The lost soul..

The agitated voice of the Kazekage echoed off the walls of the hallway and reached the ears of one Sabaku no Temari as she made her way up the stairs to receive the mission she would be assigned today.

Judging by Gaara's tone of voice though she would have to see what was wrong, though she most likely already knew.

In the last few days, rumors among the high ranking ninja had been circling that Konoha was again on the move, to where was still uncertain, but spies had supposedly reported massive troop movements along the borders and within the villages of Konoha, Ame and Kusa. Hopefully they were wrong.

But as she entered her brothers office and found several secretaries and messenger ninjas running in an out in what seemed like a panicked frenzy she knew somewhere in the back of her mind that the rumors may just turn out to be more real than she would like.

"Gaara." her voice was barely heard over the background noise but the red headed Kazekage snapped his gaze up to meet hers. She saw a grimness in his eyes and immediately knew the answer to her question.

"Temari." He spoke as he stood up, letting the papers he was holding fall listlessly onto his desk as he gestured her to come over. She walked up next to him and watched as he leaned down to whisper something into her ear. "Find Kiba, Sakura, Ino, Shikamaru, Chouji and Hana and tell them to come to the Kazekage mansion at midnight tonight and make sure they are secretive about it. There's a mission of the utmost importance only they can accomplish."

She nodded before she turned and walked out the door the fear beginning to coil around her heart like a slithering snake.'

The Demon of Konoha was returning.

The doors to Zhuge's study room burst open as a young Kunoichi barged in, her expression a mixture of anger, anticipation and wariness. "Is it true?" She questioned as she marched up to the Raikage's desk.

The man calmly looked up from his scroll as he looked at her and spoke. "Is what true?"

"Don't play stupid master, you know exactly what I mean. Is it true that he's on the move again?" She nearly growled, allowing her anger and frustration seep into her voice.

The Raikage rolled up his scroll before he stood and faced her fully. "And even if it is child of what concern is it of yours?"

She looked momentarily taken aback before she spoke again. "What do you mean 'What concern is it of mine?' We've been preparing for nearly ten years for when he makes his move again, now he's finally made his move..."

"And we will do nothing until the time is right." He interrupted her firmly before he walked around his desk and looked at her dead in the eye. "You are still not ready Akina."

Her teeth ground against each other in anger as she snarled. "I've been training for so long, I've mastered my weapon, nearly mastered my lightning element and have gained control of three full tails of Kyuubi's chakra. You said that he most likely cant use the Bijuu's chakra for long. If I'm still not ready after all this time then damnit when the hell will I be!" She screamed the last part out as she pounded the desk in front of her with all her strength. The wood groaned and creaked in protest and the right leg buckled and splintered from the force, allowing it to lean dangerously to one side.

Zhuge watched her as she vented her frustration and remained silent as she continued speaking.

"Every day...I see him in my dreams, as he kills them over and over. I hear his voice as he says that I'll always be to weak...I want it to end. I want..."

"You desire revenge, but while you have been training so has he. And unless you follow my instructions Akina, you will never get your revenge upon him. Be patient...soon the time will come, but not yet."

He watched as her shoulders shook from holding back her tears of frustration, anger and acceptance of his words. Zhuge patted her once on the back before he straightened and silently left his office his own preparations needed to be made now that Konoha was on the warpath again. He must be ready for when the time came to execute his plans. 'Soon Akina, very soon you shall have your revenge and we shall all have our new world.'

Yoshihiro barged into the council chambers, silencing the uproar of voices that had been squabbling and panicking as he did.

He looked over the council members, several of whom were younger than him before he spoke. "Alright listen up because I'll make this extremely quick. "Konoha is reported to be advancing on our borders, We'll meet them at the only entry point Konoha now has into Iwa and mount our defenses there. Apparently they've gathered a huge force against us and still have plenty in reserves to guard their borders. Therefore, we need every man woman and able ninja at our disposal, even yourselves if you're still able."

One of the council men stood up he was young the Tsuchikage noticed before he spoke. "Yoshihiro-sama, the scouts report that the enemy ninja number nearly thirty one, hundred strong, compared to our force we have little chance of victory. We should send word for peace towards Konoha and attempt to stave this conflict before it starts.

