Hi Everyone! Forgive me for the time between updates. I finally finished my Master program, so I've had more time to get back into writing. Also, Hurricane Irma has provided me with a bit of free time as well! I promise, I will not leave the story incomplete no matter what! Hope you enjoy this chapter, reviews are always appreciated! - Nel =]

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It was late, or rather, early when the last of the teams had taken off for there positions. The five Kage, and Anbu were evenly spaced out along the cliffs of the island, patiently awaiting the arrival of the enemy. An eerie mist had rolled in around 4am and settled over the area, limiting visibility. Everyone was tense, watching, waiting. The calm before the storm was nearly unbearable. Kakashi, Guy, and Yamato were standing watch on different sides of the turtle, Naruto and B, were located dead center of the island inside the temple. Naruto was pacing back and forth within the temple annoyed by the fact that he didn't get to be out there with the others. He understood why, but that didn't piss him off any less. It was going to take him and Sasuke attacking this opponent together to succeed, there would be no other way. Naruto let out a frustrated sigh and sat down in the middle of the room. This pacing was getting him no where. He started to meditate, taking the remaining time before all hell broke loose to gather nature chakra.

XXX

Kakashi's brow wrinkled as he stared into the thick fog that had settled over the area. He wouldn't be the slightest bit surprised if it turned out to be a jutsu of the enemy. Kakashi squinted in the fog as if it would help him to see better, which, big surprise, didn't help at all. He sighed, at least Yamato hadn't let him go back on his word. As soon as the boat carrying Shizune had reached the shore Yamato had elbowed him and waggled his eyebrows in a creepy, yet encouraging way. Once everyone had arrived and the meeting between the Kage had started he had pulled Shizune aside to somewhere more private. Once they were away from prying eyes Shizune had thrown her arms around him.

"Kakashi! I'm so glad you're okay." He returned the hug with equal passion.

"There is something I want to talk to you about." Shizune put just enough distance between them so she could look him in the eye.

"Okay, but first, let me see that handsome face of yours." She smiled as she tugged his mask away from his face. A gentle smile formed on his lips as the mask fell away.

"Ah, now that's better. So tell me, what's on your mind?" Kakashi tried to calm his nerves enough to speak but the harder he tried the worse he got. Shizune gave him a puzzled look. She could tell there was something he wanted to get off his chest but he was failing miserably. "Calm down Kakashi, it's just me. Tell me what's wrong."

"Nothings wrong. It's just..I...well..." He stuttered out words but couldn't seem to form a coherent sentence.

"I've never seen you like this, are you sure nothing is wrong?" Shizune was starting to get concerned, she had never seen Kakashi so frazzled. She was about to start checking him medically when he blurted something out that caused her to completely freeze. She stared at him for a few moments before responding with the only thing she could think of. "What?"

"Marry me." Kakashi gently cupped her face is his hands and continued. "I love you Shizune, I know this is sudden, and the timing couldn't be worse, but would you give me the honor of being my wife?" Shizune's eyes continued to grow in size as his question sunk in and she realized he was serious.

"Are you...are you sure?" Shizune mentally slapped herself for not coming up with anything better than "Are you sure?".

"Yes, I've never been more sure...so what do you say? I know I don't have a ring, but no one knows how this battle will turn out, and I had to ask you, and make sure you know how much I love you." Shizune stared into his eye for a long moment before tears started to form in her eyes.

"Oh Kakashi, yes, of course yes!" Shizune wrapped her arms around his neck as he pulled her into a kiss. They separated for moment and Kakashi let a sigh of relief. He sunk to the ground pulling Shizune down with him. Startled, she called out his named as she was pulled to the ground, but it quickly turned to laughter.

"Phew, I'm so glad you said yes." Kakashi said from his sprawled out position on the ground. Shizune laying on top of him.

"A huge battle on the horizon and this is what you were nervous about?" Shizune asked between giggles. Kakashi nodded.

"Compared to fighting, that was way more nerve racking." Shizune gave him a soft smile.

"I guess I had better start planning."

