Fitting fanart by Mai-Shibata-Uchiha on deviantART. 

Beta: Lavendor Queen

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

"Alright," Obito said, his arm wrapped around me. "I'll 'kidnap' Bee (but actually just Kumo think I'm kidnapping him and allow him to slip away) and in about three days the Kage Summit will be called. I will appear before them, claim I'm Madara and declare war, yadda, yadda. I'll rage the war, and Itachi will be performing Edo-Tensei. After that point has been reached, I will be 'killed' by Naruto, Kakashi, Sasuke, Jiraiya and some of the Akatsuki. I get all of that... but what I don't understand is why the hell is Kakashi involved."

If I could have rolled my eyes, I would have. "Because you need to die before the shinobi alliance arrives or else someone will call bullshit. And you need to die by a nice variety, but still by shinobi we trust enough not to reveal your identity. And besides... Kakashi's missed you."

"I don't want to tell him," Obito muttered petulantly.

"He stands at your grave every day he's in Konoha for hours on end, regardless of the weather or time."

"So?"

"He's so guilt-ridden by your death he doesn't think that he deserves to be happy."

"... So?"

"He devoted himself to your nindo and your sacrifice."

"... So..."

"So... come on, Obito. Have a heart."

Obito sighed. "Can't he just be one of those ignorant ones - "

"Obito, he deserves the truth."

"Mia..."

"Please?"

"Mia..."

"Please?"

"... Mia..."

"For me?"

Obito groaned. "Fine. Fine. When we go back to Konoha, I'll tell him the truth and the plan. Are you sure he'll even go along with the plan?"

"He will," I said, completely confident.

There was a knock at our bedroom door.

"Come in," I chirped, "Kakashi."

The door opened and Kakashi stepped in, closing it behind him. "You said you wanted to see me while Naruto and Sasuke were still talking with their PenPals...?"

"Hang on," I said, sliding away from Obito and grabbing the video camera. I fumbled with the controls a bit, and Obito sighed and assisted me. When the camera was properly positioned, Obito turned to Kakashi and cleared his throat.

"There's something you need to know," Obito said, dropping his Tobi persona. "First of all, I'm not actually Tobi. That's not my name. Second, you're a sentimental idiot. Third, this is going to take a long time, so please take a seat."

Kakashi did not verbally respond, but he did grab a chair a and take a seat, because Obito continued. "If it were me, I wouldn't have told you, but... well... my life isn't really just mine anymore. I've made some... errors... in my judgement. I don't care to admit it, but... I was blinded by my anger and grief for a long time and now... now it's not so hard to see. However, I've done some things I'm not proud of. I've dug too deep a hole and a lot of my actions are regrettable. But, I would like to... to change that now. To do that, I'll need your help."

And then there was the soft click as Obito removed his mask.

Kakashi sucked in a sharp breath.

"... It's been a while since we were able to talk like this, Kakashi," Obito said softly.

Kakashi did not verbally respond, and for a long time, neither did Obito.

"... Do you need me to get you a tissue or something?" Obito asked incredulously.

When Kakashi spoke, his voice was rough. "... No. I just... Is that really you, Obito?"

"Yeah. You know it is."

"Why didn't you... why didn't you...?"

Obito sighed. "It's a long story. Are you prepared to listen?"

"Yes," Kakashi said quickly.

"... After I fell unconscious from the rock fall, I awoke to find myself in this strange cave..."

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

"Hey, dear," I said, neatly mincing some carrots. Naruto had entered the kitchen and greeted me with a bright hello and a kiss on the cheek. "How's your meeting with Nagato?"

"Awesome!" Naruto exclaimed. "He's like... so cool! Hey, have you seen Sasuke or Kakashi?"

"Kakashi's sobbing his eyes out in my room at the moment and Sasuke's conspiring a plan for vengeance with his brother," I said.

"Wait... what?"

"Okay, so maybe not sobbing, but he's very... clingy... right now."

"... I thought Sasuke hated his brother because he was evil incarnate or something?"

"It's a long story, dear. You'll understand soon enough."

"Understand what?"

The owner of the voice was so unexpected, I almost messed up my mincing process. "... Leader-sama? What are you doing here?"

