Kind artwork drawn by Lammington on deviantART. 

Disclaimer: The characters of Naruto belong to Kishimoto.

Warning: Uh...

Beta: Kalafina94

Beta: silverseed

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Interlude – Omniscient– 2

"We cannot allow him as our Kage anymore," a Kiri shinobi declared.

Mei nodded in agreement, staring at the large mass of faces before her. "I know and I understand, but we have to tread carefully. We cannot allow the one who is controlling Yagura to know of our plan. Not to mention eliminating Yagura will be difficult."

"Then what do you propose we do?"

Mei glanced towards Chōjūrō, her gaze uncertain. As always, the young boy gave her a shy and warm smile. She smiled in return immediately, and when she glanced back at the audience, she felt a plan slowly form in her mind. ". Here's what we do."

Meanwhile in the shadows, two yellow eyes stared unblinkingly at Mei, listening intently.

. . .

. .

.

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"Nao!" Yagura barked, seething with irritation. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Blearily, I cracked my eyes open, staring at the looming form of Yagura, my mind muddled from sleep. It took a heartbeat or two before I quickly realized what was going on and what was about to happen. I let out a startled shriek, leaping out of bed and making a mad dash for my clothes.

"I'm sorry!" I cried out, leaping into the closet, grabbing my change of clothes and changing as quickly as I could. "Oh God, I'm so sorry!"

Yagura seethed and in each of his hands, he held a cup of ice water and a cup of boiling water. I knew from experience that had I not woken up and made a quick move, he would have dumped the boiling water on me first, followed by the ice water.

Yagura hated it when someone wasn't punctual. It pissed him off to no end and he wasn't afraid to show it. I knew that from experience as well, any time I was late for a training practice —even by so much as a minute— the practice was twice as brutal. At times, he made Gai and Lee's training seem normal and nice. When I had finished getting dressed, I stepped out of the closet, bowing lowly and still having a sort of mini-panic attack.

Yagura eyed me another moment before he set the cups down on the nightstand. "I will allow it to slide this once, as I know you were exhausted due to our. trip, and that trip was on my behalf. But Nao, if you so much as—"

"I-I know," I said quickly, too relieved I was forgiven. "I'm sorry, Yagura-sensei."

He snorted. "Whatever. Let's go, little dove."

At the nickname, I felt a small swell of affection. "Hai, Sensei."

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A pattern had settled in Konoha, one that hadn't meant to be set into place. Once the others had learned of my return to Konoha, they stopped by on occasion, whisking me (and sometimes Yagura, as well) out for a bite to eat or something entertaining to do. During the day, however, Yagura trained me, as he had for the majority of our journey together. We did not take missions for numerous reasons; the first and most prominent being Yagura, the second being that I was scheduled for a rank test and thus was given leeway, and the third being we were expecting the return of Naruto and Sasuke any moment and I didn't want to be out of the village and risk not seeing them.

After my test —I would receive the results within half a week's time— Yagura and myself headed towards the hospital. It was time for Yagura's appointment and it would be best if I had my bi-annual check-up as well.

The hospital had a sterile smell to it, one that I didn't care too much for. Yagura, as always, kept his face and opinion entirely unreadable and his tone and posture stiff and formal when the nurse directed us.

In the waiting room, we sat quietly side by side until a familiar pinkette entered the rather empty (only Yagura and myself were in it, surprisingly) room. ". Yamanaka-san?"

I stood up, flattening my skirt of wrinkles before I recognized the girl.

"Sakura-san?" I blinked.

The older girl glanced up from her clipboard, her eyes lighting up with recognition. "Nao-chan? Oh, wow. Hello, how have you been?"

Inwardly, I frowned. ". I have been well, and you?"

"Ah, busy," Sakura said, rolling her eyes. "I actually managed to pass with my team, but our sensei didn't let us take the Chūnin Exams for another year. Anyway, after I became a Chūnin, my sensei directed me to the medical corps —she thought I would do some good here— and I took a few classes and. voilà." Sakura gave me a smirk. "I'm actually training under Shizune-sensei."

