Granny Chiyo was at her work shop. Going through all of the schematics she had made for her great grand son. It was built to allow him to customize and alter so he can add different weapons of tools. It was similar to her own arm.

Her poor Eien. To fight against a powerful Jinchuriki so early into his shinobi career. It seems that the fool Inkoki thought he could assasinate two of Sunakagure's future weapons before they were ready. He is lucky that she is retired. She'd kill that man himself.

Using her chakra string she lifted the parts. Going over every piece thoroughly. Pulling it around she hoped that her Eien would be happy with it. It may not be a real arm but it eventually give him more options. Her annoying brother who was oddly quiet next to her put his hand on her shoulder. She turned around and glared at him until he opened his arms.

Chiyo hadn't realized she had been crying. She almost lost her great grandson and she didn't know how to deal with it. If he had been any weaker, or wasn't as skilled he would have died. If Gaara hadn't been there? Her brother pulled her into a hug, "He will be okay. Don't worry Chi."

Kyatsu was standing looking at her baby boy. He was laying in hospital bed still unconscious. His chest was wrapped, going around covering where his arm had been. Grabbing his left hand she squeezed hoping he would feel it. Wiping her eyes she steeled herself, she needed to get everything ready for when they fixed Gaara's seal. They had to make sure it was fool proof.

This mission had shown everyone that Eien, Gaara, and that tailed beast were targets from the other villages. They would be ready no matter what. They were prepping him for implant . It would be what held his new arm.

Chiyo apparently had her own prosthetic. Unlike what her boy's will be though, it was just her lower arm. No this would be different. Clenching her fist as she thought back to Eien's training. She should have forced his chakra chains more. If she had then he could have defeated that shinobi. He would have been ready.

"Kyatsu-san." Two nurses walked in both worries written on their faces as she had been leaking killing intent, "It's time for Eien-kun's operation."

Putting on a hopeful smile she tried to feign a calm demeanor, "Thank you. I'll wait out in the waiting room."

Leaving the room, she walked out seeing one of her genin with Eien's teammate. Ameno tried to comfort her friend as he patiently waited for any information. Seeing Kyatsu though his eyes lit up, "Kyatsu-sama! Is Eien okay?"

Seeing the hope in the boy made her happy that her son finally found a real friend. Someone who wasn't afraid of him because of his father, "They are putting in the implant now. When his Great Grandmother arrives, she will put on the new arm."

"So, he can stay a ninja?" Oh, she would make sure he won't just be a shinobi. He'd be the greatest shinobi that the Sand has ever seen. Between her and Chiyo he'd become someone truly worth fearing. Jinchuriki or not.

Baki practically kicked the door down the Kazekage's office, "What do we know? How did they attack us?"

Unlike the Jonin. Rasa was completely calm. Instead, he didn't even look up from his paperwork, "We don't know. However, the Tsuchikage denies any involvement in the incident involving your team." Baki couldn't help but grind his teeth, "You know he is lying."

"Of course." Rasa looked up making Baki freeze, "I know he tried to assassinate my son and Eien Uzumaki. We cannot afford to go to war. At least not yet."

"Sorry Kazekage-sama." Rasa looked at his subordinate and could see the guilt,"Don't fret Baki-san. You and your team handled the situation well. Not many genin could survive a fight against such odds."

It wasn't that Baki disagreed. In fact, he believed if any other teams had been in that situation, even most Chunin teams they'd have been destroyed with relative ease. No, his Genin were strong. They had proved that time and time again. Deep in his chest though he felt war was coming. Which meant they were going to be stuck in the middle of it.

Getting his grip he faced his Kage, "Than what is your orders sir?" Rasa sat down. Pulling out a flask he poured two glasses before pouring water into both, "When Eien wakes up and is ready we will have him, and his mother alter Gaara's seal. Go and get with Shira. Get him ready, I want your team to go to Konoha for the Chunin exams."

"Hai Kazekage-sama. I will do so." Bowing Baki left. He would help Shira develop his new techniques. He'd need to push the boy if her were to be going to keep up with Eien and Gaara.

Slowly the world started to blur into focus. Eien could barely remember what happened. Trying to rub his head he realized his right arm was missing. That's when things hit him. His mind filled in the blanks as the battle replayed in his head. Eien couldn't control his breathing as he remembered that Jinchuriki rip his arm off.

Reaching up he grabbed where his arm had been. Under the wrappings he could feel some sort of metal implant. Tears started pouring from his eyes as his breathing got even more spuratic. Eien just wanted to remember what happened to Gaara after he went down.

Eien could feel something wrap around him. Then like a knife cutting through flesh a voice called to him. Slowly the persons face came into view. His mom's smile seemed to brighten his world again, "Mom….."

Jumping into her arms he let her just hold him. The pain in his shoulder fading away as he cried into her chest, "It's okay Eien. You're safe now." Looking up at Kyatsu's eyes he saw they were red and puffy. She had been crying at some point too. He almost died.

Gathering his thoughts he broke away from her, "G-Gaara? Is he okay?" A small smile graced Kyatsu's lips, "Yes. He went into a frenzy when he saw you get defeated. Only he and the Sand Demon worked as one."