Yoshihiro snorted. "Boy sit down, I've led more wars and fought in more battles than the years you've lived and I know from his previous actions any attempts at a peace talk will end in failure, he's powerful and ambitious, a deadly combination. Our only choice is a war of attrition." He looked to the rest of the council before he spoke again. "Now you are each expected to have your men ready to depart in two hours, otherwise it will be considered an act of treason and I will kill you myself. Good day." Before he turned and left as quickly as he had come, old as he was, he was still not someone to be trifled with.

As Yoshihiro exited the council room he caught sight of his nephew Toyohisa. The young man straightened as he saw his uncle approached and offered a smile in greeting.

"Uncle, how did the mee..." He stopped as Yoshihiro took off his robe and tossed it over his shoulders before taking off his hat and placing it on his head. "Your in charge until I get back."

It took him a moment to catch up with what his uncle had said. "WHAT! WAIT A MINUTE, UNCLE!" He yelled catching up to the man before he placed himself infront of him as he walked backwards. "What do you mean until you get back? I'm coming too!"

"No you're not." the older man stated simply as he continued walking.

"But uncle...I cant just sit by while..."

"How old is little Yachiru now, Toyohisa?" The tall man questioned locking eyes with his nephew.

The younger man paused for a moment at the unexpected inquiry towards his young daughter. "She's three uncle, you know that."

"Wouldn't you like to be here when she becomes four?" The question made the young man pause as his uncle continued. "I have lived my life already and am proud to have seen you become the man that you are today, I'm sure your parents would have been too. You still have your life to live, let an old man sacrifice his if its necessary."

"But uncle...your..."

"Yeah yeah." Yoshihiro interrupted him with a wave of his hand. "Getting old I know." He held back a few coughs in his chest before he swallowed and cleared his throat. "I am still..."

"The Devil Shimazu, I know." The younger man sighed as Yoshihiro placed an arm on his shoulder before he spoke. "You'll do fine kid. If anything happens to me, I leave you as the head of our clan, and I name you my successor as Tsuchikage. Understood."

Toyohisa straightened before he placed his hand on his chest and bowed slightly. "Yes sir."

Yoshihiro nodded before he walked passed him.

Shino watched as his ninja leapt silently through the forest.

Naruto had appointed him as the commanding general for this attack, Hinata was his second in command and had left Hanabi back in Konoha to watch over the clan affairs while she was gone, Tenten and Lee were their respective lieutenants.

While he was not overly concerned over their chances at victory he was concerned over facing the Tsuchikage himself. The so called, Devil Shimazu.

Apparently the man had fought in the Iwa Konoha war nearly thirty years ago and had managed to defeat the Sandaime in single combat, while his age may have dulled some of his skills he was still something to take notice of.

Still Naruto had entrusted the success of this invasion to him, and he would fight to the best of his abilities. Already he had requested additional forces from Kiri as a precaution and had received word that they would be sending Guan's apprentice Mika, and his recently adopted son Toushiro.

Indeed, if everything went as planned, Iwa would soon be under their control.

Gaara paced back and fourth within his backyard his eyes troubled and concerned as he waited for Temari and the others arrival.

He just couldn't believe it, now when he was just starting to get a handle over the proverbial mess Suna had become since the death of his father this crap had to start up and kick up the hornets nest all over again. Still this time he will not sit idly by while the council debated like fools. He would do what he had to do to protect Suna.

Just then the back door of the house creaked open revealing Temari, Kiba, Hana, Shikamaru, Sakura, Chouji and Ino. Each of their faces looking grim with a silent smoldering anger within their eyes, no doubt word had already reached their ears.

"Its good you all came, as Temari probably told you I have a very important mission for you." They each nodded silently allowing him to continue. "This mission must be carried out with the utmost secrecy, Suna, as of yet cannot be compromised in this and should you any of you be captured, I'm afraid no rescue from our part can be made. The need for secrecy is such that I will have to request you give in your headband the moment you choose to accept."

"Come on Gaara what is it already?" Kiba growled in annoyance as his impatience got the better of him.

Gaara looked straight at them. "Intelligence reports Konoha is advancing on Iwa...the Tsuchikage, Yoshihiro Shimazu is moving to meet them. You are to go and provide assistance to Iwa in their fight against Konoha.