"Congratulations," I murmured, still feeling unsure of how to respond to the girl.

On one hand, she would forever remain as the girl who broke my sister's heart and idiotically chased after Sasuke. She was an annoyance and pest at best in that regard. On the other hand, I truly hadn't seen the girl in years and who knew how much she may or may not have changed since then. It would be irrational for me to judge her upon more childish days.

"I talked to Ino-chan the other day," Sakura continued, unminding of my neutral face, "and she told me you went on a training trip of sorts and that you go back. How cool was that? What was it like?"

"Interesting."

"That's good. Oh, well I suppose we should get to your check-up now, yes? I'll be the one administrating it. Hope you don't mind."

"Not at all, Sakura-san."

Sakura smiled brightly at me as Shizune entered the room.

"Kame-san," Shizune said, gesturing towards Yagura. Yagura stood up from his seat.

I frowned slightly, giving him a worried look.

Yagura noticed my look and bristled. He snapped, "Don't give me that look. I can take care of myself quite well, thank you."

I flushed, looking away sheepishly.

Shizune giggled at the exchange. "Don't worry, Nao-chan. I promise to return him in good health."

I only blushed more darkly in response. When those two left, Sakura seemed to be smirking at me.

"What?" I mumbled.

Sakura giggled. "Nothing. Nothing at all."

I frowned in response.

Lying liar who lies.

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"Weren't they supposed to be here an hour ago?" Yagura growled, his foot tapping impatiently on the dirt floor.

"Kakashi-sensei has a tendency to, um. show up a little late," I said slowly, eying Yagura's growing anger. I had a very nasty feeling that he and Kakashi wouldn't get along well. Not at all. Yagura shot me a baleful look.

"I do hope you have no intentions in following your previous sensei's footsteps in that regard."

"No," I admitted truthfully, making sure not to add because I know you wouldn't stand it and frankly, your temper is scary enough as it is.

Yagura snorted softly, frowning as he stared at the horizon another moment. Another ten minutes passed by as the two of us continued to stand at the front gates of Konoha.

"I am going to kill them," Yagura said lowly.

". Please don't."

Before Yagura could respond, both of us quickly noticed dots on the horizon. Yagura muttered darkly, "About damn time."

As the dots approached, I saw Naruto and Sasuke conversing —mostly Naruto was yelling about something and Sasuke would say something in return, smirking all the while— with Kakashi and Jiraiya in the back, staring at the two Genin with amused expressions.

Naruto was the first to notice me and he gave a shout of joy, cutting off whatever he was saying —yelling— to Sasuke to instead sprint at full speed towards me. I frowned, quickly changing my posture and bracing for impact—

Naruto's arms wrapped around me and I was thrown up into the air as he twirled me around. "Nao-chan! I missed you. How have you been? Did everything go alright? I'm really sorry we had to leave you in Konoha like that."

I laughed joyfully as the others finally reached us. Naruto set me on the ground while Sasuke flicked my nose. I crinkled my nose in distaste at the action, scowling at his smug smirk.

"Sorry, if we had known you were waiting for us, we would have hurried," Kakashi apologized to me, affectionately patting the top of my head. I smiled and blushed at the action.

"It's alright," I instantly forgave them. "It's good to see you all home. And ah. I have some news for you."

"Oh," Jiraiya chuckled, realization dawning on his face. "That's right. I never told you guys."

"Told us what?" Naruto asked curiously.

Jiraiya only snickered in response. "I had to come back to Konoha to, uh. check some things and confirm a few other things. Damn, I wish I had a camera for your responses."

"Why would you want a camera.? What's going on?" Sasuke asked suspiciously.

