A/N: We're coming in hot for this chapter, and I don't mean steamy! I hope you all enjoy this one! We will be returning to our regular programming shortly. (; The way I set up the Pain attack may be confusing to some so just ask questions; y'all know I'll answer them all!

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P.S. Some spots may say Pein and others may say Pain. Don't hate me please :')

Bonds

*Kabocha POV*

"Shikamaru, wait!" I picked up the skirt, balling the fabric in my hands so that I could run after him without falling. He kept walking at a brisk pace, a pace that didn't fit the normally lazy Nara heir.

"Shikamaru-!"

"WHAT!?" I stopped abruptly so I wouldn't run into his irate form, dropping my hand that had reached out to grab his shoulder. "What could you possibly have to say to me, huh!?" Tears pricked at the corner of my eyes; an occurrence that has never happened to me before all because of someone raising their voice at me...maybe because he has never raised his voice to me before. I swallowed the lump in my throat, the hot breeze from the Shi volcano reaching our prone form even miles away from the active volcano.

"Maru-kun...p-please." I cursed myself for stuttering, my entire body tensed up from trying to keep it from shaking. The announcement I just made had already made me nauseous and rattled me to my very core. Announcing Zu Moritora as my chosen husband followed by gasps in the crowd from everyone in Konoha and my family had left me feeling...desolate. "Please, just let me explain." His brown eyes searched my own, his chest heaving with anger and what I assumed was heartbreak.

"I don't want to hear anything you have to say." I could feel a strain in my chest at his words, a tight pulling that threatened to snap our bond. I opened my mouth to respond, but all that came out were words that were not my own.

"Kabocha, what the hell was that!?" I didn't bother turning around to look at my adopted brother. The raw fury in his voice made it clear that he wasn't happy with my decision either.

"You don't understand...neither of you do. Neither of you know what's it's like or what it's going to be like for me this next month." I folded my arms over my exposed pained stomach, bowing my head.

"Then make us understand, Kabocha! Why would you do this to Kabo-" I looked over my shoulder to see what had happened to Naruto to make him stop speaking.

"That's enough, boy." My eyes widened at the sight of my uncles on either side of Naruto, Uncle Hikari holding a hand over his mouth. Shosha, Kina, Gin, Rai, and Ryu standing right behind them. "This is no place to be discussing her choice; where every enemy can hear her reasoning. I know there is a brain somewhere in that thick skull of yours. Please try and use it." Uncle Gorudo looked downright livid making all of our eyes outside of Uncle Hikari widen.

"Let's take this conversation to base. The party is still going on and I don't want anyone overhearing us." Uncle Hikari said motioning for all of us to follow after him as he dragged a flailing Naruto. Shikamaru looked hesitant, but one look from Gorudo made him turn his back to me to follow after my dark haired uncle.

"Where is this base?" I questioned seeing as how he led us to a cleared out area behind the Intelligence building. We watched Gorudo take a step to his left and Hikari did the same.

"Earth style: mole jutsu." Hikari went down first with a screaming Naruto. I blinked in confusion, it appeared as if they disappeared into the ground. Usually when the mole jutsu was performed a hole formed so that an earth user could go underground; this time there was no hole.

"I'm positive you aren't an earth style user, so you will have to go down with Kabocha, Shikamaru. Kina, go with Gin while Shosha goes with Rai. Ryu, you will be coming with me. It's a ten foot drop, so count to ten and bend your knees when you hit the ground otherwise you will break something. The fall is fast, but count ten seconds should be sufficient." Uncle Gorudo said pointing to each of us respectively. The look that Shikamaru gave me made me cold inside. I knew that he didn't want me to touch him, but my body was programmed to follow orders.

I placed my hands on his lower back while facing him unable to look him in the eye and performed the jutsu with ease right in the spot where Naruto and Uncle Hikari went down. I counted to ten and hit the ground right at ten, bending my knees so that they would suffer. Shikamaru stepped away from me to look around, and did the same but a bit more reserved. I could hear the landing of everyone else behind us.

It wasn't a very big room, there was one long table in the center of it, and one large steel door across from the landing. Naruto was currently pouting; my guess was that Hikari must have put him in his place.

"Now, everyone please have a seat." Gorudo left no room for arguments as he led us to the table where a map of our village lay with 'X's' marked in various spots. It wasn't too far off from what the war room council table looked like except this table was covered with a map of the village.