"... I was actually looking for you or Tobi," Nagato said quietly, via his Deva Path. "I wanted... I wanted to discuss the Akatsuki plans with you."

"Oooh. Good. We can discuss them after dinner, if that's okay with you. I think I'll be able to pry Kakashi away from him long enough for that."

"... Very well."

"Naruto-chan is a good boy, isn't he?"

"Aa. He is."

"Hey, don't talk like I'm not here," Naruto pouted.

I set my knife down and turned my back to the counter, holding out my hand. Naruto took my hand in his own and I pulled him closer. I placed my other hand on top of his head and then I kissed the top of his head. "Go ahead and tell everyone that dinner will be ready soon, please."

"Aa. Come on, Nagato-nii-chan. Let's go, let's go! And you promise to show me that super awesome jutsu after you talk with Tobi and Kaa-chan, right? Right?"

"Aa. I promise."

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

After dinner, I grabbed Kakashi by the hand and started dragging him away. "Kakashi, we're going to the bakery! ... Please make sure I don't run into anything along the way."

Kakashi squeezed my hand and sped up his pace so he could walk beside me. "... Is Tobi coming with us?"

"No."

Kakashi hesitated. "... Will he be joining us?"

"No."

"... Maybe I should just drop you off and - "

"Oh my God. Stop obsessing over my boyfriend. He's mine. You can't have him. I will fight you for him. Rawr."

Kakashi gave a quiet, nervous chuckle. "I'm not obsessing over him - "

If I could look at him with my own eyes, I would have given a look that conveyed: You're-in-more-denial-than-I-am-honey. Kakashi must have realized this because he cleared his throat and tugged on my hand, deftly allowing me to move out of the way of an upcoming obstacle and remain silent.

The two of us left the tower and headed out onto the streets. A place I was intimately familiar with, so I didn't need a guide anymore. Releasing his hand, I skipped down the street, shivering in the chilly rain. We traversed in silence, the sound of our footsteps and the rain the only sound around us. It didn't take long for us to reach my usual bakery shop, and I opened the doors with confidence once could only receive from familiarity.

The smell of baked sweets filled the warm air, and the bell on the door jingled. The sweet lady that ran the shop, Ana, said, "Welcome back, Mia-sama. Usual?"

"Yes, please," I said, reaching out a hand as I walked over to my usual spot. I grasped the soft chair and took a seat, grinning brightly.

The chair in front of me squeaked as Kakashi pulled it back and sat down. Suddenly, I felt the warm blanket that I normally kept here fall over my shoulders. I pulled it against me. "Thank you, Ana-chan."

Ana murmured a reply, before she headed away.

"I know you don't like sweets, but they do have some bitter chocolate here," I said. "Go ahead and order what you like. I have a tab here."

"You come here often enough you have your own blanket," Kakashi stated.

I shrugged. "It's nice and private. Tobi and I can eat here without his mask on. See the curtains? We just pull them back and viola. Instant privacy. We both like sweet food and with the one-way window-wall, it has a nice street-side view. Besides, the food is pretty damn awesome."

A grin took over my face. "I even have it set up so I can charge my laptop down here. Well, all the laptops. Truth be told, this is our favorite place to do multigames. Sasori's usual spot is over there by the corner, and Itachi usually sits next to me. Hidan mixes it up, but Kakuzu is pretty loyal to the chairs by the door. Deidara likes the counter spot and Tobi sits across from me. Kisame normally sits next to Tobi, but sometimes he'll sit by Kakuzu."

Kakashi's voice was warm, and I had a feeling he was smiling behind his mask, "The Akatsuki don't really seem like a criminal organization."

"I know, right? I'm so proud of myself. I'm, like, the ultimate manipulator."

Kakashi actually laughed at that.