I cleared my throat, drawing attention to myself. "Well, as the two of you are no doubt aware. you two went on a two-year training trip. Not only to help focus solely on your training, but so that way, the Akatsuki and Orochimaru couldn't keep your location pinpointed."

"That's right," Kakashi said. "What about it?"

"I went on a journey of my own."

They stared at me another moment.

"What?" Naruto repeated. ". With who?"

"Originally by myself."

"What?" Kakashi repeated, his eye narrowing.

"Please tell me you're joking," Naruto pleaded, staring at me with a worried expression.

"No and I'm fine," I dismissed his worry. "I wasn't allowed to leave the Fire Country and I had to visit multiple stops along the way. I barely went a week without running into another Konoha shinobi or close ally and friend of Konoha or family member. I was perfectly safe, I could take care of myself, and there was no need for concern."

"How in the hell did Inoichi agree to that?" Kakashi asked incredulously.

"He didn't really get a chance to," I answered.

"Wait, you said originally," Sasuke said slowly —and Jiraiya snickered once he realized where this conversation was going. "Who traveled with you?"

Yagura cleared his throat.

I turned towards him, smiling nervously at Naruto's, Sasuke's and Kakashi's darkening expressions. "E-Everyone. this is my sensei, Yagura-sama, previously the Mizukage of Kirigakure."

"The same Kage that ordered Zabuza to slaughter his fellow classmates before he was even ten?" Kakashi inquired, his eye narrowed dangerously and his posture stiffening.

"The same Kage that renewed Kirigakure's nickname Village Hidden in the Bloody Mist?" Sasuke's own eyes narrowed into slits.

"And the same Kage who was given the title Red Torrent?" Naruto took a step forward.

Yagura blinked, his expression showing boredom. ". And?"

"Don't bait them," I sighed tiredly. He shot me a nasty look in return.

"Explain to me why he was allowed to travel with you," Kakashi ordered.

"Isn't he like. 30?"

"I'm twenty-two," Yagura snapped.

"You look twelve," Naruto jeered.

"Aren't you supposed to be dead?" Sasuke asked.

"Yes, I am supposed to be dead," Yagura told him. "My reasons for traveling with Nao remain S-Rank classified information, and my existence remains S-Ranked classified information, as well. I normally wear a mask, but Nao insisted on informing you. boys. of the truth. My alias in Konoha is Zonbi Kame."

Naruto snickered at that while Sasuke and Kakashi stared blankly at him. Jiraiya flat out laughed.

"Z-Zombie turtle?" Naruto snickered. "R-Really? Who came up with that?"

With great pains, Yagura muttered, ". Anko-san."

This time Kakashi chuckled while Naruto joined Jiraiya in the laughter. Sasuke sighed, peering at Yagura. ". How long were you traveling with her?"

"We met a month into my journey and I left a day after you," I supplied.

". And your relationship?"

"I'm not a fucking pedophile," Yagura snapped.

"Are you saying she's not cute enough?" Naruto demanded.

"What?!"

"My sister is cute enough to attract thousands of pedophiles," Naruto declared, bringing me in close to him. "Are you saying she isn't?"

Yagura flushed. "She's attractive in her own right—"

"So you admit it," Sasuke interrupted smoothly. "You make me sick. Go fantasize about someone else's little sister."

"Guys!" I squeaked, mortified.

Yagura glowered darkly, reaching for his staff. My eyes widened as I realized what was about to happen. I pushed away from Naruto, quickly spreading out my hands and placing one on Yagura's chest and one on Naruto's. "Guys! Stop. Please."

". Fine," Naruto muttered.

Sasuke shrugged.

Kakashi continued to eye Yagura. ". I'll be watching you, Zonbi-san."

Yagura sneered. "As if I'm scared of a petty Jōnin."

"Don't bait them," I pleaded. "Please? Can't we all get along.?"

Yagura snorted, his face blanking off as his tone returned to something more formal. "But of course. Now then, I suppose it would be in our best interest to escort you to Tsunade-hime's office. I'm sure she is anxious to see you all again."