"What is this place?" Kina asked. "I literally work in the building right behind this and have never known about it." Shosha pulled out Kina's seat for her making her smile slightly and caress the side of his face affectionately. I sat down across from Shikamaru with Naruto and Hikari on either side of me. Ryu and Rai were on either side of him leaving Kina on my side of the table next to Hikari and across from Shosha. Gin made Rai scoot over so that they could share the seat. Uncle Gorudo stood watching over all of us, and we turned our bodies to face him from his position by the steel door.

"This place has been the base for the renegade against my brother for the last thirteen or so years; around the time negotiations with Konoha began and you found your Tamer, Kabocha." I recoiled slightly, my mind taking a turn for the worse.

"What the hell's a tamer?" Naruto grumbled from my left. "You will be filled in on our family history later. Don't be around the bush, Gorudo, the party is still going on." Hikari waved his hand in the air in annoyance.

"Right." Uncle nodded before sighing looking twenty years older than what he really was. "I created this place after learning of Jun's plan to marry you off to the Uchiha, Kabocha. Your brother, Tsuyoi has known about this place since he made the plan with Itachi to keep his brother from getting slaughtered and to save Kabocha from going through a betrothal like Kiriena did." I felt my eyes widening with every word that left his mouth.

"Hikari has been working like a slave for the previous Hokage in exchange for aide when the time comes for the coup d'etat. However, with the third Hokage's death, the agreement now lies in the hands of the new Lady Hokage and it isn't going well. The time has come upon us, and everything has changed because a boy that you were supposed to have disposed of now knows of your plans to change the Lord of our lands by force. Hikari and I have let you attempt to handle this situation on your own, but you have made a grave mistake even with Tsuyoi following your every move." My breath picked up in disbelief.

"W-wait a minute...s-slaughtered? What are you talking about!? Sasuke's older brother, Itachi, killed all of the Uchiha for no reason, right!? Tsuyoi is guilty too, right!? RIGHT!?"

"Shut up…" Shikamaru mumbled but everyone could hear him loud and clear over Naruto's hysterics. "Why...why would a respected ninja that loved his village and family decide that he wanted them all dead? Why would Tsuyoi ever think about leaving his siblings when he loved them more than anyone? There's no explanation for something that sudden especially for ninja that have no history of disobedience, PTSD, or mental instability-"

I couldn't help myself...I burst out laughing.

"You mean t-to tell me, Shosha and I have been fighting to get our plan in motion for the last five years and you two," I pointed my clawed fingers at my uncles with a look of pure amusement, "have had a plan this whole time." I shook my head as Gin began to do a slow clap, my hysterical giggles decreasing somewhat.

"I must congratulate the Nara heir on his deduction skills. Myself and the rest of our cousins already knew something wasn't right; it's a shame that the people that actually lived in Konoha just assumed Itachi went mad. If that was true, he definitely would have killed his brother as well." Gin grinned as Naruto jumped from his seat.

"The hell did you just say!? We were taught to honor, love, and fight for our village. Of course we're going to trust their word. Wouldn't you!?"

"No." Everyone's head whipped to look at Ryu as he sat with his arms crossed and eyes closed. "We are raised in a village built on criminals and bloodshed. We don't trust anyone that easily even if they're our village leader or teammate."

"That's sad and dysfunctional. I'm surprised that your village has survived this long." Shikamaru spoke blatantly and Gorudo actually laughed scaring the shit out of everyone but Shikamaru. My depressed uncle had barely smiled since my mother's death let alone laughed.

"That's what we're trying to change, Shikamaru Nara." Gorudo gave him a genuine smile making my heart speed up. "In one month's time, Kabocha, will marry Zu Moritora and assume her begin training for her role as future ruler of our land followed by his untimely death i.e. assassination. The responsibility was Tsuyoi's, but until his return that rule falls onto you, Kabocha. Shosha will continue to follow in my footsteps as ambassador."

"I just don't get it! Why would Itachi kill his own clan but leave Sasuke alive!"

"Boy, you sure are riled up over this." Rai said in a bored tone pissing Naruto off even more.

"What the fuck is wrong with you!? Of course I'm angry! We need to tell Sasuke the truth before he actually does try and kill Itachi! And someone better answer about Itachi's reasoning-"

"Danzo of the Hidden Leaf ordered the Uchiha Massacre by Itachi's hand in exchange for his brother's life. The Uchiha planned an attack of war scale proportions that was going to include the Kasai clan through Kabocha's marriage to Sasuke. Tsuyoi made a plan with Itachi to 'save' Sasuke so that Sasuke would feel indebted to him and stay in the village, but that didn't work." The two leaf village native's eyes widened at Gorudo's explanation and the level of betrayal that ran through them was hotter than any lava in any volcano.

