Second Time's The Charm

by Reader06

Tobirama knew bringing back the dead was possible. He knew that anything was possible in the ninja world. That didn't mean, however, that he ever believed in reincarnation. But here he was, with a new family and a ragtag group of friends, in a village he barely recognized, facing the same demons as before. Would he ever find some peace and quiet?

41. Shippuden Chapter 4

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Shikamaru stared blankly ahead – completely uninterested in the negotiations a few yard from him. He was sitting on the ground with his legs crossed and his face resting on his hand. His eyes were half lidded and all he could think about is all the time he was wasting when he could be napping.

"Urggg!" Naruto groaned, ruffling his hair in frustration, "I'm going to die of boredom!"

Sakura's eye twitched dangerously before thinking, "I can't handle it anymore! Three days! Three mind numbing days of listening to Naruto moan and groan, and I can't handle it anymore!" Sakura's green eyes settled on the back of Kanoko, who sat several yards away from them at the negotiation table. Sakura gritted her teeth, "How come I always get stuck on Naruto duty?!"

Naruto flopped on his back with a loud thump, "THIS IS TORTURE!"

"I'll show you torture!" Sakura thought as her head slowly rotating around, "Naaaruuuuutooooooo!"

Dark energy filled the area, causing Naruto to sit up quickly with wide eyes. "Ack!" Naruto squawked out as he scurried backwards from his pink haired teammate. The blond went white as he placed his hands protectively in front of himself before pleading loudly, "Ahh! Sakura-chan! What'd I do?!"

"Shh!" Tenten quickly hushed at the two of them, "Neji's giving us the evil eye!"

Shikamaru lazily opened one eye to look ahead in the direction the negotiations were taking place. Shikamaru sighed tiredly at the sight. Sure enough, Neji had twisted his upper body around to glare intently at them – promising death regardless of present company.

Lee quickly stood up with a huge smile on his face, "You are incorrect, dear Tenten! I have seen that look many times on my ever youthful rival's face! It means battle is about to begin!"

Shikamaru smack his head into his palm, "Only Lee would interpret a death threat as an act of friendly sparring…"

Tenten quickly yanked her teammate down and hushed him as well.

Turning his head to the sound of light crunching, Shikamaru gave a quick look to his two teammates. Chouji was quietly eating one of his snacks with his eyes focused on the night sky above while Ino seemed to be focused on Sakura and Naruto – probably weighing the pros and cons of letting Sakura kill her teammate.

Sighing again, Shikamaru turned his eyes back to the spot ahead where the negotiations were taking place. The elder Nara twin looked at his sister's back with a tired expression, "As annoying as these guys are, at least I don't have to hear Neji and Temari bicker like two old housewives…"

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Kanoko felt another headache coming on, causing her to rub the bridge of her nose in frustration. Kanoko groaned slightly before speaking, "Leave it Neji. Their nerves are just getting the better of them."

The Hyuuga scoffed as he turned back around, "It's completely unprofessional and downright disrespectful." Neji crossed his arms as he gave Kanoko a side glare, "This is completely your fault."

Kanoko raised an eyebrow before tiredly responding, "Is that so?"

Neji scoffed again, "You'd let them get away with murder if they so much as shot you a puppy eyed look."

Kanoko just closed her eyes – refusing to acknowledge or argue with Neji. It was neither the time nor place.

Temari broke out in a deep, booming laughter at the two of them, "Is that all it takes to best the mighty Nara Kanoko?" Temari sent Kanoko a cocky smirk, "Didn't think you were so soft."

Kanoko slowly opened her eyes to give Temari an expressionless look.

"Temari." Gaara spoke lightly, but in a warning tone.

Temari just smirked at her brother before shrugging with her arms crossed. Turning her sharp teal eyes to pale ones, Temari's smirk grew as she taunted the Hyuuga before her, "It gives me a great sense of joy to see you suffer so miserably." Temari closed her eyes and leaned back in her chair, "You won't find that kind of behavior from us Sand nin, of course."

Neji's fingers tightened around the arms of his chair dangerously. The sound of his teeth gritting reached everyone at the table, making Shizune heavily sigh . This was in no way shape for form the first verbal fight Neji and Temari had gotten into since this whole thing started.

Two years ago, when both the Sand and Leaf were recovering from different attacks, their villages had decided to put a greater emphasis on foreign relations. And due to the shortage of good candidates, both villages were forced to look at the younger generation of shinobi – untrained, but full of potential.

As a result, Neji and Temari joined the diplomacy ranks and became the youngest ambassadors for their respective villages. Each were a force to be reckoned with. Both were born into old families with deep ties into the politics of the villages and both were forced to use words, etiquette, and strategy in order to survive. In many ways, they had a lot in common.

Unfortunately for anyone within ear shot of the two of them, they did not agree.

"Why Lady Tsunade? Why would you do this to me?" Shizune thought depressingly, before peeking a look across the table. If everything else wasn't difficult enough to deal with, Shizune had the unfortunate luck of facing the Sand's representing elder and her teacher's longtime rival, Chiyo.

"And she hasn't once stop glaring at me since she caught sight of me three days ago…" Shizune thought with a miserable sigh.

Dropping her shoulders, Shizune tentatively spoke, "Perhaps we should call it a night…"

Shizune trailed off as she saw Kanoko unfold an arm from her chest and careless point to a spot behind the Sand representatives.

Temari blinked before frowning slightly and turning around to see what Kanoko was pointing at.

Yards away, where the Sand team was residing, those at the negotiations table could make out several puppets moving back and forth. Clapping and fits of laughter traveled to their ears, causing Temari to go red in a mix of embarrassment and anger.

Jumping out of her chair, Temari raised a fist in the air and hollered to her brother, "KANKURO! What the hell do you think you're doing?! A fucking puppet show?! Are you fucking kidding me?!"

Gaara sighed internally as he watched his brother jump before spinning around with a wide eyed and fearful look on his face. Chuckling nervously, Kankuro called back, "Come on sis! It's been hours! I'm just trying to keep the men-" Kankuro paused when he heard a few sharp sounds of protest, "-and women from falling asleep!"

Neji crossed his arms and smirked coolly, "Yes, I can see that your Sand nin are shining examples of truly terrifying and dutiful shinobi." Neji leaned back in his chair and further taunted the Sand kunoichi, "Tell me, does your brother also do other sensitive and S-ranked events, like funerals and assassinations?"

Temari's teal eyes snapped towards Neji. Sparks flew dangerously between teal and pale colored eyes.