"Right," Jiraiya chuckled.

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I watched as Naruto and Sasuke tag-teamed to take down Kakashi. Yagura sat beside me, our backs pressed against the tree while I fiddled with my goggles. The strap had come undone somehow and I was having trouble reattaching it. Yagura eyed the fight with a calculated gleam in his eyes.

"What do you think?" Tsunade asked, her voice a low murmur.

"They're definitely skilled," Yagura allowed, his voice monotone. "However, they're both rather aggressive, aren't they? The blond one, while he does pause every now and then, he mostly charges in. Even the other one is aggressive in his own right. While he seems to think out his actions more clearly, he's not even considering a defensive position, focusing solely on offense."

"If you think they're bad now, you should have seen them before we trained them," Jiraiya laughed.

"Yes, well," Yagura said dubiously, "it's still something that will have to be corrected in the future."

"Perhaps," Tsunade mused. "But I'm still impressed."

"I'm sure you are."

Tsunade didn't bother reacting to his comment.

"Nao-chan," Yagura said pleasantly, his tone brightening. I glanced up from my work, tilting my head curiously. "I swear if I ever catch you acting like these two idiots in battle, I will beat sense into you."

I gulped. "H-H-Hai, Sensei."

Yagura smiled at me, laughing in amusement at my reaction. He noticed my goggles and deftly removed them from my hands, effortlessly reattaching the strap back to them. I smiled easily as he returned them. "Thank you, Sensei."

Yagura gave a hum in reply, turning back to continue watching the fight.

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"I've seen enough," Tsunade called out. Sasuke, Naruto and Kakashi froze in their fight before they all flickered to stand before Tsunade. She stared at them another moment before motioning over towards Yagura and myself. Yagura stood up with ease before offering his hand to me. Taking my hand, he pulled me up alongside him and the two of us walked to stand before Tsunade.

"Hamon Yagura, Hatake Kakashi, Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto and Yamanaka Nao, from this day forward, you five will make up the specialized team by the name of Saigo-no-Shudan, or SS for short."

I blinked in surprise at that, and I could feel Sasuke and Naruto's confusion as well. Team Last Resort? What does that mean? Kakashi eyed Tsunade for a moment.

"Wasn't the SS a disbanded ANBU corps?" Sasuke inquired.

"In a way, yes. The ANBU Division SS was used as the village's last defense; however, that was before we really had a solid defense and as such, we felt ready to dissolve the Division," Tsunade said, her voice clipped. "There will be more members added to the team, but for the moment, you five will consist of it. The threat of the Akatsuki has grown significantly over the last couple of years."

Tsunade's eyes rested on Yagura. "New developments and information have been brought into light and as such, I and the Clan Heads felt the need to design a team especially suited for the Akatsuki and their members. If you accept your position in this team, you will fall under my orders, and my orders alone. You will abide by the previous ANBU Division SS rules with a few exceptions, and all of you will be forced to take the fast-progression ranking test."

"The fast. what?" Naruto echoed.

"The fast-progression ranking test," Kakashi repeated. "Normally used in time of war when prodigies and well-deserving shinobi deserve to advance a rank, but cannot take the Chūnin Exams due to the war, or something else of the like. I took the test myself and that's how I received my early promotion. However, on the next possible Chūnin Exam, I was forced to take the Exam in order to see if I kept my rank."

"So we'll be Chūnin?" Sasuke inquired.

"Or Jōnin. Whichever rank best suits you," Tsunade said shortly.

"What are the rules that we must abide to?" I asked hesitantly.

"Rule one; you fall under my rule only. The council has no right to influence you whatsoever and you are not allowed to be influenced by them at all. Rule two; any classified information leaked outside of the team will be dealt with as treason of the highest order and the traitor will be executed. Rule three; you will protect Konoha no matter the cost. Choosing not to will be dealt with as treason of the highest order."