"We have been altering our plan for years; there have been constant obstacles keeping us from our goals and pushing them back even farther. I was turned into a killing machine just so that we could have a little more fire power, but that was all for nothing. This new Hokage is another obstacle, and the newest and biggest one yet is Zu Moritora. If he ruined the element of surprise for us we're all dead." Hikari said nonchalantly and Naruto felt sweat pool on his brow. This was all too much; too many conspiracies and plans that had taken years to coltivate.

"What really happened with Tsuyoi then?" Kina asked deep in thought and everyone stared at her like she had grown a third head.

"Jun committed the ultimate crime in this village outside of bringing outsiders to the Shi volcano; Temari Sabaku being the exception." Gorudo added the last statement when he saw Rai opened his mouth. "He raped Kiriena and murdered her in front of Tsuyoi. Itachi was the one that freed him from his cell on his execution day. Him and Itachi are also the ones that provided emergency aid to you, Kabocha, when my brother almost killed you." Gorudo became choked up as he said my momma's name but he held strong like the strong shinobi and diplomat that he was.

"W-why...why would he d-do that?" Naruto's eyes watered up making a lump form in my throat. He had lost two mothers. One he had never met and the one that adopted him and treated him as her own. It was almost like we were reliving her tragic death.

"Kiriena...wasn't happy with Jun. They were an arranged marriage, so it's quite literally fifty/fifty if a couple is going to be happy or not. They certainly weren't, and they are a perfect example for why I never wanted that for you four..." Gorudo said and I realized he said because he had included Naruto. The raw emotion that flashed over Naruto's face made my heart beat painfully. However, the pause he did after saying momma's name was making me suspicious of him. There was something that he wasn't telling us, but I wouldn't push him for that information right now.

"No reason is a good enough reason for what he did but that's the most stupid reason." Shosha growled with clenched fists, I stared at my brother trying to rein in his emotions.

"Maru-kun…" I turned my gaze to my boyfriend and he actually met my eyes. "I didn't Moritora over you; he's just holding a scythe over my head waiting to drop it. Unbeknownst to him I have a dragon waiting to burn him alive right above him. After he is gone and I make my ascent into the leader position for my village until Tsuyoi returns I will announce or betrothal...if you'll have me that is."

Shikamaru sighed as I held my breath waiting for his answer. I had just basically proposed to him. My heart beating loudly in my ears from fear and adrenaline.

"Now that everything is in the open and I understand all of the secrecy and deception going on in your family…" He paused and all of us stared at him for his answer. Shosha, Hikari, Rai, and Gin becoming angry since they thought he didn't want to marry me but I knew better. "Of course I will still have you. I told you I would marry you didn't I? Now, about all of what's going on right now...I will help in anyway I can." Shikamaru said giving me one of his endearing smirks. Gorudo gave Shikamaru another approving smile confusing the ever living shit out of me. What was wrong with him?

"You guys…" All of our attention was now on the shaking Naruto. "W-we have to do something for Sasuke. He's just as important to me as the rest of you. If he kills Itachi and finds out that Itachi was...ordered to massacre their family. There will be no turning back for him…" Naruto said, gripping his hands together and not meeting anyone's eyes.

"Naruto...it is already too late for Sasuke. I'm sorry to say this, but it could already be too late for Itachi. He could already be dead." Hikari said in an uncharacteristically gentle manner.

"Sasuke is nothing to us...not even a pawn." Gorudo stated in a monotone voice making my eyes snap close so I wouldn't have to see Naruto's devastated expression. "The only reason Sasuke Uchiha would hold any importance would be because he's going to be directly involved in the death of Tsuyoi's lover; attating Tsuyoi and overthrowing my brother is our main priority." My eyes popped open to look at my uncle.

"L-lover...you mean Tsuoyi and Itachi…" This was the first time in my life where I have heard Shosha speak with a shaky voice. He has always been so sure, so resolute, but in this very moment my big, strong brother was shaken. I couldn't even decipher what he was feeling.

"How long have you known that juicy detail?" Hikari chuckled out making me glare at him and then at Gorudo.

"Wow...so you didn't even know, huh?" Gin said in Hikari's direction making Rai pout since I'm sure he was going to say that. "Thought that you two shared all information-"

"We are losing focus. Tsuyoi's choice in partner, while sweet, is not our concern." Kina said with a small smile as she rubbed Shosha's back who seemed to be in a state of shock far worse than Naruto's shaking, silent form.

"I agree with Kina. What will we do now?" Ryu's deep voice followed Kina's airy one.

