a little out of hand.

Kabuto had come to Madara and demanded that he receive Sasuke's body in return for his services. While the he could care less about what happened to his younger clansman, Madara still felt bad about agreeing to the deal. Who knew what the disgusting freak had planned for him. Still, Madara didn't like having Kabuto able to so freely make demands. He was a loose cannon. An extreme variable. A very, very loose end.

"Zetsu…" Madara whispered with barely restrained rage. "It would be in your best interest if you had good news for me."

Zetsu hesitated. "Unfortunately, I don't." The plant man was met with a growl but remained calm. "It seems the situation with the Hyuuga has escalated."

"Explain." The masked man commanded.

"It would appear that the Hokage has been notified of what's happening in the clan. However, she has yet to make a move to stop it. I think she has someone else looking in to it."

"Do you have any idea who?" At this question, Zetsu did hesitate. "Zetsu!"

"I…think the matter has been left to Uzumaki Naruto. But I think that he also may be getting help from the two elderly Uzumakis. It's hard to prove, since they seem to have absolutely no contact with him other than in public."

"Zetsu." Madara said turning around. "You keep using the word 'think'. For being the ultimate spy master there sure is a lot you aren't certain about."

"They're up to something, that's for certain." Zetsu admitted. "But throughout the day Naruto will quite literally drop off the face of the earth. His chakra signature disappears completely and then will quite suddenly reappear a few hours later."

"Perhaps he's visiting the toads?" Madara offered.

"It's possible." Zetsu said. "It would allow him to prepare a counter for us since I have no way of following him to Mt. Myoboku. However, he could also be going there to train. We have no way of knowing. At the same time, Hiashi has been training his children in an ancient clan style not even I knew existed. He is…doing well to prepare them."

Madara slammed his fist down on the table causing it to splinter under the force. This whole ordeal was becoming too much of a hassle. Too many variables and not enough intel. These damn Uzumakis were such a pain in the ass! It was time he took things into his own hands. He was done playing the politic.

"Zetsu," The masked man said turning to look at his counterpart. "Initiate Option Beta."

"Done pussyfooting around huh? Very well, I'll relay the message."

As Zetsu left to inform the others of the plan, Madara's single crimson eye burned in the dark. He wouldn't lose now. Not when he was so close to his goal. Not when he was so close to perfection.

Naruto was already at the base when the others arrived. Walking in, they looked at their blonde haired commander who was leaning up against the wall with his arms crossed. He returned their look but simply shook his head.

"Wasn't me."

"Then who was it?" Shikamaru asked.

"It was Jiji, I guess he's got something for us." Naruto replied.

"Oh how right you are Naruto-kun." Jihibiki replied as his small form appeared in a doorway.

The small man strode into the mission chamber and motioned for them to gather around the table. When they had all gathered around Jihibiki looked at them and smiled.

"I have something for you youngsters," Jihibiki said as he laid an ancient looking scroll on the table. "But first you have to answer a riddle."

Naruto, Shikamaru, Sai, and Shino all looked at each other before looking at the old Uzumaki.

"Bring it on Jiji." Naruto said with a smirk.

Jihibiki just smiled and unrolled the scroll. "What is one trait that all children share with men?"

The four men looked at each other in confusion before coming to collective silence.

"Uhh…" Naruto started.

"They all like to play with new toys!" Jihibiki shouted jubilantly as a burst of smoke poured from the scroll.

When the smoke cleared an old ornate wooden box sat on the table about a meter long and a foot wide. The darkened aged wood looked to be made of yew with golden symbols painted along the edges and sides. The boys looked at the box in confusion not understanding what it was. A gasp from the commander, however, implied that it was obviously something worthwhile.

"W-Where did you find this?!" The commander asked as he approached the box and reverently slid a hand across the top. "It was supposed to have been lost."

"It was lost." Jihibiki answered. "Lost in the Konohagakure vault."

The commander looked at Jihibiki in shock. Or at least, what everyone expected would be shock underneath his mask. "They've been right under our noses this entire time?

Jihibiki nodded with a smirk. The two were pulled from their discussion though by a cough from Naruto.

"If you're done with the vague conversation," he said motioning his hand to him and the others, "we'd like to know what the hell that is."