Kakashi smirked under his mask as he thought back to the few tender moments they had been able to share before having to head back to the rest of the group. The plan was to make everything official once they got back to the village. Kakashi forced the gushy, fuzzy, happy feelings he was having to the back of his mind and focused back on the mission that was before him. It would all be over soon.

XXX

Suigetsu rested comfortably on the bottom of the ocean floor at the entrance to island. He had been positioned there to provide an advance warning of the enemies arrival. Sai was patrolling the air so that all possible directions of approach were covered. It became even more important when that wretched fog had rolled in about half an hour ago. The only way the enemy could come would be by water or air. The shinobi on the ground would have no way of knowing the enemy was there until they were right upon them due to the low visibility. His and Sai's ability to see them coming first could be the difference of life and death for their comrades. Suigetsu tried to quiet his nerves and slow his heart rate down so that he could focus on surveillance. Due to the experiments that Orochimaru had conducted on him, he had an extremely keen sense of smell as well as the ability to use echolocation. Underwater, he was the king. Suigetsu stilled himself and listened closely, everything was silent. He sighed internally. Maybe they are coming by air, it's completely quiet down here. Just as he was finishing his thought he realized that was the problem. The ocean was totally silent. He didn't smell any other sea life in the area or find anything using his echolocation. Something wasn't right. Suigetsu focused his senses even more on listening for any kind of sound. A few moments past before he picked up on some vibrations coming from the sea floor, he hadn't noticed that before. As he honed in on the vibrations more and more, he began to realize that it extended over a huge area, almost like a tiny earth quake across the seafloor. Suigetsu took off toward Kakashi.

Kakashi didn't flinch when Suigetsu popped out of the water in front of him.

"Kakashi, somethings not right." Suigetsu shook the water out of his hair as he climbed onto the bank. "The ocean is completely quiet, unnaturally quiet. I'm not sensing any sea life in the area. It's as if they've fled." Kakashi gave Suigetsu a nod.

"Alert the others. The enemy is close."

"One more thing, whoever this guy is, brought someone, or something big along with him. Nothing else would make the sea creatures flee. Something is coming from underground. I will keep listening for any sign of something that could have caused such a disturbance." With a final nod, Suigetsu disappeared into the water.

XXX

"There's the island." Zetsu announced.

"You act as if we can see anything within this damn fog Kisame created." Sasuke complained.

"Would you rather we were spotted?" Zetsu hissed.

"Enough." Madara raised a hand. "We need to be ready. Sasuke and I should be able to handle the two jinchuriki's, but it will be up to you two and the army to keep other enemies off of us. Understand?" Zetsu and Kisame nodded. "If we're lucky we will be able to use the fog cover to slip in and out unnoticed and not even have to lift a finger." Sasuke smirked internally as he thought about the surprise waiting for the bastard at the island. Luck most certainly was not on his side today.

"You know as well as I that you are not going to get in and out of here without being detected." Sasuke stated in his usual uninterested tone.

"That's why I always have a back up plan Sasuke. And a back up plan for that, so on and so forth."

"Tch. Whatever."

"As communicative as always Sasuke." Madara said sarcastically. Sasuke replied by rolling his eyes.

"Your first plan has one major flaw, Madara, if that's even your real name." Sasuke gave Madara one of his best glares. "Actually, I would say your first few plans likely have this same major flaw."

"And what would that be?"

"My help." Sasuke's reply silenced Madara and the air around them grew tense. "If you recall, I never agreed to join you. I've held up my end of the bargain by leading you to the two tailed beasts. I have no interest in further involvement with your plots." Madara's next words came out as a low growl.

"You will be making me your enemy Sasuke, I won't hesitate to kill you." Sasuke laughed at Madara's threat and stood up in the boat.

"Will you now? And alert the elite team of shinobi and two jinchuriki's of you presence? And face me and the tailed beasts at the same time? Even you aren't so foolish." Madara disappeared and reappeared behind Sasuke with a kunai at his throat. "Tch. How predictable." Madara turned to see Sasuke standing beside him, he had been tricked by a genjutsu. He shook with rage.

"You will regret this day Sasuke Uchiha, once my plans are complete, I will come for you." Sasuke simply smirked as he stepped out onto the water and disappeared into the fog. Madara moved to stand at the front of the boat. His rage boiling over, he was ready to kill, he wanted nothing more in this moment than to bring pain, and suffering, and death to all those who stood in opposition of him. He would crush them. He would crush them all.