"Bringing all these high-class S-Ranked criminals to their knees. Sort of. We're more like a dysfunctional family at this point, especially with Naruto and Sasuke joining the mix. And Sakura and Ino. And Hinata. Which reminds me, I need to finish making their laptops... then I can start tinkering with the range capabilities..." I trailed off thoughtfully, wondering how I could do such a thing. It would obvious to just need amplify it from its current state - no need to overcomplicate it. Given how most of the parts on the laptops were chakra made, and how versatile chakra was and how in some cases, amplifies things, I wondered if chakra could be used as basis for the waves. Maybe even produce the waves at such a higher frequency rate that it would have enough energy to -

Kakashi snapped his fingers in front of my face and I snapped back into reality. "Sorry."

"... Still, though..." Kakashi trailed off. "... You know, you never really talk about your homeland."

I stilled.

"You had a family, didn't you? One you left behind? I know it's not my business to ask, but..."

"It's okay," I managed, my stomach churning. I tried not to think about them a lot, to be entirely honest. I couldn't return home, and I couldn't think of a way to send any sort of message across to them. Even Obito couldn't replicate what he had originally done - it was something he did subconsciously and given how I had originally arrived (literally kicked out of my own world), I imagined it wasn't an open-door thing.

It was a one-way ticket.

So I tried not to dwell on them, because it was hard. Leaving everyone behind was really hard. Coming into a new world was really, really hard. It was easier to just ignore it, just focus on things that I could actually do something about.

Momma always said it was pointless to worry over things I couldn't change.

I didn't even have pictures of them on my hard drive. Oh, sure, I had family photo albums, but they were hard copies. Things I left behind. What pictures I had on my hard drive mostly consisted of pet pictures and a handful of silly pictures with my friends. And a lot of cosplay stuff, but that was moot.

Although I could not use my eyes, I couldn't help, but turn my 'gaze' down. My chest was starting to ache and I bit my bottom lip.

Shit. If I cry, it'll hurt like a son of a bitch because of my condition, I thought, starting to rock in place. "Red."

"What?"

"I don't know. I'm trying not to think about stuff that's going to make me emotional because I cannot cry now. If you make me cry, you're pretty much effing over my eyes even more so."

"Sorry, I didn't realize - er - so - um - I'm not obsessed with your boyfriend."

I gave a strained choking sound, in a vain attempt to laugh at that. "Bull shit. I don't have eyes and I can see you mooning over him."

"I am not mooning over him."

"What? Are you my rival now? First I had to compete with Rin, now I have to compete with you? What the hell?"

"I am not your love rival."

"Mm-hmm. Just remember your place. It's me he'll always return to."

Kakashi snickered. "Yes, ma'am."'

"Do I look like a ma'am?" I whined. "Jeeze, first Hinata-chan and now you."

"It's the bandages."

"I knew it. Damn these bandages."

"Does Tobi need help kidnapping Bee? Or in the war?" Kakashi asked. "I didn't get a chance to ask him last night..."

"No. He's fine."

"You sure? I could fake my death, too, you know, and help him..."

"Wow. You are my love rival, what with the way you're bending over for him."

"Mia, you do not need to worry about me in that regard. Or anyone for that matter. He only has eyes for you."

"That doesn't mean I'm okay with others throwing themselves at him."

"Seriously, Mia. I promise you that I am not attracted to Obito in that manner, nor is he attracted to me in that manner. And I swear we will never be attracted to each other in that manner."

"Oh, fine. Kill my threesome fantasies then."

"What. What. You have threesome fantasies?"

"No. But now I definitely won't now because you just shot those chances with your cruel, senseless words."

"Here you are, Mia-sama," Ana said. I heard the soft tink as a plate of sweet, delicious baked goods was set in front of me and a cup of hot, sweetened milk tea.

"Can I get you anything, Shinobi-san?"

"Hot black tea is fine, thank you."

Ana demurred a response before she left.

"Now comes the hard part," I sighed, reaching out hesitantly for the tea.

"Do you need me to feed you?" Kakashi inquired politely.

I huffed. "I don't need anyone to feed me."

"Tobi fed you last night."

"Only because I was intimidated by your presence and wanted to show you your place. He's mine."

"Oh my God..."

I grinned widely. "Oh, I'm kidding. I just like watching you squirm." I paused. "... Well, in my mind you're squirming, at least."

A hand was placed over my head, ruffling my hair. "Maa. You're more annoying than a little sister."

"I am not. I'm just as annoying."

Kakashi chuckled.