"Of course Naruto-kun." Jihibiki said smiling. "However…" He turned to look at the Anbu next to him. "I believe the commander would like to tell this story?"

The commander nodded his head and turned to the others. "Gentlemen," he started, "what can you tell me about the Night Angels?"

Sakura held her breath as she watched the seconds count down on her alarm clock. With ten seconds left till the appointed time she crossed her room and entered the bathroom. Closing the door and locking it behind her she then turned the shower on.

This was the only place she had privacy in the entire hideout. She had asked Sasuke to get the message across to Zetsu that she wanted some dignity at least when she used the bathroom and shower. She was shocked when she learned that the man had clones all throughout the base capable of appearing through any surface. It made her feel uneasy and had resulted in lack of sleep for her during the first few nights of her stay. But she absolutely refused to have the plant man spying on her during her personal time.

The first few times Sakura had simply smashed the clones into oblivion. Afterwards she demanded Madara to back off and give her at least some privacy. The man had simply snorted at her and sent her away. So, desperate for some kind of solution, she went to Sasuke.

Or rather, she made him come to her.

He had been passing by her room when he heard her crying. Normally he wouldn't have cared, but after the time they had spent together he couldn't help but feel his heart pull a little when he heard his former teammate's sobs. Reluctantly, he had knocked on her door and entered to find her trying in vain to dry her tears.

"Sakura-chan…what's wrong?"

"It's n-nothing." The medic had said trying to drop the subject.

"Sakura." In one word his voice carried a note of finality. It said 'drop the act and tell me what's wrong'. But at the same time an underlying concern and worry was present that the Uchiha wasn't even entirely aware of.

Sakura lost it.

"I-It's so h-hard to adjust here!" She had cried out turning and burying her face in his neck.

Sasuke had froze at the contact. His first reaction was to push her off and cut her throat, combat instincts and all. But he quickly had pushed that aside and found himself unsure of what to do. So he had settled for awkwardly placing his hands on her back in an attempt to comfort her.

"Everyone is s-so cold and indifferent. I-I'm always a-afraid someone is g-going to stab me in the b-back. I m-miss everyone b-back home and my p-parents…" She had trailed off as she sobbed loudly. "A-And to top it all o-off I can't even t-take a damn shower w-without being watched!"

And with that Sasuke had found him conflicted. Tell her to go. Tell her to stay. Tell her to deal with it, she had asked for this. Tell her not to worry, that he would protect her. The last thought had sent him spiraling into even more confusion.

"Maybe…I could talk to Madara about getting you a little privacy." Sasuke had tried to offer.

Sakura simply shook her head, still buried in his neck. "I t-tried. He just t-told me to stop pestering h-him before he killed me."

And then something unexpected had happened to Sasuke. A sudden, unbridled fury rose up in his chest. He dared to threaten Sakura? After everything she had thrown away just to help their cause? After everything she had done to help him? He had the gull to threaten her with death? But if that hadn't been enough of a surprise emotion for the Uchiha the next one slammed him with the force of a tsunami.

Guilt.

Hadn't Karin done the exact same thing Sakura was doing? Hadn't the girl given everything just to help his cause? And he had constantly threatened her, and in the end killed her. He was no better than the masked bastard, Madara. And the thought of that suddenly left Sasuke feeling extremely emotional.

"I will…take care of this." Sasuke had said quickly as he pushed her away and made for the door. He had to get away from her. He had to get a grip on himself.

It wasn't until a few hours later Sasuke had returned to Sakura's room. Without speaking a word he entered and made for her bathroom. When she had asked him what he was doing he ignored her and turned on her shower. Turning to look at the pink haired girl he gave her a smile. Not a smirk, but a smile. Small, but genuine.

"Zetsu won't be a problem anymore." He had replied quietly. "You may take your showers with piece of mind now."

He explained that he used his Sharingan to put a subliminal order in Zetsu's mind: continue to watch Sakura, but give her privacy in the bathroom. When Sakura had asked him why he had done that for her he grunted and replied he wanted to test the new capabilities of his brother's eyes. He would never admit it crushed him to see Sakura crying.

When he tried to leave Sakura had stopped him. Turning to look at her he had been surprised to be met with more tears. Before he could ask what was wrong she had threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly.

