Naruto sighed as Lee was trying to get Gaara to understand the game of Twister. He didn't care for the fact hat he was forced to stay at home or watch Lee, Gaara and his brother play Twister while he did the spinner. It wasn't that he was drinking an all veggie smoothie too. It was the fact that his little Phoenix and Sasuke were leaving on the mission. He didn't want to see them dead too. He shook his head at that thought.

Phoenix dieing was like the world without ramen. And Sasuke, he hasn't died yet and wanted his record clean for any failed mission. So he would be ok.

"Naruto?" Lee asked in a worried tone. Said blonde blinked up looked up. "I'm fine Lee, just thinking." Kankuro chuckled.

"I thought last time you were thinking, you had to deal with an angry Sakura, Tsunade and a Phoenix. Didn't you turn her into a bird?" He asked. A pillow was shot into his face.

"Meanie. Let's play!" Naruto said with a pout. He spun it and the game was on. It was funny to see them all put their foot on red then their hands on green. He smiled and spun it again and again. He had to stop a few minutes later and get some clones to help him lift Gaara's gourd off his back.

The game continued till Lee and Kankuro lost at the same time. They both think Gaara was cheating since they felt something slid past their legs and tickle their stomachs. Naruto started to laugh at Lee who pretended to cry for a kiss. He wouldn't let them see him sigh in longing for a kiss from Itachi.

YAOIMAKESTHEWORLDGOROUNDYAOIMAKESTHEWORLDGOYAY!

Footsteps were light and quick for the small group of leaf ninja. A raven, two brunettes and a violet haired girl traded positions for running. Phoenix smiled underneath her hood, her purple hair peeking out around her. She had made them wait to let her cut her hair to its normal shot and spiky look.

Traveling as fast as they were, they were coming up to the little hideout of the group. Her mind was blurred with Houkou's so her thoughts were a mixture of them both. She slowed down with Sasuke, coming up behind Shikamaru. All he did was point forward and she bit back a gasp. Those heads were her favorite friends but one stood out. The long raven hair, pulled back into a low ponytail. Tall and a little thin but strong underneath the large cloak. Uchiha Itachi was alive. Her sensei was back.

All four turned to them and she took a defensive pose, her eyes speaking for her. She waited as Shikamaru spoke out to them.

"Oi, what are you doing here?" He asked, hands in his pockets. No doubt, he was grabbing a few weapons from there.

Deidara chuckled and smiled. "Just having fun, killing and doing your mission. You guys are really slow." That made everyone angrier. She had to pull Sasuke back. Phoenix was hoping his thoughts weren't set on killing Itachi, she would step in. She stepped up and was beside Shikamaru. "I'm amazed a blonde like you could even make a sentence without your little 'un' at the end." She wanted them to attack so they weren't the ones who started the fight.

It did the trick. Deidara was flying across the field. She took a step forward and to the side so she was in front of Shikamaru. She backhanded Deidara as soon as he was close. He went flying back into the arms of Kisame who toppled over form the sudden weight.

Itachi spoke up, having seen enough emotions in his student's eyes. "We will leave; your job is also done." He turned and was gone, his companions following his example.

The Konoha ninja looked at one another; each lost in their thoughts. Shikamaru stepped up after a minute, looking to everyone in the group. "We should get back and report to Tsunade. Let's go." He jumped up, followed by the others.

Fists slammed onto a poor old desk. A few of the ninja inside the room were amazed it didn't shatter. "They what?!" Tsunade's scream rang out hard. Shikamaru tried to speak but she waved him off. This would take a few moments before anyone else could speak. "You mean to tell me, my fastest elite group of ninja couldn't get there in time. Then they didn't bring in the Akatsuki members they spotted or wound them to near death. Though the mission was done not by our own hand, I'll let this incident go. Everyone get out of my office."

Everyone rushed toward the door until a command came toward them. "Phoenix, stay here. We have to talk." Said girl gulped as her friends left. She turned and stood at attention. "Yes, Tsunade-sama?" She asked.