Gaara closed his eyes, counting backwards from ten before slowly standing, "I second the Leaf's motion to deliberate until tomorrow morning."

Chiyo looked up at her Kazekage with an amused smirk, "Oh, I don't know about that. Things are finally getting good!" Chiyo let out a scratchy bark of laughter, "Five-thousand ryo says Temari breaks the Hyuuga's nose!"

Temari smirked at Chiyo's bet, "I'd let you bet that Elder Chiyo, but that bastard knows to protect his face after I sucker punched him last time."

The smirk from Neji's face quickly fell and was replaced with a look of anger, "That was a lucky hit! I thought you were apologizing, not distracting me so you could get a low blow in!"

"I was apologizing, but you had to be an asshole about it!" Temari shouted before scoffing, "And seriously? A low blow? Trust me, if I was going to give you a low blow, you'd be walking funny to this day."

Neji fumed in anger and opened his mouth to retort but was cut off by Kanoko.

"Enough!" Kanoko bellow out in a deep, commanding voice. Giving Neji a sharp look, Kanoko turned her gaze to Gaara and bowed respectfully, "Please forgive the disruption. I believe you are wise in postponing the negotiations until tomorrow." Kanoko straightened her back before speaking again, "Perhaps you and I could speak tomorrow before the start of negotiations and discuss whether further action is necessary."

Neji gave Kanoko a cold look, but didn't say anything as the Kazekage nodded in agreement, "I believe that would be fruitful." Gaara nodded once more before turning away from the Leaf nin and walking away.

Temari gave Neji one more annoyed look before turning and following behind her brother.

Kanoko watched the three Sand nin walk away before turning to Neji and Shizune, "Let's go join the others." Kanoko looked out into the distance before speaking low, "I will recall Sasuke's team."

Shizune frowned, "Do you think that's a good idea? What if the Akatsuki attack?"

Kanoko frowned, "At this point, it seems unlikely." Kanoko paused to look up at the night sky, "But if they do, the days have not been kind to our stamina. It is best that we stick close to one and another, until we move out tomorrow."

Neji crossed his arms as they started to walk towards the group, "Naruto isn't going to like that we are just giving up."

Kanoko hummed lightly before responding, "Neither the Leaf nor the Sand can afford a mission failure. However, performing the same actions and expecting different results is, I believe, the definition of insanity." Kanoko paused to smirk, "Something I strongly believe the Uchiha have a monopoly over."

"I can hear you." Sasuke growled over the intercom in Kanoko's ear.

Kanoko's smirk grew, "I am aware."

"Gai and I are going to stay out in the field, if you don't mind Noko-chan." Kakashi's voice fluttered over the intercom in an amused tone.

Kanoko's eye twitched, "I don't know who you heard that name from…" Kanoko paused to curse Shikaku in her head, "…but call me that again and I give everyone a reason to start calling you Kashi-chan."

"So mean." Kakashi responded with a slight whine.

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Sasuke frowned at the food in front of him.

The Uchiha poked at it with his chopsticks a few times before pushing it away and choosing to look around the room instead.

All of the Leaf nin, minus Kakashi and Gai, were having a late night dinner in one of the many dining halls inside the Demon Dessert Tower. It was nothing but stone and metal – including the tables – and was surprisingly cold for being located in a hot dessert.

Looking across the table, Sasuke took a moment to look over Kanoko – who was staring intently at her food. The two of them decided to sit as far away from the rest of the group as possible – surprising Sasuke a little. While it was common for him to want separation from anyone too loud or annoying – aka Naruto – Sasuke was curious why Kanoko decided to join him. While not a social butterfly, he knew that Kanoko would choose a spot near her brother nine times out of ten – even if that meant sitting near all the madness.

Scanning her quickly, Sasuke noted that her shoulders were tight and nails were bleeding slightly. Sasuke frowned at the sight. Over the years, Sasuke has learned a few things about Kanoko that only those really close to her know. When Kanoko picked at her nails it meant one of two things: Either she was frustrated – and there was a 50% chance her anger was directed at him – or she was nervous about something.

Sasuke shook his head. He didn't blame her for being nervous. Nothing had gone right with this mission so far, but in the same token, nothing had gone wrong either. It left things in this weird, limbo state and none of them knew how to handle it.

Sasuke paused in his thoughts to look over the others.

Over at the other end of the room was their resident dobe, Naruto, who was stuck in a vicious arm wrestling match with the equally insane Lee. Sasuke smirked in amusement when Naruto's teammate, Sakura, picked the two of them up and slammed their heads together. Based upon the pinkette's shouts, the two were fighting over the right to ask her out on a date – something she clearly didn't appreciate.

Just a table over Sasuke saw the other three kunoichi, Hinata, Tenten and Ino, giggling at the scene. At the other end of the table sat Kiba, Chouji and Shikamaru. Shikamaru had his head down, face first, on the table with his arms curled around him while his two seat mates started fighting over the last piece of meat between them.

Sasuke rolled his eyes. Kiba knew that Chouji always made a big deal about the last bite of a meal, but the fanged nin always went out his way to steal it from the larger leaf nin – claiming the piece was for Akamaru. Sasuke smirked lightly to himself, maybe one day Chouji will figure out that Kiba just does it for attention, and not for Akamaru as he claims.

Shifting his onyx eyes to the last party in the room, Sasuke focused on the two that always put him on edge – each for different reasons.

Shizune was one of the Hokage's advisors and assistants, but more than that, she was also a poisons master and high level healer. Sasuke didn't like knowing that if she ever needed to treat him, he would be unaware if what she was giving him was an elixir or toxin.

And then there was Hyuuga Neji. Sasuke's mouth dipped into a hard frown as he thought about the jounin. Even after the last few years changing them both for the better, Sasuke and Neji never felt any sort of comradery for each other. If faced off against an enemy of the Leaf, the two would work together, but that was where their relationship started and ended.

Neji and Shizune were standing near one of the small circular windows, speaking in hushed voices. Sasuke figured they were trying to figure out what Kanoko and the Kazekage had in mind next.

Sasuke frowned to himself. Kanoko hadn't uttered a single word since she informed the team that they would be calling it a night. Sasuke turned back to the female Nara as she continued to stare blankly at her food. Picking up his chopsticks, Sasuke nudged Kanoko's plate – making her jump slightly before looking up to give him the evil eye.

Sasuke just returned her look with an expressionless one before speaking in a hushed tone, "Have you sensed anything?"

Kanoko's frown deepened. Sasuke watched her eyes shift quickly to where her brother sat with his head down before shifting back to meeting his own onyx ones. The stared at each other for a moment before Kanoko spoke, "No..." A shadow took over Kanoko's face as her voice tightened, "I… don't feel anything."