He wanted to fight it, but the contact was different. This wasn't the hug of some rabid fan girl. It wasn't some desperate attempt at gaining his attention. No. The embrace Sasuke received was one of genuine care. It was strong but gentle as if holding an infant. It radiated warmth, tenderness, and a deep sense of appreciation. She pressed herself against him in a way that suggested even though she was strong; she could show her weakness to him and only him. He was her rock. She needed him. Not because of what he was nor because of his name, but because of what he meant to her.

It was another emotional rollercoaster, and just when he had thought it couldn't get any more confusing she whispered. "I love you Sasuke…"

His arms had come up involuntary and returned the embrace. It was weak compared to hers, as if he were unsure of what he was doing. He had replied with a grunt to acknowledge he heard what she said. At least he had tried to.

"I know." He had whispered back, horrified at voicing his thoughts.

Sakura had gone rigid for a brief moment at the shocking revelation before relaxing. She could feel that the man she was pressed against was uncomfortable so she ended the contact.

But not before replying softly, "I always will, never forget that."

Releasing him, she lightly had placed her soft pink lips to his pale cheek and given him a chaste kiss. She then quickly went into the bathroom and closed the door, doing her best to hide her blush.

Sasuke had stood rooted to his spot on floor in a daze. Absentmindedly, his hand rose slowly to his cheek and ever so lightly brushed his finger tips against the skin where her lips had made contact. A brief shudder and then a sudden warmth spread in his chest. Leaving her room, he had begun a walk that would be remembered as nothing more than a blur as he wandered the halls aimlessly for the next half hour.

"Just what are you doing to me?" He had asked himself as he stared at his hands.

But Sakura's plan had worked, regardless of the personal satisfaction she received from their encounter. As much as it pained her to admit, she had manipulated the Uchiha into giving her privacy so she could perform her next task. Her tears may have been faked, but her words had at least been the truth. Without Zetsu spying on her, she was now able to send out a message to Konoha. She was brought out of her thoughts when there was a small poof of smoke.

When the smoke cleared, a small pale white slug with faint pink markings running the length of its back appeared on the sink in front of her, no bigger than the size of her hand.

"Sakura-sama." The small insect said with a nod, its voice barely audible over the running water.

Sakura replied by nodding and then pressing a finger to her lips for the universal sign of silence. Crouching down so she was eye level with the slug, Sakura then produced a scroll the length and width of her pinky.

Offering the slug the scroll she whispered, "Take this to Katsuyu and then have her deliver it to Tsunade-sama. This is urgent and must be delivered immediately. There has been a change in plans."

The slug nodded and then swallowed the scroll.

Once it was completely absorbed Sakura spoke again. "Please extend my apologies to Katsuyu. I do not mean to use you summons as messengers but it's important."

"Do not worry, Sakura-sama." The slug said reassuringly. "Katsuyu completely understands."

"Thank you." Sakura said with a small smile. "Please return in two days. I'll have a full report ready by then. Arrive at the same time, in here. If I'm not here, leave quickly and come back every hour on the hour. Understood?"

The slug nodded and then left in another puff of smoke. Sighing to herself, Sakura stood up and stripped down. Entering the shower, she let the hot water beat against her skin as she tried to relax as best she could.

The stage was set. The pieces were now in motion. Only time would tell how the game would end.

"…chan…ee-chan…nee-chan…"

Hinata's eyes fluttered open to be met with open blue skies and a pair of lavender tinged orbs staring at her with a worried expression.

"H-Hanabi?" Hinata asked as she slowly cleared the fog in her brain. "What happened?"

Upon seeing her sister okay Hanabi visibly relaxed. "Dunno. One minute you were talking to Naruto-kun and the next he appeared in front of father holding you. Then he gave you to father and disappeared quickly." Hinata just groaned as she rubbed her forehead. "What happened?"

Hinata covered her eyes with the back of her hand and began muttering to herself, trying her best to recall what had happened. Hanabi quirked an eyebrow and leaned over her sister's face to try her best to hear what the heiress was saying. Suddenly Hinata froze, the memories rushing back in full force and causing the bluenette's eyes to widen to the size of saucers.

In the blink of an eye, Hinata's hands flashed forward and clutched Hanabi's cheeks in an iron grip. Hanabi yelped in surprise from the quick movement and suddenly found herself nose to nose with her sister.