Tsunade leaned forward, fingertips together. "I have allowed you to stay here long enough. I'm sorry but you must leave. I cannot risk the counsel finding out about our deal. They will think all my plans for the good of the village are just to let the Akatsuki take over..." She was cut off by a slicing sound; metal against metal. Her eyes went from Phoenix's to the perfect line that cut the Leaf symbol in half.

"Tsunade-sama, I understand. I'll leave tonight." She turned and her hand on the door when Tsunade's voice stopped her.

"Phoenix, please. This hurts me too."

A chuckled rang out from the broken girl. "No, this hurts me more. I lost my homes too many times. Goodbye, Obaa-chan!"

A growling voice snapped at her. "Get back here Phoenix!"

"I'm Yun Houkou Yumi! That Phoenix of which you speak of has died!" The girl ran out, her tears flowing more freely then anything else. She barreled into several people as her feet tried to carry her to the Uchiha mansion. The keyword being 'tried'. She tripped, landing in a puddle. She whimpered in pain and pulled herself to the nearest wall.

Houkou was starting to worry. He sighed as he knew what he had to do. This would hurt her more and Naruto. He shoved the gate opened and walked out.

Yumi passed out, as she was switching with Houkou. Just want he needed.

Naruto looked up as Sasuke slammed the door, startling Lee and Kankuro so they fell. Gaara won again. "Hey, Sasu-chan. Something wrong?" he asked, standing up; using the table to help him. He moved to Sasuke, knowing he wouldn't hurt him.

Sasuke was torn. He didn't want to tell Naruto but not telling him seems to be hurting him worse. He took the blonde in his arms. God, how he loved him. Even though it wasn't as what he wanted, they could still be brothers. "I'm so sorry...He is back. He wasn't dead at all." He felt the blonde stiffen in his arms and all eyes were on him.

"He is?" Naruto looked up to him, tears fresh on his face. This was great! Phoenix would be happy and-. Phoenix...Where was she? "Where is Phoenix?" He asked. Sasuke glance toward the Hokage building's direction. "Tsunade wanted to talk with her about something. She should be back by now." Speak of the Devil; no really, speak to him; 'she' walked in.

Lee moved toward her for a hug but stopped. Yellow eyes started out at them, hair was arched upward in spikes and was bleach white. Canines were lengthened and Naruto knew Houkou's temper was short. The wolf moved past them as he went into Phoenix's room. If you could call it that without laughing. All it had was a makeshift futon and two bags with all of her processions. He grabbed the bags and turned around, now facing Naruto. "Houkou, what is going on?"

Or so we thought it was Naruto. Kyuubi must have joined up with his kit. He heard both voices joined into one. But he could separate them, Naruto's full of fear and worry, Kyuubi was anger. Houkou smiled sadly. "We are leaving, Tsunade's orders. Yumi had a break down." He slipped around them and was to the front door with sand locked his ankles in place.

"Kazekage-sama, you have met me before. You know what I can do. Release me!" He snapped out. Yumi was starting to wake up, hearing their voices. Nothing was done and he growled, a tail forming. He whipped it back, a gust of wind hitting Gaara only. He was out the door and into the large oak. Naruto ran out, Sasuke supporting him. "Yumi, wait!" He called out. Said girl turned, her normal appearance back. She gave them a sad smile then turned and jumped toward her home. She didn't want to see her fox fall to his knees, crying at his loss of a friend.

Sasori was sitting down in the living room, Deidara in his lap. The blonde was still pissed about the comment Phoenix made. Itachi was angry at himself for he was sulking in the corner. Kisame and Tobi were paling their video game. Hidan and his partner were doing a mission. No one knew where Pein and Konan were. Tobi paused the game as a figure stepped in. Every stood up but Itachi walked toward the person.

Yumi fell, her old sensei catching her. She was a mess, blood was coming from her mouth ad cuts were everywhere on her body. "Itachi-kun...N-Naruto...knows." She said, holding him. He held his student tightly and glanced at her bags. He motioned to them and Kisame picked them up. This was going to be a long talk. He led the way to her room, the girl asleep in his arms. What happened to made her come home so badly?