Kakashi nodded his head slowly. "Not the real ANBU rules, then?"

"No," Tsunade said. "Not everyone is ready for that kind of commitment to Konoha."

"So what do we do now?" Naruto asked hesitantly. "Do we. Aw, can we get our own ANBU gear or something? Aw, come on, please?"

Tsunade frowned, looking hesitant. ". If you want to design your own uniform, you can submit it to me for reviewing and I will think on it."

"Ino," I said immediately.

"She better make it look kick-ass," Naruto said sternly.

"She will," I assured them. ". I kind of want a cool uniform, too."

Sasuke rolled his eyes, while Naruto nodded empatically.

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"So you want me to design. a completely badass uniform for a special Division you guys are in?" Ino inquired, peering at me and Naruto. Naruto nodded his head and beamed while Sasuke cursed from behind.

Sasuke actually accepted Shikamaru's shoji challenge.

He was seriously regretting that decision.

"Can you do it?" Naruto asked eagerly.

"Of course I can," Ino sniffed. "Don't underestimate me. Damn, I'm jealous. I want to be part of this team, too."

"You'd have to get Chō and Shika to agree with you," I said. "There's no way Tsunade-sama will be willing to break up the trio."

". Damn, that's going to be hard. I'll do it, though. Somehow. you watch."

"I'm sure you will," I said, smiling brightly at her. "And I'll be waiting for you."

Ino smiled adoringly at me, reaching over and pulling me into a hug. I giggled, hugging her back as tightly. "I love you, little sister."

"Love you, too, sis."

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.

. .

. . .

Interlude – Nao – 2

It had been two days since Kame began traveling with me. He still hadn't regained his memory and at times, he seemed dazed and confused. In a lot of ways, he reminded me of how Sasuke was in his catatonic days back after the massacre. It was worrying and rather depressing seeing the boy act as such. He really couldn't have been that much older than myself and it pained me to see someone so young already have something so traumatic happen to them that it left them in an amnesiac state.

Night had fallen and I had set up camp. Kame was using my spare sleeping bag and set of clothes until we could reach another village and purchase his own clothing and such. We hadn't bothered setting up a watch, as I had set up an alerting seal around us. A bonus, I supposed, of being forced to learn fūinjutsu.

The moon was high above the sky when I was awakened by a startled shout. My eyes flew open and I shot upright, staring around the camp with sharp eyes.

When nothing seemed dangerous, and no one seemed to be in danger, I frowned. It was then that I heard another whimper.

Turning my head, I noticed that it was Kame who had given the shout. He was half sprawled out of the sleeping bag, sweating heavily and his face was screwed up in pain. My eyes flew open and I lurched out of my bag, quickly hurrying over to him.

before I was about to shake him awake, I paused, remembering what my sister and mother had done for me when I had a nightmare.

Instead of waking him up immediately, I slowly roused him awake by gently petting his hair and whispering softly in his ear. His thrashing slowly died down as he gradually returned to the waking world. When his eyes opened up blearily, there was raw terror in them.

". A-Are you okay?" I asked hesitantly, still petting his hair.

"Eyes," Kame whispered hoarsely. "Red eyes. everywhere. I can't. I can't ever move. I can't ever speak. I'm. I'm trapped. Why? Why was I trapped? I don't. Why would he.?"

He faltered, his eyes screwing closed and he gave a great shudder.

". Go back to sleep, Kame-kun," I whispered. "I promise to keep away the eyes."

His eyes snapped open and he looked at me, madness and hysteria creeping into his gaze. "Swear?"

"I swear," I swore.

He swallowed roughly, nodding to himself. "O-Okay. I will. Yeah. Thank you. Nao-chan."

I smiled shyly as he closed his eyes. It wasn't long before he drifted back into sleep.

But I didn't leave his side for a long while.

After all, I did swear to keep the bad dreams away.

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Question: Favorite summoned animal?

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