Hinata stared intensely into her sister's eyes for a split second before whispering, "I have a date with Naruto-kun."

"WHAT?!" Hanabi, Hiashi, and Neji all shouted at once.

"I. Have. A date. With. Naruto-kun." Hinata said again calmly. The calm demeanor last for about another two seconds before she exploded with a high pitched squeal. "IhaveadatewithNaruto-kun! IhaveadatewithNaruto-kun!"

The entire time Hinata shouted this she was shaking Hanabi back and forth violently. Hiashi was about to step forward and try to intervene when Neji's hand barred his path.

"Neji, I think Hanabi might need our help." Hiashi said raising an eyebrow.

Neji shook his head solemnly. "No. It's too late for her. We should flee while we still have the chance." Motioning to the ragdoll form of Hanabi, whose eyes had now rolled into the back of her head, and was still being shook, continued. "Let not her sacrifice be in vain."

Hiashi looked at his youngest daughter's unconscious body one last time before nodding. The two men turned and began to creep away when they froze in their spots.

"Father!" Hinata shouted, turning to the clan patriarch with a crazed look in her eye.

"Y-Yes, sweetie?" Hiashi asked hesitantly.

"Money!" Hinata demanded thrusting her hand out, palm turned upwards.

"For what?" Hiashi asked now confused.

"Clothes!" Hinata answered crazily. It was becoming apparent that she could only speak in one word sentences in her current state of mind.

"But don't you have plenty of clothes already?"

"What…What have you done?" Neji asked in horror as he began to back away from Hiashi as if he were infected with the plague. Shaking his head sadly he muttered, "You poor bastard."

Now there is an unspoken bond between all men. An alliance formed between the male genders, united in one cause against women. Men, who have never met each other before in their entire lives can come together in a moment of need –a crisis, and unify against the terror of the opposite sex. Be it covering for one another, a wingman on a night out, or the unstoppable talk no jutsu: The Ultimate Seamless Collaborative Man Lie. Those united under a single banner from every background knew that they could come together in a time of need.

However, there were many unspoken rules as well, as such is necessary to maintain a civil order amongst men. But the most important rule between all men. The golden rule by which all men adhered to and understood fully was this.

Thou shalt not wasteth thine life through needless sacrifice. Thou shalt reap what ye sow. There are no heroes on the battlefield of women.

And Neji was never one to disobey the rules.

"What was that Father?" Hinata asked darkly as she cocked her head to the side.

A crazed smile was forming on his daughter's lips and there was a strange glint in her eyes. If Hiashi didn't know any better he could have sworn there was an eclipse as the atmosphere suddenly darkened. Hiashi was a strong man, he could boldly admit that. But the look Hinata leveled him with brought the proud man to his knees cowering in fear. He glanced to his side, looking for Neji for support and found that he had already high tailed it. When he turned back he nearly screamed in horror to find Hinata standing before him with her hands on her hips. The world darkened a little more.

"You were saying father?" Hinata's voice was a whisper but it may have been a booming shout the way Hiashi flinched.

With a whimper, Hiashi reached into his pocket and produced his money pouch. With a shaky hand he began to open the pouch when suddenly Hinata snatched it out of his hands and deposited it in her own pocket.

"Thank you daddy!" Hinata said suddenly bright and bubbly. The dark foreboding atmosphere did a complete 180 and Hinata turned to leave.

"Wait, Hinata!" Hiashi began, he wasn't about to let his daughter take all of his money.

Hinata looked over her shoulder and the evil darkness returned in three-fold. She glared at him out of the corner of her eye and let out a shrieking hiss. Hiashi could have sworn he even saw a forked tongue!

Hiashi simply shut his mouth and mumbled and apology looking down. Now that he thought about it, he didn't need his money that bad. Hinata simply returned to her normal self and hummed as she walked over to her baby sister. Reaching down, she grabbed Hanabi by the foot –who was still unconscious and frothing at the mouth –and began to drag the girl behind her. She did all of this still humming and now skipping.

"Come along Hana-chan, you've got to help your nee-chan pick out something nice to wear!"

Hanabi's only response was to make a gurgled groan.

"The what?" Naruto asked.

"The Night Angels." The commander repeated. "Have any of you ever heard of them before?"

Everyone shook their head except for Sai.