"What?!" Eien tried wrapping his head around that. Gaara and his beast worked together, "How? Does he know?"

Chuckling she leaned back into her chair, "You apparently made an impression. Either way, Gaara asked for us to fix his seal."

"Good." Eien said happily. Only for his smile to fade away before looking at his shoulder, "Don't worry baby." His mother put her hand on his cheek, "Your Granny is working on something right now. We won't let this happen again. Also we are going to be working on your chakra chains. Iwakagure may not know it but they aren't going to be prepared for a war with us."

Eien felt the burning in his eyes, "They targeted us? Didn't they?" Kyatsu looked into her son's eyes. He knew right then that he was right, "Then I'll be ready next time. I promise."

Their conversations changed from there. His mom distracted him with stories of her team's missions. How they were highly skilled at battlefield tactics. Temari was apparently highly skilled in wind jutsu. Kankuro was a highly skilled puppeteer just like him. Though his mom did say that he wasn't quite at his level but would be a great addition to the Puppet Brigade. Then Ameno who was best friends with Shira's best friend.

It was the distraction that he needed. Eien hadn't realized just how fast the day had gone. After a few hours of talking with his mom his team showed up. Shira was covered in dirt and sweat. Presumably from training. His excited eyes were staring into his soul it felt like. His sensei even looked relieved to see he was alright.

Gaara though was looking his body up and down. His eyes scanning every inch. Every scratch bruise and injury. Finally settling on his shoulder. There was a pain in his eyes that Eien hadn't seen before. He didn't know if he'd accept but raised his arm gesturing for a hug.

The other red head wasn't sure what to do until Shira barreled into the puppeteer. Gaara seemed to finally understand. So, when Shira stepped away Gaara wrapped his arms nervously around him. Eien did the same with his single arm, "I'm sorry I lost Gaara."

"It was not your fault." Separating he awkwardly stood there unsure of what to do next, "Gaara is right Eien."

Looking over at Shira he saw there was a look of guilt for not being with his team, "I think you two were both hard pressed to fight that guy. He was insanely powerful." Gaara crossed his arms in frustration, "Which is why next time we will be stronger. He will die next time."

Eien smiled, "I won't let him beat me twice."

Baki watched with Kyatsu while the boys continued to talk. Shira was telling the, about his new techniques he was working on, "They will be a target no matter the nation."

"Yeah, I know. Especially if Rasa-sama goes with his plan to assist Otokagure." Kyatsu stated. This wasn't something that either Jonin wanted. To bring on the might of Konokagure was to bring death to your youth. In the last Great Ninja War, Konoha was surrounded by enemies on all sides and still never budged. Sure, they took loses but it wasn't to the extent of the other villages.

"Hopefully they will be ready." Kyatsu didn't respond. Instead, she listened as Eien told them of some new designs he had in mind for puppets. Just enjoying the fact that her son was alive and in front of her.

Waking up the following day Eien was allowed to get up and walk around the hospital. He was handling it much better than he had when he first woke up. There was still a phantom pain but he was able to handle that. Shira dropped off his design book to so he could draw up his designs for his next puppets.

First, he would need to look at the puppets he lost in that last fight. Shinigami though functional was badly damaged. As was Kinja. Though both were still in better shape than the twins. Nanto and Hokuto were both utterly destroyed. His others were fine. Tenyo was battle ready as was Byakko. Futsuumeichi was also good, but he was wanting to add ninja wire launchers to the back of its knees.

Eien had two designs he wanted to complete. First was Genbu. It was going to be a black tortoise. The shell would be of layered plating to protect it from most damage. It would have similar to Byakko or Kinja a powerful jaw. Able to crush almost anything. Inside it's mouth would be a launcher that would allow him to fire darts, fire, or pressurized water. This puppet would add to his defense. Especially if he increased the number of puppets he could utilize at once.

Second would be Suzaku. This would be a bird big enough to ride on. Eien had wind release. With the knowledge of being able to infuse his own chakra into his puppets, he is certain that he'd be able to fly with this bird. It would give him a huge advantage on the battlefield.

"Oh my Eien." Looking up from his notebook he saw his Great Granny smiling at him with a package in her hand, "Granny Chiyo!" Jumping up he nearly tackled her.

"I hope you are ready to have your arm back." Eien's eyes widened in shock, "You already have it done?"

Chiyo gave him a smug look, "Of course. Who do you think I am. Some second-rate puppeteers." Pulling out the arm she set it in front of him. It was light tan. The Chakra infused wood was smooth to the touch and stronger than most steels, "It's beautiful."

"I thought you'd like it." She said as she pulled out a small scroll, "This has everything you need to know in it. Your sensei said he wants you to start working harder on your taijutsu and kejutsu. So, it's more durable than my own. I also left most of the customization for you. My arm has a built in shield. I left spots for you to add a mantis blade or other gadgets that you prefer."

"It's amazing. It looks like you made it, so it taps into my chakra network." She smiled fondly at the boy. He was ever the genius at the craft, "Of course. If you are going to perform jutsu or infuse weapons with chakra than we have to make sure it can keep up."