"We are going to return to the party as instructed. However, after our departure there will be another meeting held here for potential allies since just the turned Lava shinobi won't be enough. Kabocha will be staying behind to discuss everything with these important figures before we return to the party. Rin should be-" An odd patterned knock cut of Hikari's speech. Gorudo walked around the table to go to the door and open it since he locked it.

"Right this way...we were just finishing up." I stood from my seat in surprise to see Gaara, Lord Kuya, and Lord Koga.

"You can't just assume they'll help with another country's problems! What if they turn on-" I bellowed and Shikamaru cut in.

"There's no rewards without risk. I know Gaara will help you. I'm unaware of what kind of people Lords Kuya and Koga are, but judging from your interactions with them at your coronation they aren't the type to be compromised." Shikamaru said with that scheming look of his.

"Ya' got that right...well right about me at least. I don't know these guys." Lord Koga gave a slight laugh jerking his thumb towards Lord Kuya and Gaara.

"You know I will help you in any way I can." Gaara said simply and I couldn't control the smile that touched my features.

"I am also willing to hear what issues you are experiencing and I will decide from there if I persuade the Earth Daimyo to lend aide." My smile didn't leave as Lord Kuya gave his explanation; calling his father by his title instead of just saying father led me to believe that his relationship with his father wasn't a very good one.

"We will be taking our leave now. There are too many of us missing and for too long." Ryu said taking a stand and dragging a complaining Rai up with him.

Kina helped a still silent Shosha up and led him out of the room, bowing slightly to each of the newcomers. Rin followed after Rai and Ryu proceeding to tell them to "shut the fuck up".

Gin glided from his seat with a small frown, stopping by me as if to say something but thought better of it. I furrowed my eyebrows, watching his broad back as he left with Hikari and Gorudo. Hikari had to physically drag Naruto as well, but I made him stop in front of me,

"Naru-nii…" I called out softly and Naruto acknowledged me by looking at me with an expression that made my heart clench painfully. "I won't promise you the world but...I can promise we'll try...together." I watched his pretty, blue eyes lighten slightly and he gave me a nod as Hikari continued on. I knew Hikari was going to take him to the room he used when he visited me to coach him on acting normal since everyone wasn't privy to the information about the coup d'etat or the Uchiha massacre. I knew those secrets were weighing heavily on his very soul...tainting it just a shade or darker and taking a piece of his blind innocence with it.

"You know what you must do. You are the General of our growing nation...do not fail us." Gorudo even stop as he uttered those words to me. I stared at his broad back as well as he shut the door behind him with a bang.

"Now, gentlemen, please have a seat." I motioned with my hand towards the open table, dropping my tone a bit. A smirked inwardly as they scanned me slowly, even Lord Kuya who had someone back home, and I knew I had them right where I wanted them already.

*Kabocha POV*

*Present Day*

"Stretch a little more...this past week has been taxing on your bodies." Master Shi instructed the three of us, and we stretched without question. The recuperations alone from entering and exiting the Shi volcano, even after the three and a half years spent there, was almost a month of healing time. Shosha, Gin, and I healed in less than twenty four hours...forcefully.

That meeting that took place a week ago was to send us back into the Shi volcano to continue to perfect our specialties...and to release Temari.

Master Shi followed us into the Shi Volcano once again without hesitation. He, along with the Grand Dragon, was judge, jury, and executioner. Their rule was law, a fact we learned the hard way only once during my time having to learn how to release Temari... The journey through the curtain of lava that shielded the Shi Volcano almost killed Temari after she was released; she definitely would have died if we hadn't manipulated the lava enough for her to get through. The Grand Dragon demanded that she remain unconscious because only those with the Dragon bloodline were even allowed to see the inside of the Shi volcano. It took Gin, Shosha, Master Shi, and myself to move the thick, enchanted flows of lava while dragging her body. The Grand Dragon also provided an ounce of aid...even though he would deny it.

Rin, Ryu, and Rai promptly escorted the unconscious sand sibling home even under the dire ci.

"I'm surprised to even see you alive." Uncle Hikari said jokingly making Gin's grandfather let out a high pitched chortle. There were proud smiles all around the table as the entire council watched us; even father watched us with a fond smile.

"Please, explain the situation in Konohagakure." I said finishing the stretching and turning to face the war room table.