"I've heard of them." The pale artist admitted, getting some shocked looks from the group. "I heard mentions of them when I was in Root. However, it was only in passing and all I am really familiar with is the name."

"Looks like you get to tell the story then kid!" Jihibiki said giving the commander a slap on the back.

The commander simply nodded and ignored the fact the he was being called a kid. Folding his arms he started.

"You all are aware that this village was founded as a result of an alliance formed by the Senju and the Uchiha clans during the clan wars. The armistice was signed as a way to prevent the two clans from being wiped out. Many people assume that it was because the Senju and the Uchiha were on the verge of destroying each other, but this is only partly true. While the cease fire did help to keep the two clans from damaging one another's numbers, the real reason was because of a much greater threat: one that was close to annihilating both the Senju and the Uchiha completely."

"What was it?" Naruto asked. "Was it the Bijuu?"

"Not what," the commander said shaking his head, "who?"

"There was someone else more powerful than both the Senju and Uchiha?" Shikamaru asked voicing his surprise.

"Who could that possibly be?" Shino asked voicing the unspoken question.

The commander looked at the men in the room before his eyes stopped on Naruto.

"The Uzumaki."

Tsunade sighed contently as she sat back in her chair. It had been a hard morning but as of right now, the evil demon known as paper work was done. Bringing a cup to her lips, she took a long sip of –surprisingly enough –tea and let out another sigh.

"I second that!" Renge said from the couch, a cup of the same tea in her own hand.

Tsunade smirked and set her cup down. "How's the brat's training going?"

Renge couldn't help the evil grin that spread across her face and Tsunade shivered involuntarily. "It's going exceptionally well."

"Yeah but for whom?" Tsunade wondered feeling bad for the blonde.

"I'm surprised you let Hiashi take Hinata away from your training."

"I was a little miffed at first but when he told me what he was going to be teaching her I realized that it couldn't have been more perfect. So, I let it slide." Renge replied with a shrug.

"And what would that be?"

Renge just gave the blonde a knowing grin. "Clan secret darling."

Tsunade just grunted and made a mental note to have some of the Anbu figure out what it was. She was the Hokage after all, knowing everything about everyone in her village was important. "If you say so."

Renge rolled her eyes but decided to change the subject. "So, have you given any thought as to who will be on the information retrieval mission at the Valley of the End?"

"I know what you're thinking and the answer is no." Tsunade said ending the conversation before it could begin.

"But she's his teammate, Tsunade-chan. It isn't right to keep him off of this mission."

"I don't care." Tsunade said setting her cup down. "The Akatsuki's goal is to capture the Bijuu and we're sending people to meet a mole in their organization. What if she's followed? They could have allowed her to infiltrate just so they could have her tailed and ambush the meeting in hopes of having Naruto there. I won't allow it, it's too risky."

Renge sighed but relented. She knew he wasn't going to enjoy hearing that. "He's going to be furious."

"He'll get over it," was all Tsunade said with a shrug. "He needs to learn to start looking at the bigger picture and not what's happening in the now."

Renge could only nod in agreement. "We're working on that."

"It's showing." Tsunade nodded, unable to keep the appreciation from her voice. Since Naruto took control of the Hyuuga Affair, the blonde Hokage had been able to focus all of her time with other matters. It had been a huge help having such a heavy burden lifted from her shoulders.

"So…when you gonna give him the seat?" Renge asked, reading her counterpart's face.

Tsunade smirked. "After this war. If we both survive."

Renge let out a whistle. "Givin' his old man a run for his money then. That'll make Naruto-kun the youngest this village has ever had."

"He's earned it. That and he'll have more than enough experience by then."

Renge nodded her head but kept her grin. That reckless, carefree grin. Tsunade could have sworn it had to have been a trait in the Uzumaki clan. Every Uzumaki she had ever met had it, and it sure as hell was contagious.

Her brief reverie was interrupted when there was a knock at the door.

"Tsunade-sama," Suki said as she poked her head in the door, "Hyuuga Neji is here. He wishes to discuss some matters with you."

Tsunade groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose. Kami was this man persistent! "Send him in."

Suki nodded her head and closed the door to retrieve Neji.

"Something you two don't agree on?" Renge asked curious.

"You have no idea." Tsunade muttered.