Sasuke frowned, "What do you mean?"

Silence filled the area again. Sasuke watched as Kanoko's eyes shifted around the room and landing on her brother once more, "I cannot sense anything."

Sasuke's frown deepened before he shrugged, "Then why are you acting like we'll be attacked at any moment?" Sasuke frowned, "I know how much area your sensing abilities can cover under the worst conditions. Out here, where there's practically no life, you should be able to tell us long in advance if the enemy is about to strike." Sasuke didn't add, but he was also confident in his teammate's abilities to see danger coming. He's been on missions where he's witness Kiba wake up from a deep sleep – having sniffed something miles away that doesn't belong. Add in two Hyuugas and Kakashi, and Sasuke wasn't too concerned about his brother sneaking up on them.

Kanoko shook her head, "You are not understanding me." The brunette turned to Sasuke and focused on him with a wide eyed, almost crazed look, "I sense nothing."

Sasuke frowned before his eyes widened – a knot forming in his throat and settling in his stomach.

Kanoko's expression worsened as her voice started to crack, "Sasuke. I think… I think I've been hit with a strong genjutsu and… I can't get out of it."

Onyx eyes turned red in an instant. His Sharingan spun rapidly as his chakra spiked.

The room's noise ceased in an instance as everyone twisted their heads around to see Sasuke jump out of his seat.

"Sasuk-?" Kiba started.

"We're under attack!" Sasuke roared.

Neji and Hinata were quick to activate their dojutsus while Shikamaru leaped over the tables towards his sister's still form – instantly recognizing something was wrong with Kanoko.

Shikamaru kneeled next to Kanoko and looked over her with sharp dark brown eyes. Shikamaru's gaze traveled from his sister's tight expression to where her nails were piercing the skin on top of her left hand. Dark eyes snapped up to meet red ones, "What are you seeing?"

Sasuke's eyes were rapidly reading all the information his eyes were providing him. After a slight pause, Sasuke's teeth gritted, "A genjutsu. One of his."

Shikamaru frowned, "Who?" Shikamaru's eyes shifted to the blood seeping from his sister's hand – where her own nails were puncturing the skin – and continued his questioning, "What kind of genjutsu can't be broken with pain?"

Sasuke opened his mouth to clarify when his teammate's shriek cut him off.

"We need to get out of here!" Hinata shouted, "Now!"

Shikamaru's head snapped up. His mind raced at a hundred miles an hour as he called out, "Chouji!"

"Got it!" The large man shouted as he enlarged his fist and smashed through the wall leading to the outside.

"Everyone out!" Neji echoed his cousin's warning, "Something big is headed straight at us!"

Shikamaru cursed low as his attention was drawn back to his sister – who hadn't moved an inch. Wrapping his arms around her, Shikamaru picked her up and dashed out the opening his teammate made. The rest of the group sprinted out – either racing down the side of the tower or just jumping straight out towards the sand below.

Naruto quickly made hand seals and shouted, "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Several Naruto popped into existence in a puff of smoke. Naruto looked at his clones and shouted, "You know the drill!"

"On it!" A chorus shot back at him before splitting up. Each Naruto clone raced over to a member of the group – sticking next to them as everyone ran from the scene.

Turning his head back around as he ran, Naruto gritted his teeth at the tower, "We need to get over to Gaara!" Stopping his feet, Naruto spun around and sprinted back towards the area – determined to make it to the opposite side of the tower to warn Gaara.

"Naruto!" Sakura shouted, her eyes catching her teammate running back towards the tower.

"I need to warn Gaara!" Naruto shouted.

"NARUTO!" Neji shouted as his eyes went wide.

Naruto snapped his head around into the direction of the Hyuuga's voice.

"Wha-" Naruto started to call out in an annoyed tone.

*BOOOOOOOM*

Naruto felt the rush of air and the heat of the fire him just before the pain of the explosion hit.

"Ahhh!"

"Naruto!" Sakura called out as slammed her feet into the sand and twisted her body around before pushing off towards her teammate. Zipping around the flying debris, Sakura grabbed Naruto around the waist. Bear-hugging him, Sakura used a chunk of the falling stone tower to propel herself and Naruto away from the scene and towards the sand below.

"I'll cover you!" Hinata told Sakura as she sped in front of the pair. Taking a stance, Hinata activated her Byakugan and faced the destruction – eyes sharp and ready to defend her comrades.

Sakura nodded in thanks before quickly pushing her chakra out to her hands and healing the burns on Naruto's body. Shizune was at Sakura and Naruto's side in an instant, looking over Naruto and checking for any puncture wounds as Sakura's hands continued to glow green.

"Incoming!" Neji shouted as a massive flock white birds glided over the top of the falling tower and dived towards them.

"Eight Trigrams: Air Palm!" Neji and Hinata shouted in unison towards the odd shaped birds.

"Take this!" Tenten shouted jumping in the air and ripping open a scroll – sending out several sharp weapons.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" Sasuke spat as fire flew from his mouth.

All four attacks hit in unison causing the dark night light up in a mix of white and orange as the oddly shaped birds exploded on impact.

"Expansion Jutsu!" Chouji shouted, enlarging his fists and curving them protectively around the group as the heat of the explosions ripped through the air. A thick smoke lined the air and mixed with the dark of the night, making it nearly impossible to see.

Chouji hissed in pain as he shrunk his hands to a normal size.

"Chouji! Give me your hands." Ino told her teammate, her own hands extending over his and glowing green.

"Thanks Ino." Chouji said with a pained grin.

Ino opened her mouth to respond but was cut off by their ear buds squelching.

"Kanoko! Report!" Kakashi's deep voice called over the radio, "We're seeing smoke rising from your location!"

Shikamaru was quick to respond in a coarse tone, "Kanoko's down. What's your position?"

The radio squelched again, "A couple miles out." There was pause in the traffic before Kakashi's voice was heard again, "Explain. What do you mean Kanoko's down?"

Sasuke answered with a dark voice, "She's under one of Itachi's genjutsus."

"The Tsukuyomi?" Kakashi asked with a tight voice.

Sasuke looked towards Kanoko before responding tentatively, "No. This is different." Sasuke frowned as his eyes shifted to his teammates "But to continue to hold her like this… he has to be around here somewhere."

Hinata and Kiba looked at each other before looking back at Sasuke and nodding.