"The information that we gathered has led us to believe that the leader of the Akatsuki is currently laying Konoha to waste. He goes by the name of Pein. The letter that Naruto sent you in desperation is because his sensei, Lord Jiraiya, was killed by the very same man." Uncle Hikari explained losing his playful persona. I felt my heart cry out to my adopted brother, upset that I wasn't able to be there for him when he needed measly week away to finish my training to become a sealing master was now null and void to me. I should have been with my little brother in his time of need.

"And what of Naruto Uzumaki...where is he currently?" I asked gliding across the room to retrieve the new footwear I requested of our family's blacksmith.

"His location is unknown to even us." Gorduo stated briefly. I nodded after securing my footwear.

"Do we have permission from the Hokage to engage?" Gin questioned stepping up next to me. I flinched internally at the thought of Konoha's Lady Hokage. What a nuisance….

"We have not received-"

"It does not matter. Naruto's three word letter is enough incentive for me to assist. Their Hokage's opinions are now null and void." I cut Raiko's stern reply off. "I won't request any of our shinobi force since I don't know what we are walking into. I would, however, ask permission to enter Konohagakure with a three man team. I will personally be leading the team, father." My father stared at me for a few beats before nodding.

"Permission granted." I nodded and motioned for Shosha and Gin to stand close. I was grateful that Moritora wasn't allowed into the war room since he wasn't a part of the council until after we married.

"However…" All three of us stopped our movement to watch him speak. "You are only to assess not engage. You are to return home for additional support. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, father." I answered back automatically. I performed the transportation jutsu, the image of the war room shifting into Konoha's front gates.

I recognized something was wrong immediately. Where were the two men that were always monitoring the entrance.

"It's too quiet.." Shosha said a little disturbed making Gin and I hum in agreement. He spoke too soon, several explosions sounded off to the west and inside the village.

"By the dragons…" Gin muttered in astonishment.

"The body count alone…" Shosha said in disgust; while I remained in a contemplative state.

"We are going in with the assumption that there is one enemy...I smell several foreign scents. However, I've been gone for a week, so I'm not sure if it's a new villager or the enemy. New villagers come all the time. Scales up...it will be our first defense. I wanna hear a call out if you spot the enemy...can't be too hard to find." I gave them the run down as I stared at the rising smoke.

"Ninja art: Dragon scales!" All three of us called out, and scales of varying colors began to cover our entire body from the neck down. My scales were gold tinged with green, Shosha's were a variety of red, and Gin's were ink black.

"Do we engage, boss?" Gin questioned, readying his body to dart through the open gate.

"Not unless you have to. I changed my mind; meet back here in fifteen if you have found the enemy. Only give a call out if you are going to engage. High frequency for a defeat, low for backup. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal." Both of them answered back, and disappeared into different directions leaving me to head towards the explosions in the west.

Typical…

I held two fingers in front of my chest for the transportation jutsu. The image of the gates disappeared, and morphed into nothing but thick clouds of black smoke.

*Normal POV*

Fires surrounded Kabocha as she looked around for a hidden spot, but every building was left in ruins. She was too open, and needed a safe place to observe from.

Both Gin and Shosha weren't having much luck either in terms of finding a place to observe from. Especially Shosha since he ran right into the fray. He had learned a few things while he was away that would be helpful in their fight against the leader known as Pein that could summon large creatures.

Afterall, he was a summoning specialist now…

"Summoning jutsu!" Shosha cried out gaining the attention of the Konoha shinobi and the Pein calling forth the large beasts. Shosha had sliced his palm with one clawed finger with ease. The brand on his shoulder blade sliding down his arm and onto the ground where his blood pooled.

Three large clouds of white smoke rose into the air along with three dragons varying in size.

"W-what the hell? There's only one village that can summon dragons." One of the ANBU called out in confusion looking at the massive reptiles roared.

"San, Pawa, Denki...destroy!" The blue, red, and yellow dragons did their master's bidding without a second thought. Each of the dragons taking on a different beast. Shosha took notice of the five opposing summons with a passive look, however, the one in the air was concerning since he hadn't seen it until after his main summons.

Shosha turned to the orange haired woman with a malicious smirk. "Ninja art: Dragon's roar!" The hand signs flashed quickly in front of his chest, his hands flying up to cover his mouth as the roar left from deep inside his chest.

Both Gin and Kabocha's ears twitched hearing the telltale sign of confrontation.

"There was no point in the roar...I can see San, Pawa, and Denki from here." Kabocha grumbled, finally free from the eye watering smoke. She waved her hand in front of her face to give her sensitive eyes and nose some relief.

Kabocha's ears twitched once more upon hearing another fight not too far from her current location. She took off on foot, not wanting to waste anymore chakra using the transportation jutsu. She had already used a great deal of chakra with transporting the three of them all the way from the castle to Konoha's front gate.