Neji stepped through the door a second later. "Hokage-sama." He said with a respectful bow. "Thank you for seeing me." He then glanced over at the couch and stopped abruptly. "Renge-sama." He said with another bow, but there was a gleam in his eye.

This didn't escape Tsunade's notice. "Is this a private matter?"

"Yes." Neji nodded. "But I believe it would be very beneficial for Renge-sama to hear this as well."

Now Tsunade was on the defensive. Neji was planning something. "What do you want Neji?" She didn't try to hide the irritation in her voice. "I've already told you that we are done discussing Karin."

From the corner of her eye Tsunade caught Renge going stiff for a brief moment at the mention of the prisoner's name. In the pit of her stomach, an uneasy borderline nauseous feeling was beginning to bubble.

"But Hokage-sama, I never told you why I asked for the DNA test." Neji said in a pleading voice.

"I don't care." Tsunade said preparing to motion to the Anbu in the office. "This discussion is over."

"But Hokage-sama—"

"—This discussion is over Neji!" Tsunade yelled. In a flash an Anbu appeared on either side of Neji, grabbing him by the arm. "Escort Neji-san out of the building." She commanded.

The two started to force Neji towards the door, but the Hyuuga would have none of it. He struggled to stay where he was and began yelling.

"This isn't just about me Tsunade! This is about Naruto too! I don't know why you're so hell bent on trying to keep this quiet but I won't stand for it! Naruto deserves to be happy! I owe it to him! We all do!"

The Anbu seemed to freeze at hearing Neji's outburst and they turned to Tsunade to see what she'd say.

"For god's sake he's turning my own Anbu against me!" Tsunade cried out in frustration.

"What's this got to do with Naruto?" Tsunade asked narrowing her eyes. At hearing this question the Anbu released Neji but still remained alert.

After taking a moment to compose him Neji took a deep breath and answered. "I believe that the prisoner, who goes by the name of Karin, is of Uzumaki descent."

Before Tsunade could say anything she was interrupted by Renge. "How do you know this?" She asked as she was up from the couch and moving across the room in a second. "What makes you suspect such a thing?"

"My eyes." The Hyuuga explained. "The Byakugan allows me to see similarities in chakras, indicating a familial relationship between kinsmen."

"And you're saying you see one between this Karin and Naruto?"

"No." Neji shook his head. "Not just Naruto, but Jihibiki and you too Renge-sama. Especially in you."

Renge was silent for a moment. "Tsunade…" She started as she turned to her counterpart.

"I can't," was all the blonde said.

"Why not?" Neji and Renge said at the same time.

"Because it costs too much time and money!" Tsunade yelled. Why couldn't they understand that? "There is a war on the horizon, approaching closer and closer each day! I'm in the middle of trying to prepare this village for that, which, I might remind you, is still in the process of rebuilding! I just can't spend the time or the money focusing on something else!"

The room was silent for a long moment. Nobody said anything; they just simply stared at one another. Neji with a mix of emotions ranging from angry to understanding, Tsunade with one of finality, and Renge with cold contempt.

"Don't have the time…" Renge echoed in a whisper. She suddenly scoffed so loud in the deafening silence that it made Neji and the two Anbu jump. "Dear god you sound just like him all those years ago."

Neji looked confused but Tsunade instantly had a look of regret on her face. "Renge…" She said softly. "I didn't mean it like that."

"Save it!" Renge yelled. "The boy's right! You owe it to Naruto! You owe it to us! You owe it to Uzushio!"

Tsunade said nothing. She simply stared at her desk like a scolded child.

"Come Neji." Renge said as she whirled around and made for the door. "Let's go see this Karin."

"But…the DNA test?" Neji asked in confusion as he trailed behind the aged woman.

"Fuck the DNA test!" Renge snapped as she slammed open the door. "I know my own blood when I see it."

The two left the office leaving behind Tsunade and her two Anbu. The silence returned again in full force. It was only a few seconds but it felt like an eternity before it was broken by a small explosion on her desk along with a poof of smoke.

"Katsuyu?" Tsunade said confused.

"Tsunade-sama." The small pale blue and white slug said with a nod. "I have an urgent message from Sakura."

"What?!" Tsunade yelled as she plucked the small scroll that had oozed from her summon. Ripping it open and summoning the real message from smaller one, Tsunade briskly read through the short sentences. When she leaned back in her seat, she rubbed her eyes in exhaustion.