"Hold up." Shikamaru spoke, already seeing what they were planning. Shikamaru gave Sasuke a pointed look before holding his hand to his ear and speaking over the intercom again, "Kakashi-"

"Shikamaru!" Neji called out, sprinting towards the Nara twins, "Above you!"

Ripping through the night air was a large, white, owl-like creature with a robed figure on its back.

Shikamaru quickly bolted out of the way as Neji moved to intercept the diving creature, "Eight Trigrams: Air Palm!"

A burst of air and chakra ripped through the air and smacked straight into the flying object – sending them both shooting back through the air. The robed figure quickly flung his hand around and another large bird-like creature grew out from his hand.

"Nice try you little shit!" The man called out with a crazed laugh as he landed on the new bird's back, "But my art isn't one dimensional."

Neji's eyes narrowed on the figure, "What does he mean by that?"

"Neji-niisan!" Hinata called out.

Neji turned at the sound of his cousin's voice only to let out a cough of pain as Hinata shoved her body into his. Neji hissed as his body flew through the air, but quickly caught himself before landing in the sand a few yards away.

"Hinata-sama-" Neji started in confusion as he looked up to where his cousin was, only for his eyes to widen as the ground exploded in front of him.

"HINATA!" Kiba roared as he raced towards her.

Smoke and sand filled the air – thickening it.

Grinning wickedly, the blond Akatsuki member used his clay bird to sweep towards the now unprotected form of Nara Kanoko.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" Sasuke shouted, digging his feet into the sand between the enemy and Kanoko.

The man's eyes went wide at the massive ball of fire racing towards him – forcing him to make a sharp turn upwards, toward the sky.

"Hinata!" Kiba shouted again with Akamaru next to him – trying to figure out where his teammate was, but having difficulty due to the smog.

A small cough was heard, "Over here…"

The smoke cleared, showing a fairly unscathed Hinata with just a couple burns on her hands and lower legs.

Shizune was quickly at Hinata's side, healing the small wounds before staring at the Hyuuga heiress in wonder, "How did you avoid the blast?"

Hinata shook her head, "I didn't." Everyone stared at Hinata in confusion before she clarified, looking over at the now standing Naruto, "Naruto-kun protected me…"

Sakura gave Naruto a confused look before looking to her other side at one of Naruto's clones, "Oh! You mean his clone!"

Hinata nodded with a small smile.

Ino blinked at the smiling blond before clicking her fingers, "That's why you created shadow clones and had them stick near us!"

"That's one reason, yes." Shikamaru spoke as Naruto created another clone to stick near the healing Hinata.

"Shikamaru!" Kakashi's scratchy voice flittered over the radio, "Shikamaru! I need you to report!"

Shikamaru cursed low as a mix of white creatures fell from the sky. "We're heavily engaged with an Akatsuki member! Based on our mission brief, it's Deidara of the Rock Village!" Shikamaru yelled over the intercom as the creatures started exploding in different locations around the area.

When nothing but static responded to the Nara, he cursed aloud before yelling out to the group, "Sasuke!"

The Uchiha in questioned turned his head for a moment before leaping backwards as Deidara and his 'bird' dove towards him – leaving a trail of explosions in his wake.

"Leaf Hurricane!" Lee shouted out, leaping towards Deidara just as he and his creature hovered over the surface.

"Shit!" Deidara called out, flipping backwards onto his other bird – just barely missing the kick.

"Not so fast!" Tenten shouted, ripping open a scroll and letting loose several flying kunai at the fleeing Akatsuki member.

Turning to Sasuke, Lee nodded, "Leave this to Team Gai!"

"We'll help them! Get to Shikamaru!" Ino shouted as Chouji expanded his hands once more and started swatting the explosive birds away from their comrades.

Sasuke frowned but nodded before speeding back towards Shikamaru. Just as Sasuke skidded to a halt, Naruto and Sakura joined him next to the Nara twins.

Sakura extended her glowing hand towards Kanoko and frowned, "I can't break this genjutsu either…"

Shikamaru didn't respond. His sister always had an odd paranoia about genjutsus and as a result, had backups for backups in order to avoid being caught in one. So, if she hadn't already released herself from the genjutsu…

"What's the plan?" Naruto asked with a serious tone, locking eyes with Shikamaru.

Shikamaru paused as he looked over the scene. Closing his eyes for a moment, they snapped back open and looked towards Sasuke, "If I send the three of you, there's a chance one or all of you won't come back."

Sasuke paused. Onyx eyes shifted to where his teammates were helping Team Gai fight off Deidara and his endless army of exploding animals. Looking back at Shikamaru, he spoke, "I'm not going to let that man take anything else from me." Sasuke's fists tightened harshly before forcing his hands to relax and looking slowly towards Naruto, "How many clones can you make?"

Naruto blinked. His face shifted into a thoughtful look before looking up and mumbling numbers, "A lot."

Sasuke gave Naruto an annoyed look, "Idiot. That tells me nothing."

Shikamaru sighed as rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache come on, "Over a thousand." Shikamaru shifted his tired eyes to Sasuke, "What do you need?"

"Enough to piss off Itachi." Sasuke answered.

"Oh who's being vague now?! Huh?!" Naruto scoffed out with his arms crossed.

Sakura smirked, "So what you're saying is that you just need one."

Sasuke smirked while Naruto turned to Sakura with a slack jaw and a look of pure betrayal.

Shikamaru sighed again before ignoring the two on his left, "Sasuke, take Hinata, Kiba and…" Shikamaru looked over at Sakura before looking over at Shizune. "Sakura's strength is in medical jutsu and taijutsu, where Shizune is more of a distance fight – not to mention has more war experience." Shikamaru thought before finishing his earlier sentence, "…Shizune and search the area for the source of Kanoko's genjutsu." Shikamaru paused before looking Sasuke in the eye with a firm expression, "I'm not going to bother with a lecture. We all know that's more my sister's style than mine, but…" Shikamaru paused again, "She'd bury me alive in deer shit if I didn't remind you." Shikamaru's eyes shifted to Hinata and Kiba, "It's your job as team leader to bring your subordinates back alive, even if it means sacrificing something else."

Sasuke responded with a blank expression and a silent gaze before standing up straight and looking over at his teammates. After a moment, Sasuke's dark eyes settled on Kanoko's quivering form before speaking quietly, "I know. Like I said, I'm not letting him take anything else."

Shikamaru watched Sasuke for a moment longer before nodding and pulling out a scroll.

"Here." Shikamaru said, hold up the scroll towards Sasuke.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow.

Shikamaru smirked, "You're not the only one who thinks a thousand Narutos is our village's most deadly weapon."