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

I sneezed, sniffling. Another towel was placed on my head, the first and second towel being wrapped around me. The towel on my head began to move as he started to scrub on my wet hair. He sighed, "Honestly, Mia, you know better than to play in the rain for so long."

"I was stalling for time," I protested. "I didn't know when you or Nagato would be done talking."

Obito sighed again and continued to dry my hair. "We finished a while ago."

"And?"

"And he's willing to go along with our plan. Him and Konan. Meaning tonight, I'll 'kidnap' Bee, and tomorrow morning Naruto, Sasuke and Kakashi will leave for Konoha. I'll go ahead and implant the evidence onto Danzo tonight, so by the time you three get back to Konoha (which would be in about two days), he'll already be on trial."

I perked up. "Do you think I could watch him be on trial?"

"No," Obito said patiently. "You're still a civilian and civilians aren't allowed to attend trials for shinobi... safety reasons, you understand. Anyway, Sasuke will have his revenge (justice), Itachi will be cleared and then the Summit will occur. You will accompany Nagato and Konan to the Summit - as they will represent the neutral lands, given their ties to the Akatsuki - and Nagato and Konan will be able to reveal their true identities in the process. Meaning, no more hiding."

I frowned. "... Is Nagato going to take a path?"

"No," Obito said. "He's going as himself. The Summit will commence then I shall interrupt, flirt with you, and generally just be awesome."

I giggled. Obito stopped drying my hair and set the towel elsewhere. He placed a firm kiss on my forehead then continued to talk, "War will be declared, yadda, yadda. Akatsuki will say they will assist in the war, but Itachi will explain his illness to Tsunade. Doubtlessly, she'll place him out of the war and to assuage Sasuke and Naruto (because you know both of them will be pestering her for it), she will treat Itachi to the best of her abilities before the war. When the war occurs, I'll fetch Itachi so he can use Edo-Tensei (as we have all the necessary supplies now, thanks to the fact Itachi remembered to ask Kabuto where all his supplies for the jutsu was) and then hide him away.

"The war will carry on for a while and I'll pretend to be defeated by the hands of Naruto, Sasuke, Kakashi and the Akatsuki. Sasuke, Kakashi, Naruto, Nagato, Konan, Kisame, and you are the only ones that will know the full plan," Obito finished summarizing. "So. Big night tonight. Go ahead and get to bed - I'll join you after I take of the things."

I pouted. "No. I'll wait up for you."

"It'll be a late night," Obito warned.

"We can sleep in tomorrow."

"If you're sure..."

"I am."

There was a moment of pause before Obito started to gently push me down on the bed. "I don't know. Unlike me, you need sleep. Just sleep for a little bit, I can wake you when I come back."

I reached out and grabbed the front of his shirt, bunching the cloth in my hand. I pulled him down on me and said, "Liar. You'd let me sleep."

Even if I couldn't see him, I knew he was smirking in amusement. His lips brushed over my own as he said, "Oh? Is that so?"

There was a knock on the door. "Obito? Mia? It's me, Kakashi..."

We both groaned in annoyance.

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

I squeezed the life out of Naruto, and Sasuke. Sakura was a little behind me. She was staying behind (along with Ino), as she was still a Konoha representative. The only reason the rest of Team 7 was out here was because Naruto was going to leave Konoha anyway to check on me. The PenPal thing was just a bonus. But enough time had passed and it was time for them to carry on with their shinobi career.

Kissing both of their cheeks, I stepped back, my hands still on their shoulders. "I'll be back in Konoha in about a week, so take care, both of you. Hopefully, by the time I return, I'll be able to see again."

"Be safe, Kaa-chan," Naruto told me. "Let Tobi open the doors first."

Sakura giggled. "Or Deidara."

"Be nice, you two," I scolded.

Sasuke cleared his throat. "... Is Itachi still coming to Konoha?"

"Yes. He and Kisame will leave a couple days behind you two," I said. "Don't worry, Sasuke-chan."

Kakashi cleared his throat. "And are you certain that you and Tobi will be okay? Does Tobi need any assistance with the plans? Any? At all?"

"Someone hit Kakashi for me."