"Thank you very much Katsuyu."

"Anytime, Tsunade-sama." The summon said with a nod before disappearing again.

The room fell to silence once more.

"Orders, Hokage-sama?" The Anbu asked.

"Follow them." She said quietly, motioning towards the door. "And make sure they don't do anything stupid."

The Anbu were gone in a blur and no sooner had they left was Tsunade reaching for the drawer that held her sake bottle. While she was relieved to hear that her apprentice was okay, the message confirmed that things were quickly headed towards a clusterfuck.

God, why couldn't anything ever be easy?

Hiashi stared hard at the man across from him in his office. No words were spoken, only intense gazes held being held between the two men. After a long pause Hiashi finally spoke.

"I hope you can understand the situation we have been placed in."

"I understand your suspicions." Akesuke said stoically. "And know that if you wish to have me detained or stop with these meetings I'll understand as well."

There was another long pause before Hiashi closed his eyes and sighed. "I trust you Akesuke." The man across from him visibly relaxed. "I just don't understand how they came across such intimate information."

"Neither do I." Akesuke said shaking his head. "I haven't called you that in years. But it makes you wonder."

"Wonder what?" Hiashi asked raising an eyebrow.

"Does this mean my cover is blown?"

The men fell silent once again.

"I want you to stop attending these meetings." Hiashi said after a long silence. "I believe they are on to us. We'll just have to leave the rest to Naruto."

"Naruto?" Akesuke said in surprise. "What is he up to?"

"I didn't tell you before because I was being careful but…it appears that Tsunade has placed Naruto in charge of a countermeasure to stop the rebellion."

"When are they planning to strike?"

"I don't know."

"Hiashi…"

"I'm serious, Akesuke." Hiashi said with a tight face. "I don't know. Only Naruto and a few others know about the operations and what is going on. I don't even think Tsunade-sama knows what's happening."

"I see." Akesuke said with a grim nod. "So all of our faith is being placed in him."

"It's not nearly as bad as it sounds." Hiashi said with a smirk.

"No…" Akesuke said with a smirk of his own. "I suppose not." Standing up Hiashi followed suit and the two shook hands.

"Stay safe Akesuke, I don't need another friend dying on me." Hiashi said seriously.

"I could say the same to you as well old friend." Akesuke said with a smirk. "Keep your family safe."

With nothing more to be said Akesuke took his leave and was on his way. Walking through the compound he decided to stop for a brief lunch when he was halted by a Branch Member.

"Akesuke-sama." The man said with a bow. "Gourzi-sama would like to inform you that there will be a meeting in fifteen minutes. He advises you not be late."

Akesuke's face instantly hardened into one of cold steel causing the Branch Member to flinch. Gourzi had the nerve to challenge him? And to do it so boldly too!

"Tell him I'll be there." Akesuke said icily. He didn't even wait for a response as he made his way towards the secret meeting chamber.

It was time Gourzi learned his place.

Gourzi was waiting as patiently as he could in the darkened meeting chamber as the other members slowly filed in. As they took their seats, he mentally took note of who had yet to arrive. Even though the lights never reached their faces from where they sat –they're bodies being the only thing illuminated in the dark room –Gourzi knew who was who. They had an almost unofficial assigned seating. When the last person had taken his place, Gourzi scanned the room one last time.

"Where is Akesuke?" He asked.

There were murmurs amongst each other before a Branch Member spoke up. "I delivered the message to him personally, Gourzi-sama. He informed me that he would be here for this meeting."

"Then where is he?" Gourzi snapped, causing the man to flinch.

"You know, if you don't watch out that tone will get you killed one day, Gourzi."

Everyone's attention shifted to the entrance to find Akesuke standing there. His shoulders and face were hidden in shadows but everyone could practically hear the smirk on his face.

"We'll I'm glad you finally graced us with your presence Akesuke." Gourzi said with a sneer. "It would be a shame to miss this meeting seeing as how it has to do with you."

"Oh?" Akesuke asked, his voice still holding an unseen smirk. "How exciting. What about me exactly?"

"About how you've been secretly working for Hiashi as a mole in this group!" Akesuke accused, reveling in the outraged cries and mutters from the others in the group.