Naruto grinned widely at his friend's statement before his eyes went wide, "Wait! Are you saying that you've been sealing my shadow clones in a scroll?! For how long?!"

Sasuke grabbed the scroll from Shikamaru and smirked back at him, "It's too bad Naruto doesn't still wear that eye blinding orange color. I'm sure my brother's Sharingan would start bleeding at the sight."

Shikamaru smirked in amusement, "You should be thanking me that I couldn't handle it anymore and burned all his clothes."

"You did WHAT?!" Naruto shouted, "That was you?! You're the reason I was forced to run around the around Fire Daimyo's palace in nothing but my froggy boxers?!"

Sasuke snorted in amusement at Naruto before dashing away from the area and towards his teammates – knowing time was of the essence.

Naruto gave Shikamaru a narrowed eyed look, "There's something seriously wrong with you."

Shikamaru lazily raised an eyebrow at Naruto before turning back to the fight ahead and drawling out, "It's hereditary."

Sakura coughed loudly to catch their attention, "Getting back to the slightly larger and life threatening problem at hand…"

Shikamaru nodded, his eyes following Sasuke, his team and Shizune as they speed off and out of sight, before closing his eyes and forming a circle with his hands. Only a couple moments passed before sharp brown eyes snapped open.

"We know Akatsuki members operate in pairs. We also know that Deidara of the sand is here as well as suspect Uchiha Itachi is somewhere in the area." Shikamaru paused for a moment as his eyes followed the enemy ahead as Team Gai continued to push him farther and farther away from Shikamaru's location – with the help of Ino and Chouji. Shifting his eyes to the horizon, Shikamaru spoke again, "We can also assume that Gai-sensei and Kakashi-sensei have run into another Akatsuki member."

"Why do you say that?" Sakura asked, her eyes peeled on the fight ahead – watching for any serious injuries.

"First…" Shikamaru started, "Kakashi-sensei told us he was only a couple miles out. That's equivalent to a few minutes for a shinobi – especially those two. Add in the fact that both are not responding to their radios…" Shikamaru placed Kanoko gently on the ground and slowly stood up, "Nothing less than an S-ranked shinobi is going to keep them from making their way to our location."

"It could be Itachi." Naruto suggested.

Shikamaru place his hand over his forearm – activating the seal as he continued, "It's possible, but it would make more tactical sense for Itachi to stay out of the battle in order to focus on keeping Kanoko grounded." Shikamaru pulled out three scrolls from the seal on his arm before unraveling one and dropping it on the ground, "My guess is we're facing two groups, or four Akatsuki members, in total."

Naruto nodded thoughtfully, "That's why Gaara isn't over here fighting too. They're caught up with another Akatsuki member."

Shikamaru nodded, "Exactly."

"So…" Sakura started, "What's the plan then?"

Shikamaru pushed chakra into foot and pressed it on the center of the rolled out scroll below. Lines of sealing calligraphy formed a hexagon shape around Kanoko. As the lines met up at the final point, the calligraphy glowed orange before creating a field barrier around the hissing Nara.

Shikamaru tossed Naruto the two scrolls in his hands and turned his head slightly to Sakura and smirked, "How about we fight fire with fire?"

Sakura blinked before grinning wickedly and cracking her knuckles, "Taichou isn't going to be happy with me if she hears I abandoned my post and joined the fight." Sakura's green eyes shifted to the multiple explosions ahead, "But with Kanoko out, there's no one to stop me!"

Without another word, Sakura raced off towards the fight – her hands rapidly running through hand signs as she ran.

Naruto threw his hands in the air and gave Shikamaru an incredulous look, "Thanks Shikamaru. Now I have to be the responsible member of Team Kakashi! You know I hate that!"

Shikamaru smirked with amused eyes, "I know." And with that, Shikamaru took off at a similar speed as the pinkette before him.

Naruto let out a loud groan before turning his blue eyes to Kanoko's tossing form. Naruto straightened his back as his eyes hardened at the sight, "Keep fighting Kanoko. I haven't broken my promise to you, so don't you dare break your promise to me."

And with that, Naruto flared his chakra and shot towards the fight ahead – sending sand fly up at the force.

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"Sasuke! There's a seal underneath the Nara insignia on my arm-!" Kanoko tried shouting to the Uchiha as the scene before her started to fade away.

"Sasuke! Uchiha!" Kanoko called out again before cursing loudly, "Dammit!" The former Hokage flailed slightly as the walls started to spin and the ground began to sway. Kanoko growled quietly with building rage as she was forced to her hands and knees. The room started spinning more rapidly – colors mixing and lights flashing.

Kanoko's hands shot up to her pounding head and squeezed her eyes shut, "Hold yourself together! It's a genjutsu! Are you really going to let some infant play with your mind like this?!" Kanoko slowly opened one eye –squinting as she did – and tried to focus on something, anything to help her concentrate on getting out of this mess.

"What the…" Kanoko muttered as she slowly dropped her hands from her head and looked around the area. The light and peaceful chatter of passing civilians was the first thing caught Kanoko's attention before she took a closer look at her surroundings. Light tan, well packed dirt at her feet, cedar houses and business framing the road, fleeting shadows hopping from roof to roof, and the smell of various restaurants – particularly ramen. Even if this wasn't the same road Kanoko traveled day in and day out in order to deliver her father's lunch while he was in the office, Tobirama knew the feeling of the home he created with his brother.

She was standing in the middle of Konoha's busiest street – the one leading to the Hokage's tower.

"It's a genjutsu." Kanoko reminded herself with a frown firmly on her face, "While you are here, dreaming of a fake home, your comrades – your family – are likely fighting for their lives." Kanoko's reddish orange eyes narrowed suspiciously at the people passing her, "What is their intent in bringing me here? What purpose does it serve? Either they have underestimated my resolve or…"

Kanoko started walking down the dirt road towards a shop she frequently passed. The Nara stopped right where the shop should be and was unsurprised to find it boarded up.

"This place has been boarded up for years and only just recently opened in the last year." Kanoko thought before turning around surveying her surroundings once more, "Based on who we are up against, I am not surprised that the Uchiha would appear, but I wanted to be certain…" Kanoko continued to look around, "The detail of this genjutsu… the smells, the sounds, the little quirks about Konoha… no Uchiha I have ever faced has been so… meticulous. It is no wonder this Uchiha was considered to be a genius among his clan."

"Noko-chan…"

Kanoko turned her head to the left with a curious look on her face. As her eyes settled on the tall, broad-shouldered man they narrowed in a threatening manner, "Your arrogance astounds me, Uchiha. Do you believe your skills so great that you would be able to imitate a man that I have known from birth or do you hold my own intelligence in such low regard?"