Kabocha came to an abrupt halt when she spotted an incapacitated Kakashi and Choza. She quickly scanned Choji while she ran to him, fearing he was hurt because of his tears.

"Choji!" Kabocha called his name loudly, but calmly, keeping a tight leash on her emotions.

"Who're yo-" Choji stopped talking abruptly to look at the tall, orange haired woman before him. "K-Kabocha...Kabocha K-Kasai?"

"Yes, yes, Choji it's me. Are you hurt? Is Choza-sama just unconscious?" Kabocha dropped to her knees beside the Akimichis, not giving Kakashi much thought since he was still breathing. However, an inkling of worry was in the back of her mind for the copy-nin...his heartbeat was faint in her ears.

"You...your…" Choji couldn't even speak looking at his friend. She wore what looked like an all black armored leotard, her long legs on full display as well as her arms. He was a bit taken aback at the sight of her entire body covered in scales that were usually just reserved to her left arm.

She was a beautiful sight...a sight that he had missed in just one week's time.

Choji forgoed speaking in favor of pulling the curvaceous, toned woman into his arms. Kabocha tensed up considerably, still not used to surprise affection considering most of the affection she received was during wrestling matches with her family outside of Shikamaru's affection. She raised her arms slowly to hug her friend...she had missed him as well. It wasn't often that other people hugged her in joy outside of Naruto and Shikamaru. Maybe Shosha if he was trying to get on her nerves...

"Good...your h-here." Kakashi gasped out in labored breaths. "There will be time for tears and reunions later. Since you can move, Choji, go and inform Lady Tsunade of what Pain can do."

Kabocha pulled away from Choji, even though he was holding onto her for dear life. She moved towards Kakashi to listen to his breathing closely. She knew he would not last without medical treatment, and that was one skill she was not good in.

"Go Choji...I will stay with Kakashi, and hopefully catch up with you soon." Choji nodded, wiping away his tears and standing to his feet. All three of them froze upon hearing the smashed Pein move, a missile coming out of his skin.

Choji took off without a second thought, tears still flowing down his cheeks. Both Kakashi and Kabocha were glad that he didn't look back.

"Kabocha, protect Choji-"

"You don't need to tell me, Hatake." Kabocha said calmly, annoyance blooming inside of her at his command. She already had all intentions of protecting Choji.

Kabocha moved in front of the missile's path with ease, hearing Kakashi shout at her to do something was grating on her ears. She was afterall...a seal and barrier specialist now.

"Secret Ninja Art: Scroll Seal!" Kabocha yanked out a scroll, quickly throwing it in front of her body. The tattoos covering her right arm went down and onto the scroll at the same time the missile came in contact with the paper. It vanished into the scroll, and more tattoos appeared on Kabocha's right arm.

Kakashi looked on in amazement. She had made the missile disappear with a sealing jutsu...he hadn't seen a sealing specialist outside of Yamato and the Uzumakis.

Kakashi let out a breath in relief, looking to the sky one last time, but was blocked by Kabocha's scowling face. Kakashi chuckled at her mean look, he found it ironic that her face would be the last one he'd see.

"Stay awake. I'll be back with help. I don't want to move you and make it worse." Kabocha told him before turning and making her way over to the weapons Pein. He looked up at her with an eternal smile making Kabocha sneer down at him. She raised her leg straight up in the air and brought it down, putting an end to the weapon Pein. She shattered his entire being with her scale covered heel.

"I'll be right back-" Kabocha said over her shoulder to Kakashi but it was too late. She listened for his heartbeat but found none. "Che. If anyone was going to kill you...it should have been me." Kabocha said to herself with a firm frown, pushing the sadness she felt deep down. She was sad for her brother...he lost two senseis too close together. She raced after Choji's scent, hoping he made it to the Hokage without delay.

Gin looked around with a bored look. He wasn't thrilled that he chose to go south when there was no action. "Should've chose west…" He grumbled to himself just as an explosion sounded off behind him, glass raining down on him from above and bouncing off of his black scales.

He looked up in annoyance, eyes widening at the sight of a woman, dog, and oranged haired man with piercings. Gin pivoted on his heel and proceeded to give chase; taking notice of his cousin's friend, Kiba Inuzuka, right behind him.

"Hey! What're you doing here!?" The woman in front of him glanced over her shoulder at the sound of her son's shout. Gin immediately made the connection that she was obviously Kiba's mother just by looking at her facial features.