When everyone finally seemed to calm down Akesuke spoke. "And what proof do you have of this accusation?" His voice no longer held the smile. Instead, it had been replaced by a cold tone.

Gourzi mistook this as an indication of guilt and grinned madly. "I've had my spies tailing you for quite some time now Akesuke. They've managed to gather quite a bit of evidence against you. You won't be able to talk your way out of this one."

No one said anything for a long time and a tense silence fell on the meeting.

"Then could these spies step forward and present their evidence to this accusation?" Akesuke finally asked.

"Oh I won't be falling for that trick you sly bastard." Gourzi sneered. "I'll keep my spies in the dark to keep their identities a secret."

"Then you must realize that there's nothing you can do to prove this then."

"That's what you think!" Gourzi spat.

"What will you do then? Kill me?"" Akesuke asked. "You know you can't do such a thing. Doing so would alert Hiashi and you can't afford that."

"Not right now, no. But it won't stop me from keeping you detained until the rebellion. Afterwards I can present the evidence and have you executed."

"Hiashi will not allow this." Akesuke said.

"Hiashi won't do shit if you suspects you haven't been killed!" Akesuke countered with a shout.

At that moment, the meeting was interrupted by Zetsu who morphed out of the wall and came to stand off to the side behind Gourzi.

"What is it you want Zetsu, I'm in the middle of something important." Gourzi asked with thinly veiled rage.

"Madara-sama would like to inform you that you are to proceed to Option Beta."

"Option Beta? What the hell is that? Explain yourself Zetsu!" Gourzi shouted. His attention was shifted to Akesuke when he heard the man snort.

"Didn't I warn you Gourzi? Some day that tone will get you killed."

The sound of a sharp object swinging suddenly filled the air followed by the squelch of flesh being pierced. Gourzi looked around the room in confusion to see who it was until he noticed everyone staring at him. Looking down, he found a sharp spike of wood protruding from his chest.

In one swift motion Zetsu yank the spike free and Gourzi's world was filled with an explosion of pain as he vision swam and the hole in his chest began to pour blood like waterfall.

"Z-Zetsu? Why?" Gourzi stuttered out in surprised confusion.

"You know what the problem is with people in power?" Akesuke asked as he started to slowly cross the room. He was met with silence as all of the members stared at the slowly dying Gourzi. "They all believe that they can't be touched. That nothing could ever possibly happen to them."

Akesuke came to a stop right in front of Gourzi, who stared up at him with confused and fading eyes.

"That false sense of security makes doing things like this so much easier." Reaching out with a hand, Akesuke touched the side of the Gourzi's temple lightly with his finger tips and nudged him gently to the side. The man fell from his chair in a crumpled heap.

"I-I don't understand?" Gourzi gasped out.

"You've fulfilled Madara-sama's use." Akesuke said coldly as he sat down in Gourzi's seat. "The only thing left to do was tie up a loose end."

"But…" Gourzi coughed up a large amount of blood that now trickled down the sides of his mouth. "You work for Hiashi."

"I worked for Hiashi." Akesuke corrected.

When he was met with a confused stare Akesuke grinned. Slowly, the man's face began to morph and change shape. His features began to blend and recede until Gourzi was left staring at a White Zetsu. The shock on the dying man's face was priceless.

"Madara would like to thank you for your services." He extended his hand and motioned to the other members. "As would the rest of the council."

Gourzi shifted his head to an odd angle to gaze up at the other members of the council. Too his horror he was met with the insane smiling faces of White Zetsu clones.

"No," was all he could whisper as the ground beneath him started to shift. Roots suddenly sprang from the earth and started wrap around his body.

"For your generous efforts Madara would like to extend this present to you which you have most certainly earned." Black Zetsu said sardonically. More roots wrapped around Gourzi's body and began to pull him into the softened ground. "It's been awhile since I've had real flesh."

Gourzi's cries echoed throughout the chamber as his body was slowly pulled under dirt. "You can't do this! No! No! No!"

"Goodbye, Hyuuga Gourzi."

"NOOOOOOOO –"

The screams died the second Gourzi's head was swallowed by the earth. The Zetsus all looked at each other before nodding in unison and shifting back into their former identities.

So much to do, so little time.

BOOM! Didn't see that comin' did ya? So I think we can all agree shit just got real complicated. Let me know what you think!