Shikaku's eyes hardened for a moment – turning an even dark shade of brown than before – before dropping his shoulders and staring down at Kanoko with a pained expression, "Why?"

Kanoko paused, her gaze locked onto the illusion before her, before scoffing loudly and turning her head away, "Enough with this farce. I will not play along in this demented doll house you have concocted."

"Kanoko!" Shikaku bellowed with a deep, commanding voice – making Kanoko flinch slightly out of sheer instinct. "This isn't some illusion! You can't pretend anymore!"

The former Hokage resisted rolling her eyes. Instead, she swiftly turned from her 'father' and started walking away from the 'village', "I need to figure out a way to escape this ridiculous-"

"NARA KANOKO!" A familiar woman's voice shrieked loudly.

Kanoko looked up to see Yoshino standing just a couple yards away with her hands on her hips and a scary look on her face, "You sit your butt down right now, little missy!"

Kanoko's eyebrows shot up before slowly blinking at the woman, "What'd I do?" Kanoko quickly shook her head and berated herself, "It's a genjutsu, you idiot! Keep your mind focus on the task at hand!" Turning her hardened eyes away, Kanoko quickly jaunted forward passed her 'mother' without another look.

"KANOKO!"

"Noko-chan…"

Kanoko gritted her teeth and continued to push forward – her nerves starting twitch in frustration. Everything felt so real and it was slowly driving her insane. The way they spoke, the manner in which they moved... Kanoko could even smell the earthy scent Shikaku always wore from spending his free time in the Nara's forest and the soft, lavender smell Yoshino always had floating around her, no matter the circumstances.

The precious seconds Kanoko took to try to prove to herself that it was all an illusion only worked against her – tricking her mind into thinking maybe, just maybe…

Kanoko let her nails dig into her palms as she swiftly and harshly trudged through the streets of Konoha.

"Kanoko."

The Nara in questioned stilled abruptly. "Run. Get out of here. Run, dammit, run!" Kanoko's mind screamed at her, but her body wouldn't move. She was paralyzed. Shifting her eyes down, Kanoko almost screamed out loud in frustration.

Struggling against the hold of her family's signature jutsu, Kanoko couldn't stop her body from turning around and facing the one person she wanted to see the least.

Dull, half lidded brown eyes met reddish-orange. Kanoko gritted her teeth in a mix of anger and apprehension.

"Kanoko." The familiar dull voice of her brother called out lightly to her again.

One foot lifted off the ground and took a single step forward. Kanoko couldn't stop her body from mimicking the move and stepping forward at the same time. Kanoko growled low before spitting out another insult, "You insufferable brat! Nothing you say or have them do will have the effect you desire and only serves to fuel my anger!"

The Shikamaru in front of her sighed heavily before dropping his shoulders with his hands in his pockets and looking up towards the sky. Dull eyes slowly drifted down towards Kanoko, boring into her.

Kanoko gritted her teeth painfully and she continued to struggle against the illusion. Looking down towards the shadow connecting the two of them, Kanoko cursed aggressively in her head, "That insufferable, arrogant, little piece of shit of some Uchiha bastard… When I get my hands on him…"

"Why didn't you tell us?"

Kanoko snapped her eyes up and struggled to twist her head around, only to see her 'father' approach from behind her. His eyes were casted down and his whole posture screamed defeat and depression.

"Do… you hate us?"

Angry red eyes snapped to her right. Walking slowly towards them was her 'mother' – walking tall and confidently as always, but with a deep and painful frown on her face.

"Did we even matter to you?"

Kanoko slowly forced her eyes back to the person in front of her: Shikamaru.

Kanoko quickly averted her eyes away. Her father's pained look she could take and her mother's disappointed look only caused her chest to tighten, but the look on her brother's face…

Betrayal. His eyes were screaming the word over and over at her.

"Why didn't you tell us?!" Shikaku gritted out, his tone getting harsher with each word.

Kanoko didn't lift her eyes from the ground. She just continued to stare blankly at the pressed dirt beneath her feet.

*SLAP*

"Don't you ignore me boy!" A gruffer, deeper voice spoke from the same direction as her father.

Orange eyes widened as a mix of fear and dread started growing in the pit of her stomach. Kanoko couldn't stop herself as she slowly moved her head towards Shikaku. Her eyes widened further as Shikaku's image was replaced with another person she longed to never see again.

Standing tall with his arms crossed, eyes sharp and narrowed in disgust, and a permanent frown on his face – looking down at Kanoko with such anger and hatred – was Senju Butsuma, her father – her first father.

Kanoko could stop the flood of emotions running through her – pain, anger, fear, confusion, shock.

"How? HOW?!" Kanoko repeated in her head. Wide, pinpoint reddish orange eyes swept over the man before her, "HOW?!"

"Look at you…" A voice to her left spoke, raspier and quieter than the boisterous one of Yoshino, "Still a little boy, pretending to be a man. At least Hashirama never tried to fake what he was not."

"No… it's impossible…" Kanoko thought, in a small semblance of hope as her rigid body turned towards the voice.

Long, choppy silver hair greeted her eyes first before orange-reddish eyes locked with deep blood red ones. Draped in a dark, royal blue cloak with white fur around the top, bottom, and ends, Senju Himiko stood tall and proud. Back straight, hands folded neatly in front of her and her chin held up high – Tobirama's mother was the physical form of proper etiquette with a chilling demeanor.

Kanoko couldn't pull her eyes away from the sight, "What trickery is this?! How could he possibly know what she looked like, let alone…" Kanoko's eyes moved over the woman again. She was exactly how he remembered her – all the way down to the look in her eyes.

Kanoko quickly squeezed her eyes shut and fell to her knees – her fingers grasping at the hair on her head and pulling harshly, "No, no, NO! She's dead. He's dead. They're both dead! Breathe Tobirama, breathe!"

"What have you done?" A different voice spoke above Kanoko – this one tight and almost quivering, as if he was suffering, "What have you done, Tobirama?!"

*thump thump*

Kanoko's heart stopped for a second before slowly starting to beat painfully.

"No…" Kanoko mumbled underneath her breathe.

"Tobirama! What have you done?!" The male voice called out in pain as a thick and familiar chakra flooded her senses.

"No!" Kanoko roared out as her heart started to beep rapidly and even more painfully. Her thin hand quickly grasped the material over her chest and twisted it in her hand. It felt like her chest was going to explode any second and she couldn't control her breathing. The sounds of her heavy panting reached her ears and her whole body felt like it was on fire.

"LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE!"

Red, glazed eyes snapped open and looked up at the yelling figure.

Hashirama. Her brother.

The man she always looked up to even when she thought he was being foolish. Tobirama always envied his brother heart. So pure, so true, so full of hope. Nothing ever put a dent in it, not like him, not like her. Everything took a piece of him; of her. Every nick, every scar he carried around – carefully concealed but always there.

Just a good drop away from shattering into a million pieces.

Flames raged around Kanoko, snapping her from her thoughts. Kanoko's eyes fixated on dark shadows dancing before her. Slowly her gaze moved through the area – a completely petrified look growing on her face. The sky was painted blood red as the flames grew to greater height and raced through the village. The screams of villagers burning alive echoed in her ears as the mix smell of burning flesh and wood filled her senses. Women and children ran through the streets – trying desperately to get out and away – only to be silenced as burning buildings fell into the streets – crushing anyone daring to escape. In the distance, Kanoko could make out the sounds of metal meeting metal and children crying out loudly for their parents – only for the sounds to be silenced suddenly with pitched screams.

*thump thump*

Kanoko's body shook slightly as the pain in her chest grew. She willed her body to move, to get up and put the fires out, to destroy the fools who dared attack her people, to end this continuous suffering around her, to save her home, to save her friends, to save her family.

But she was frozen.

"Everything… all of this… it's all. Your. Fault." Hashirama spoke again, his tone harsher than she ever remembers it being, "I asked you, no begged you to look past your own insecurities and give them a chance, but you chose to treat them like animals! I begged you! Why didn't you listen?! Why did you disrespect me so completely?! Not just me, but everyone in this village that made the mistake of trusting you?! How could you just let your hatred get in the way?!"

Kanoko opened her mouth to answer but nothing came out. A thick wave of dread and fear swept through her as she realized her couldn't speak, couldn't form words. Choking on her own spit, Kanoko desperately tried to speak, but the only thing that left her throat was a series of gasps and choking sounds.

"Trust?" The familiar drawl of youngest brother drifted to her ears from behind her, "What would she even know about the word? She's never trusted a single person in her life."

Kanoko turned her head, flinching slightly as cold, dead, brown eyes stared blankly at her.

Shikamaru's expression didn't change as he spoke, "Not her best friend…"

"GHAAAAH!" A familiar voice wailed out, causing Kanoko to snap her head around. Her heart squeezed harshly and suddenly at the flash of blond hair and orange jumpsuit being stabbed several times from behind before falling over and catching on fire.

"Not her teammates…"

A high pitched scream ripped through the air and pierced Kanoko's chest. Her red eyes quickly shifted towards the sound – only to see a combination of pink and silver hair peek out from beneath the rubble of a fallen building.

"Not her comrades…"

More screams, more blood, more shots through her heart – each one causing more damage than the last.

"Not her family…"

Kanoko quickly slapped her hands over her ears and shut her eyes. She had to block it out, she had to. She wouldn't be able to take it, not them, not her family.

Her action proved fruitless as the deep cry of Shikaku followed by the wail of Yoshino slipped through fingers and echoed in her brain.

"And certainly not me, her brother, her twin, her 'so-called' everything…"

His voice felt closer this time, prompting Kanoko to slowly open her eyes. Crouch in front of her with a dull and bored expression on his face, Shikamaru slowly lifted a hand towards Kanoko. The calloused and cold hand lightly brushed the side of her face.

"Perhaps I am the fool for never seeing the truth." Shikamaru spoke plainly, "There was rarely a question you didn't know the answer to – even by Nara standards. You never associated well with the rest of us – even adults you treated as if they were children. Your fighting style, your techniques, your secret and forbidden abilities – you were practically screaming out your true identity to everyone."

Shikamaru retracted his hand from his sister's cheek before nodding slowly – his bored and tired look never leaving his face – before speaking again, "Yes, I can see it clearly now. How you must have laughed at me when my back was turned. Every smirk, every bit of praise, every kind word – I thought you were communicating compassion, telling me that you cared, but I can see clearly now. Every time you smirked, you were laughing at my naivety; every time you praised me, you were mocking my abilities; every time you said something that made my heart flutter in happiness, you were playing with me – seeing just how far you could take this farce."

Shikamaru's eyes darkened as he stood up from his crouched position – looking down at Kanoko with such disdain. His eyes thinned as his mouth curled into an angry scowl, "It's time you paid for your actions. No longer will you be allowed to ruin the lives of those around you. No longer will you be able to grow hatred in this world. No longer will your miserable existence be allowed to scar this fragile world we are all subjected to live in."

Kanoko flinched visibly as thick, tanned arms wrapped around her from behind. Snapping her head to the side, Kanoko's eyes widened as she was met with the hard and cold eyes belonging to her eldest brother, Hashirama.

"You took every action possible to destroy the peace Madara and I created." Hashirama hissed at her, "But no more."

Kanoko felt a surge of dark chakra pulse in front of her, forcing her gaze back towards Shikamaru, only to hiss in pain as his hard fist connected with her jaw.

*BAM*

Another of his fists slammed into her face, making her head snap to the other side and causing blood to fly from her bleeding nose.

*BAM*

"Traitor!"

More blood spilled from her face as her lip split open from the force of the punch.

*BAM*

"Liar!"

Kanoko squeaked out a cry of pain his chakra filled fist slammed into her stomach.

*BAM*

"Murderer!"

"GHAAAH!" Kanoko screamed out as Shikamaru smashed his foot into her knee – shattering the bone.

A rough and blood stained hand reached forward and wrapped tightly around Kanoko's throat. Kanoko quickly started to struggle against Hashirama's tight hold as she gasped for air. Shikamaru leaned forward on his knees to get more leverage as he brought his other hand up and squeezed even hard on Kanoko's exposed throat.

Kanoko started bucking against her restraints – her uninjured leg thrashing around and her body twisting desperately back and forth.

"Sh-sh-shi-ka-ma-" Kanoko tried to cry out as she felt her windpipe being crushed.

Her cries fell on deaf ears and her vision started to blur – the lack of oxygen finally overtaking her will to live.

Dull red eyes slowly drifted up and back, but not before catching another pair of red eyes.

"You should have listened to my warning…" Uchiha Itachi spoke, standing tall and imposing before her, "You should have left Sasuke alone."

Kanoko's eyes slowly drifted close – the last bits of her will forcing them to stay open, if even only for a moment longer.

The swirling of black on red was the last thing she saw before everything went black.

"Goodbye Hokage-sama. I am sorry it had to come to this."