"He a friend or foe, Kiba!" The woman growled in annoyance as she pounced again and missed the oranged haired male by mere centimeters.

"Friend, ma. He's a part of the Kasai clan. If you're here that means Kabocha must be too!" Kiba said with subdued enthusiasm. Gin forgot for a moment that he had been at the ceremony during Kabocha's choosing of a suitor, and she hadn't explained her choice in husband to him; not everyone was privy to their plan.

"Hm...that orange haired, dragon girl." The large dog that he was assuming belonged to Kiba's mother spoke up honestly startling him. Dragons couldn't speak outside of the Grand Dragon or dragons of great wisdom and age.

"Yes, that orange haired girl." Gin grumbled, not really liking how they were addressing the general and princess of their village. "Now, what's this guy's story."

"He's a part of a group that's attacking the village. There are five other ones with different abilities throughout the village." Tsume called out as she pounced again, only to miss by mere centimeters. Gin narrowed his eyes, determination to best leaf shinobi rearing it's ugly head.

"Outta my way!" Gin dropped low to the ground and shot past both Kiba and his mother, shocking them both into silence.

Kabocha knew catching up to Choji wasn't going to be that hard, but this was just ridiculous. She hadn't even used her transportation jutsu. She grabbed his shoulder making him have a full on freak out.

"Choji, it's just me!" Kabocha raised her hands in surrender, Choji visibly relaxed in relief. "Where is Lady Tsunade? I can get us there faster." Kabocha said matter of factly and Choji knew exactly what she was talking about.

"She's on top of the Hokage building." Choji immediately grabbed onto Kabocha's shoulder as she did the hand signs for the fire transportation jutsu. The destruction around them blurred into an irate Lady Hokage.

Choji dropped to one knee in front of her while Kabocha remained standing, crossing her arms with indifference.

"What the hell are you doing in my village-!?"

"Lady Tsunade, please listen! Kabocha just helped save my life and get me here faster!" Kabocha raised one eyebrow at Choji's rant and then listened as he proceeded to give all of the information he knew about the Pains he encountered. She wasn't surprised that Tsunade was pissed at her considering Kabocha had been ducking and dodging her since she left the village before she could conduct her exam after her fight with Sakura. She hadn't spoken to the woman since then, and then the whole suitor fiasco wasn't helping matters.

"That still doesn't explain why your here, but I have bigger problems to deal with than you." Tsunade said through gritted teeth and Kabocha was almost anticipating the older woman to throw a punch her way. "Choji, go back to Choza and get him to the hospital immediately. He can be saved. Kabocha, you will stay here where I can see you."

"Fine by me. My brother and cousin are already out there aiding your people." Kabocha almost smirked as she heard Tsunade audibly grind her teeth together in irritation while Choji cried tears of relief for his father.

"There's nothing I can do about them now, but your here so here is where you will stay." Tsunade said in a resolute manner and all Kabocha did was shrug. This wasn't her village being blown to bits, and if Tsunade didn't want to utilize her power to stop some of the destruction happening then who was she to argue. She sat down on the ground with her legs crossed, closing her eyes to focus on her family. She made the decision to stay unless Shosha or Gin needed her.

She tuned out the rest of Tsunade and Choji's conversation about Kakashi's status in favor of meditating. She was almost in a deep mental place when the new scent that entered her presence, she left her eyes closed but slowly began to regain consciousness. The newcomer wasn't a friendly judging by Tsunade's hostile tone.

All of the bodies on the roof disappeared right as the newcomers left. Kabocha's eyes snapped open in alarm, her instincts sensing the danger as her eyes caught the orange haired man's ringed, purple gaze even from the five mile distance. Orange hair that matched her own was the fleeting thought that left her mind just as soon as it entered.

Kabocha made her decision when she remembered what Choji said this Pain's abilities were. He would only harm himself if he were to 'pull' anything towards himself; he was also much too high up to pull anything towards himself quickly. That means he was only going to do one thing…

She pulled a kunai out of the pouch on her now smooth thigh, having to release the scales for what she was about to do. She sliced both arms vertically starting at the crease of her elbow and going down to her palm. Kabocha drew on the cement in front of her for the seal that was going to protect everyone, the seal the required her very essence.

"Secret Ninja Art: Soul Barrier." Kabocha said quietly, never taking her eyes off of the floating rain ninja. A clear, sphere like shield with a hint of green and yellow surrounded her body. She fought through the exhaustion from the massive amounts of blood loss, and extended her barrier to every living soul in Konoha.