XXX

Kakashi got into fighting stance as he heard footsteps approaching. Ready for whatever would come at him from the thick fog. When Sasuke slid to a stop in front of him, he was pleasantly surprised.

"Sasuke!"

"Kakashi! He's here, and he has brought an army with him, I don't know how large, but it's underground."

"Underground huh? So Suigetsu was rig..." Sasuke interrupted Kakashi.

"Where's Naruto?" Kakashi pointed towards the temple. Sasuke gave him a nod of thanks and disappeared back into the fog. It only took him a few seconds to reach the temple and he made his way inside. When he reached the inner room, he saw Naruto in the center of the room in a deep state of meditation. Killer B standing guard by his side. Sasuke slowly entered the room.

"Naruto..." His eyes popped open at the sound of his name. When his eyes met Sasuke's they lit up with happiness and excitement, a smile forming on his face.

"Sasuke!" He stood on his feet and was about to dash forwards when his face turned more serious. "If you're here, then that means..." Sasuke nodded.

"He is only minutes behind me, if that, and he is bringing an army." Naruto let out an exasperated sigh at Sasuke's words.

"This is no time to lose focus." He walked forward and wrapped his arms around Sasuke who returned the embrace. "But I am so glad to see you. It's time that we end this and go home." They pulled apart and placed their foreheads together.

"It seems you've matured some since you've been gone." They both chuckled at Sasuke's words. With a smirk Naruto reached down and grabbed his butt causing their groins to rub together. Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Maybe I spoke to soon."

"Just kiss me you stupid bastard." Naruto moved his hands to either side of Sasuke's face and pulled him into a passionate kiss. Sasuke thought about all of the nights he had missed him, all of the time he had spent thinking about him. He could hardly believe how hard he had fallen, and how glad he was that he did. He had been so full of hate, and loneliness. He never would have guessed in a thousand years that things would have turned out this way, but now that he was here, he couldn't think of anything better. He kissed Naruto back with the same passion, pouring all his pent up emotion into it and hoping Naruto would understand. Their kiss quickly morphed into a make out session, hands grabbing, and tongues exploring. Sasuke picked Naruto up and he wrapped his legs around him, their lip lock never breaking. He pushed him up against the temple wall and their moans filled the chamber. God they had missed each other, more than either would care to admit, but both could tell by their desperate need to be close to the other. Before things could get any more out of hand they were interrupted by B.

"Yo, yo, yo, I'm still here ya kno! It's time to go, we got to kill a real nasty bro! Yow!" Naruto's face turned a deep shade of red and he buried his face is Sasuke's shoulder, who simply smirked and allowed Naruto's feet to slip back down to the floor.

"Uh, sorry B hehe." Naruto scratched the back of his head as he awkwardly apologized for the display of affection B had just seen.

"No problem my brotha, you two love eachotha! Yow!" Sasuke snorted slightly has he tried not to laugh at B's terrible rap, and the look of embarrassment on Naruto's face. Naruto slapped his forehead.

"Come on! Let's just get ready, he will be here any second!" Naruto stormed out of the temple.

The three stood outside of the temple ready for anything that might come their way. Sasuke had on his typical look of disinterest, and his nonchalant attitude in case the look alone wasn't enough. His entire demeanor screamed you aren't worth my time. Naruto had a look of sheer determination, and an over confident attitude as though he was celebrating a victory, not waiting for the beginning a battle. Killer B, had a huge grin on his face that tied into the aura of crazy that he gave off. Something about his demeanor made him seem a little bit off, nothing someone could pinpoint, but enough for them to know he's dangerous. The three of them stood together, ready to draw blood from whoever dared to challenge them.

XXX

Madara had just made it into the bay when Zetsu appeared in the water. "What are your orders?"

"Forget going unnoticed. Send in the first wave...and Zetsu, tell our good friend Kabuto to prepare to use the reanimation jutsu." Zetsu nodded before vanishing back into the water. A few moments later the ground began to shake and the sea began to churn causing the turtle to rock back and forth somewhat violently. Suddenly, white Zetsu burst through the ground covering the crescent island in an instant. Hundreds of them flowed from the ground like ants from an anthill. Yamato, Guy, and Kakashi all appeared in front of Naruto, Sasuke, and B.