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"Gai! On your left!" Kakashi shouted while leaping in the air.

Gai quickly turned his head before grunting as he dodged another large burst of water shaped as a shark. Using the momentum, Gai swiftly spun his lower body in the air and swung his leg towards the tall, blue skinned Akatsuki member.

"Hehe…" Kisame chuckled out lowly as he placed his sword between him and the Leaf nin's kick. Dark blue spikes emerged from the bandaged blade and laid in wait for the unsuspecting ninja to make contact.

Gai's dark eyes sharpened and quickly paused in his movements – his orange leg warmers just a hair away from the dark spikes.

"Chidori!"

Kisame's wicked grin grew as Kakashi's lightning jutsu narrowed in on the Akatsuki member. "You're going to make a wonderful meal for Samehada!" Kisame bellowed out with a deep laugh as he swung the sword at Kakashi's chakra infused fist.

Just as the two were about to make contact, Kakashi's form fizzled out in a smooth cloud of smoke.

"What the-" Kisame hissed out with an irritated look.

"Asakujaku!" Gai roared, sending punch after fiery punch at Kisame's turned back.

"GHAH!" The former Mist assassin called out in pain before tightening his grip on his sword and absorbing the chakra from the blade and using it to strengthen his skin against the vicious attack.

Kakashi's Sharingan focused on the sword starting to breach from behind it's bandages, "Have to remember to avoid that sword…" Kakashi shifted his eyes from Gai back to the shark-like nin before pulling out several throwing knives and aiming them right towards Kisame.

The Akatsuki quickly swung his sword around and knocked the projectiles away, but hissed out in annoyance when he noticed a shadow curve around his sword. Three throwing stars ripped into Kisame's cloak and drew blood.

Kisame leaped back and away from the pair, leaving the three of them to stand off in silence – each trying to anticipate the next attack.

Kisame clicked his teeth in annoyance, "Itachi wasn't lying when he said these two would be… difficult." Kisame's eyes shifted over to Gai, "He's fast. Really fast." The former Mist nin rolled his shoulder to ease some of the soreness, "And hits hard." Kisame's eyes drifted over to the silver haired nin, "Hatake Kakashi, the copycat ninja… With his Sharingan sucking all his chakra, so long as I can get a good hit in with Samehada, he'll be as good as dead!" Kisame grinned as he raised one hand in front of him to make a seal.

Kakashi's Sharingan eye narrowed, "Talk about a face I was hoping never to see again…"

"Hoshigaki Kisame." Gai called out with a frown, "Doesn't that mean-"

"Yeah." Kakashi replied, his eyes still narrowed on the Akatsuki member before them, "That means Sasuke was right, or at least, the odds of Itachi being involved just raised considerably."

"Then it's time I repay him for last time." Gai answered while taking a stance and focusing his body's chakra.

Kakashi nodded slowly before shifting his eyes out to the horizon. The smoke over by where the Demon Desert Outpost once stood had not died down, but in fact, had grown tenfold. Kakashi's eyes hardened, "Our coms were destroyed by Kisame's water sharks, so I don't even know what we'd be stepping into." Kakashi's eye met Gai's for a second before quickly focusing back on the enemy before them.

Gai nodded before smirking confidently at his longtime rival, "I can hold him off."

Kakashi's grip around his kunai tightened before asking slowly, "Are you sure Gai?"

Gai nodded again before adding with a serious voice, "Lee, Neji, Tenten… Sakura, Kanoko and Naruto, even Kurenai and Asuma's squads, they have something special. They have the gift of perseverance, and that's what makes them true geniuses!" Gai proclaimed proudly before pausing, his eyes focusing on the chuckling shinobi before them, "I have faith they will come out of this victorious and even stronger than before, but…"

Kakashi nodded with a small smile, "It's still our jobs as sensei to watch over them. To be there, if they need us, but to always be there regardless."

Gai grinned widely and held up a thumbs up, "Leave this to me!"

Kakashi nodded lightly before stepping back and pulling his headband down to conserve chakra.

Kisame's grin fell slightly at the copy nin's movements, "Underestimating me now?" The nin snorted, "You're mistake. Water Style: Exploding Water Shockwave!"

"Get out of here Kakashi!" Gai shouted before bellowing out, "Inner Eight Gates! The Sixth Gate of Joy: Open!"

Kakashi paused but nodded one last time before speeding out of the area.

"No you don't!" Kisame shouted, "Summoning Jutsu!" A large blue and white shark shot out from behind the cloud of smoke in front of Kisame, using the crushing tidal waves from Kisame's previous jutsu to shoot towards Kakashi.

Kakashi quickly dashed to the side and spun around, already forming hand signs rapidly, but stopped suddenly when a familiar green figured appeared before him.

"Your opponent is me!" Gai shouted before screaming out a battle call and slamming his fist viciously down on the shark's head – sending it flying back to its own before proofing back to the realm in which it came.

Kakashi sent Gai a look of thanks before dashing off again – this time making it out of sight before Kisame could start on another attack.

The blue skinned nin glared at the glowing Leaf nin before showing his teeth with another wicked smile, "You're going to regret facing me on your own."

Gai's eyes narrowed as he took another stance, "My only regret is the time we wasted here." Gai tried to relax his shoulders to relieve some of the tense and stress filled pressure they were under.

"I can only hope we didn't waste too much time."

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Author's Note:

So… …. …. My bad…

SORRY! *beats one's self* I'm not going to lie, I lost my mojo for a while there. I couldn't focus my brain, I was almost terrified to write, I barely even wrote WORK emails – that's how completely unmotivated I was. And I tried and I tried to get back into it, but after 30k worth of poorly written dialogues, fight scenes, plot twists, I just knew I couldn't post any of it. It wasn't good, it didn't come from a better version of me – it came from the desperate, frustrated side of my brain and you guys deserve better.

And so four months passed. And it slowly drove me insane.

But I'm back. I'm back for good! I've got my mojo back, got my shit together and let me tell you, you guys are in for a ride!

To anyone still around, I just want to say:

THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART! Thank you for not giving up on me or this story, thank you for not plotting my death in several different ways, and thank you for reading, reviewing, following, or favorite-ing Second Time's the Charm! I would have let this story slide a loooong time ago if it wasn't for you guys. You've pushed me to be better and write better and that has been sooo rewarding and sooo invaluable.

You guys are amazing.

.

P.S. HUUUGE shout out to my beta who hasn't kicked me to the curb yet, but may have caused my early death via some wickedness called "slow-cooker-cheesecake-recipe".