Eien looked confidently at her, "Can we install it?" Chiyo's smile turned to a smirk, "Yes. However, it will be extremely painful at first."

The boy didn't budge though. Grabbing the arm, she placed it up against his shoulder before pressing hard. As it connected to the nervous system he screamed out in agony. The pain shot through his whole body. Tears flowed but he didn't pull away. Not till she was finally finished.

Looking at his now wooden hand he flexed it. It may not have felt but there was still a connection. Grinning he through a few punches to make sure it felt right. Looking at his Granny he felt his confidence coming back, "Well we better truly test it."

All the available staff watched in horror as the two puppet users faced off in the courtyard. Eien summoned Byakko as his granny summoned one of her ten puppets. Byakko moved fast smashing into the puppet. Eien made sure to only use his right hand as the puppet dodged and weaved around Chiyo's.

After hours of fighting both puppeteers fell into the grass. Eien was smiling from ear to ear, "I need to get better. I have an idea, but I don't know how it will work Granny."

"Oh and what might that be?" Eien stood up and looked at his arm, "I want to add a compartment in my forearm. Strings will connect to all my puppets at one time." She looked at him dumbfounded, "Are you sure how will you control them all."

Smiling he pulled out his notebook and set it in front of her. On the page he was presenting was a seal. One she did not recognize, "This is my connection seal. I was trying to find a way to allow me to control the puppets without strings. I haven't figured it out yet."

"But!" he yelled excitedly, "With this arm I should be able to connect my chakra enough to them that they can become extra limbs!"

"You want to make them an extension of your body." Eien's smile got bigger, "Yeah! I'd be able to see and hear from them. Imagine what I could do if I had full control!"

She was, this wasn't a small advancement. This would change everything they knew about puppetry. His puppets would act almost like summons. If Baki and Shira could get him into better shape for close range combat than he'd be the most well-rounded shinobi in all of Suna.

The didn't speak of the new seal again. Eien had many things he wanted to work on. Though his main objective was being ready to get Gaara ready for his new seal. It took three more weeks to recover to the point he could perform such a tough sealing.

Though finally they were ready. Inside of a small temple not far from Suna, Kyatsu and Eien gathered shinobi. Gaara was laying shirtless in a sealing circle. Rasa was watching as the two shinobi drew lines all over Gaara's body.

Eien was drawing a line down the front Gaara's neck to his naval. Realization of how lean the pale boy was. His body may not be thick with muscle, but he was great shape from caring his gourd around everywhere.

"What's wrong?" Gaara asked. Eien wasn't too sure, but he felt a flutter in his stomach, "Uh-um n-nothing. Just got lost in thought is all." His face felt warm, but he knew he wasn't sick, so he just stood up and went to his position.

Chiyo, Eien, and three other elders were in a circle at the edge of the summon circle. Kyatsu though stood over the jinchurki, "We are going to start by suppressing the tunaki's chakra. This will cause a lot of discomfort because your body has become accustomed to the power."

Gaara nodded but he knew he was ready for this, "Then I'll alter your seal. This seal isn't like the ones used on the other jinchurki. This will give you the ability to take on his power in time. Though it will be a partnership. The beast will not be able to take over your mind as easily."

They didn't give Gaara or Shikaku time to change their minds. All five surrounding shinobi cut their hands and activated the containment and suppression seal. Light shot out from all the lines surrounding the boy. Gaara's eyes grew heavy as Shikaku was forced down.

Kyatsu began performing hand seals. Sixty hand seals in quick and efficient succession, "Uzumaki Sealing Jutsu,. Seal of Fate!" Placing her hand on Gaara's chest the seal that had previously been on him shift and formed at the center of his chest. Connecting to the other lines easily they brightened the entire room.

Eien felt his stomach flutter again as the boy lit up. His seal turning into a full-bodied tattoo almost. Gaara yelled as his mind became his own again. The fog that and voices that had plagued him for so long suddenly becoming quiet. Tears fell from his eyes as for the first time in years he slept. Truly slept.

Baki took the sleeping Gaara home. Eien, Kyatsu, and Chiyo met with Rasa at the Kazekage office, "I am thankful you aided my son. I have one more request I need though from you."

Kyatsu bowed, "Yes Kazekage-sama." He took out a scroll, "I am meeting with the Otokaze over plans to attack Konokagure. I have my Anbu guard, but I'd like you to be there."

Eien looked at his mother before glancing back at the Kazekage. Kyatsu managed to respond through her shock, "I will. But why?"

"You have done much to earn my trust. You are also one of the most powerful ninjas in the village. Should it be a trap I'd like you there." Kyatsu nodded.

Eien couldn't help but feel the worry. No matter how this played out it be interesting. After leaving he went to the training field to see Shira and Baki training diligently. Smiling he entered the training ground before dropping into a fighting stance. He'd be ready no matter what.

Thanks for reading everyone. It's been a minute or two since I've got back here. I'm not very consistent. I am working on that though. Let me know what you think! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!