Shosha stopped running abruptly so he wouldn't run into the barrier. "What the hell...this can't be…" Shosha's eyes widened in both alarm and fear. "Kabocha don't you dare!"

Gin paused in swinging his feet from the building he was sitting next to Kiba on in favor of releasing a string of curses. "She wouldn't dare!" Gin cried out in confusion shocking both Tsume and Kiba.

"Who wouldn't dare? What the hell is the thing?" Tsume demanded as knocked her fist against it. Kiba pursed his lips even more confused than both Tsume and Gin, he had no idea where the strange shield came from.

Kabocha concentrated even harder, squeezing her eyes closed as she fought through the pain of covering every villager having seen the lead Pain raise his arms. She hadn't perfected the technique so she couldn't tell if she was getting animals as well; she just knew she had to get everyone in Konoha.

"Kabocha, don't do this! This isn't your village! Think about what you'd be doing to the Lava village! To our family! To me!" Shosha cried out in desperation, unaware that she could hear him.

Shikamaru let one of his hands reach out and touch the shimmering barrier. He wasn't stupid...he could feel the bond tugging in his chest. He could practically feel her essence in the barrier that protected him and everyone else as he listened to Shosha's anguished cries.

"I'm s-s-sorry...N-Naruto has….b-been...through e-enough." Kabocha gasped out as the lead Pain unleashed his attack, and she braced herself for the pain.

It's a funny thing how bonds work… What binds one person to another and the depth of each individual bond. The lasting effect that a bond can have on a person even after its long gone. Both men felt the snapping of the very bond that bound them to the woman that also bonded them together. The pain radiating throughout their entire bodies as her very soul felt the crushing weight of Pain's attack. Both men falling to their knees as the audible snap sounded in their ears, like the crunching of bone upon brutal impact. A piece of them dying with her last breath along with the barriers that she had extended her life force to...

"PLEASE KABOCHA!"

The bond with a sibling was always the hardest to let go of...

Very, very dark and maybe...just maybe...a hint of foreshadowing! Mmmwwahaha!

Guest: Hello lovely guest! I know all of the lovely, calm moments I give you guys are always AU. :') Lmao I'm sorry for that. Y'all deserve more sweet moments that aren't AU. Now that you mention it...I think I will include her explaining why she chose Zu Moritora over him or even Gaara. Thank you for the review and bringing that to my attention. Can't wait to hear from you again.

Guest: Hello gorgeous guest! If you thought chapter forty was a cliffhanger I know you're going to hate me for this one! You will be so satisfied with the way I get rid of Zu; there will be a round of applause! I really hope I put some of your nerves at ease; I probably just made them worse lol. I'm sorry! Thank you so much for the review! Stay tuned!

Guest: Hello pretty guest! I live for delivering the spice and drama! I think that we are finally nearing the climax of the story after forty long chapters of plotting and scheming lmao. I hope you're ready for the heat! Thank you for the review and and stay tuned!

Crazy Devil Girl: Ayyyyye Girl! Missed ya! That lovely threesome that took place was actually a MEMORY turned nightmare *gasp*! You are correct somewhat though; she was experiencing a dream since she fell asleep in the tub, but that dream did indeed happen minus the Sasuke and Zu taking advantage of her. That part only happened in her dream. No one took advantage of her. I made her play a huge role only because it's going to come back and bite her AND her family.

NixieNaajix: Always a pleasure to hear from you, Nix! Sooo good to be back! I hope your shower was enough to quell the heat lmao. !SPOILER ALERT! I have already planned out Temari and Kabocha's inevitbale fight down to the 'T'! I'll have to look into those crossovers because I'm interested in doing something like that. I have a Bleach/Durarara crossover already ready, but idk how people would feel about it. I've been a bit stressed with school and now work; just started my senior year at University. I'm trying to get back on my typing schedule; I'll get there eventually...hopefully lol. How have you been!? Thank you so much for the perfect review. I'm looking forward to seeing your review on the Pein attack and Kabocha's role!

Guest: Hello amazing guest! I know I threw a little steam at y'all! You all deserve it for being so patient with me! I'll try to add a few more scenes for ya! We've got two wars on the horizon so stay tuned! Thank you so much for the review!

Belladu57: Hello there, Bella! I'm happy you're enjoying everything so far; I hope this chapter is to your liking as well. Thank you so much for the review! Stay tuned for more Tamer!

SalvatoreChick: Hello, hello Salvatore! You're very welcome; my motto is I aim to please...my readers! If there's ever anything you wanna see specifically between the three just let me know! Thank you so much for the review, I really love hearing from you all! Stay tuned!

See y'all soon!