"This is not good. There are hundreds of enemies out there and we can hardly see a thing. We need to get eyes on Madara." Everyone nodded in agreement with Kakashi's words.

"I think I can clear away the fog using wind style."

"That's a good idea Naruto, except it will give away your exact position." Naruto got a mischievous grin on his face.

"Then it's an even better idea." Naruto took off for the top of the temple.

"Na, Naruto!" Kakashi called after him. He let out a sigh and shook his head knowing full well Naruto was not going to come back. "So much for the original plan of concealing Naruto's location." Once that boy got an idea in his head, there was no changing his mind. Kakashi looked over at Sasuke who just shrugged and took off after Naruto. "Those two...who would've thought..." Kakashi mumbled to himself. "Alright, Yamato, Guy, B, as soon as this fog is cleared we are going to be in for the fight of our lives, everyone ready?" Yamato nodded, B gave him a thumbs up and Guy was bent over in a corner puking his guts out.

"Just a...moment...Kakashi." Guy managed to get a few words out between all of his gagging and retching. "A momentary...bout...of...sickness...seems to have...come over me."

Kakashi slapped his forehead. "He's sea sick, the turtle rocking back and forth is making him sea sick. Well this is no good. Go fight on land Guy, you'll be no good here so long as the seas are causing the turtle to rock this much."

"Sounds like a plan Kakashi! I will support you from the shores! Fight with the power of YOU..." The last part of Guy's sentence was cut off by more vomit.

XXX

"So, what's our strategy?" Naruto didn't bother turning around as Sasuke walked up behind him.

"I will be the speed and you will be the strength. His only weakness is that he has to materialize whenever he attacks, but even so, he is incredibly fast. I'll use transformation jutsu to look like you, so when you create shadow clones I can blend right in. Then you draw his attention by hitting him with a barrage of attacks, this guy starts to make mistakes when he is not in complete control of the situation and things start to not go his way. If we can get him angry, and then give him an opening, he will be so focused on his attack, and killing you, that he won't see me coming."

"Sound like a plan." Naruto looked over at Sasuke and gave him his signature smile and got into a wide stance. "Let's do this! Rasen Shuriken!" A ball of chakra immediately began to form in the palm of Naruto's hand, four sharp points appeared as he incorporated his wind nature into it. As the spinning ball of chakra gained speed it became impossible to see the blades at all. Naruto held the Rasen Shuriken above his head. "Expand!" In an instant it had quadrupled in size. Sasuke nearly got decapitated. Sasuke squatted beside Naruto and moved chakra to the soles of his feet to hold himself to the top of the temple as the gargantuan wind shuriken began to suck in the air around it, pulling the fog with it. As the intense fog began to clear, all of the white zetsu that had come up from the ground became visible and it was obvious that more were still flowing from the earth. Sasuke used a transformation jutsu creating a perfect likeness of Naruto. As the fog continued to clear more and more a small boat began to become visible in center of the bay. Madara standing at the front. "There he is." Naruto growled through gritted teeth. "MADARAAAAAA!" As Naruto let out a furious yell he leaned back and launched the Rasen Shuriken toward Madara. Everyone stared in amazement as the giant ball of chakra hurtled towards Madara at incredible speeds. To everyones surprise it flew right over the top of his head missing by mere inches. The Rasen Shuriken curved and crashed into the side of the island at the beginning of the entrance, following the crescent shape of the island, tearing through the mountains has it went. Once it finally reached the other side of the crescent the remaining chakra shot out into the air and dissipated. After all the noise ceased an eerie silence fell over the battle field. Through the silence the sound of cracking could be heard. Slowly around every side of the crescent island huge pieces of the mountain began to dislodge from where they had been struck by Naruto's projectile.

Naruto reached up and pulled the knot is his head band tighter. He stared his opponent down from the top of the temple. "Hey bastard!...The next one won't miss!" Naruto's yell echoed throughout the bay and the battle began.