There was a smack and Tobi giggled. "There you go, Mia-chan. Now shoo, you three. Mia-chan will be just fine here! Tobi will protect her."

Naruto huffed. "Because you did such a good job last time."

"At least Tobi didn't let her get kidnapped."

"Guys, guys," I said quickly, realizing this was a downward situation. "Let's just relax. Take a deep breath. Love you, Naruto-chan, Sasuke-chan. Kakashi, you're still a cockblocker. I will see you three later."

There was a kiss on my cheek and Naruto said, "Later, Kaa-chan."

Sasuke (I'm assuming) patted my shoulder. "Stay safe."

Kakashi (again, just assuming) ruffled my hair. "See you."

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

Gentle fingers started unwrapping the bandages around my eyes. After a couple of seconds of silence, the bandages were completely off. My brow furrowed and I began to slowly open my eyes.

The room was dimly lit - just a couple of candles, yet, I still winced at the brightness. I blinked, ignoring the stinging sensation that pricked my eyes. My vision blurred and focused as I stared at Obito - maskless - in front of me.

"Damn," I said, lifting a hand and cupping his face. "You know, in my old world, my type of eye injury wouldn't even have been possible to recuperate from. Heh, yet in this world... even with Nature Chakra it took weeks to recover, yet..."

"You'll be very sensitive," Obito warned me. "I would suggest keeping your eyes closed for the majority of the day for a week or so."

"No objections here," I said, using my other hand to wipe at the reflexive tears that had gathered in my eyes from the brightness (well, bright to me). Obito grasped my hand that rested on his cheek, pulling it down and brushing his lips over my knuckles.

He then stood up. "We received the summons for the Kage Summit. Nagato is leaving with Konan and yourself."

"Why am I going again?" I asked incredulously.

"Because you wanted to go," Obito stated bluntly. "And it's not like Sasori wants to go anywhere unless Sakura is going with him, same for Deidara, and Itachi and Kisame are in Konoha and no way in hell is Hidan going. Kakuzu couldn't care less and I'm invading the Kage Summit, so..."

"Ah... that's true..."

"I'll pick you three up afterwards. You leave tomorrow morning, so try and get some rest now, okay?"

"Depends," I said slowly, smirking, "will you be joining me?"

"Well. This is my room and you are on my bed."

"Both are true. And look... Kakashi is nowhere near Amegakure in the first place."

A sly smirk crawled its way on Obito's face. "That is true - "

There was a knock at the door. "Yo. It's Deidara. There's a ninken named Pakkun for you, Tobi - "

"I'm going to kill him," Obito said seriously.

" - I'll go ahead and let him in, un."

Realizing that Obito's mask wasn't in sight, I grabbed my boyfriend and pulled him over me onto the bed and squashed his face against my chest. The door opened and I turned my head, squinting at the figure that entered.

Deidara stared at us, his single eye widening, and he started to blush. "Oh. Sorry, un."

"This is why you ask to enter a room," I said plainly. "Pakkun, what's wrong?"

"Yo, Mia-chan," Pakkun said, nonplussed with the situation. "Kakashi just wanted to inform you guys about Itachi's state. Tsunade-sama's treating him now."

"And Danzo?"

"Executed. Also, thanks to... er... someone's information... ROOT has been mostly uprooted (get it? get it?), too, and several members are going through re-sensitization by the Yamanaka Clan. However, Tsunade-sama is uncertain if everyone from the ROOT has been found."

Deidara was blinking in surprise at Pakkun. "Wait... why are you telling this to Tobi and not Leader-sama, un?"

Pakkun shrugged.

"Because Tobi and Kakashi bonded, you saw how clingy he was to my boyfriend," I said.

Tobi whined. "Don't make it sound like that, Mia-chan. Tobi swears it's not like that!"

Deidara laughed nervously, still looking mildly uncomfortable with the situation. "Aa. I guess so. Sorry again, un. Come on, Pakkun. I'm sure you want to say hi to the girls, too, and you're welcome to stay here for the night, un. Right, Mia-chan?"

"You took the words right out of my mouth," I said.

"I know, un. I make everyone speechless."

When Deidara and Pakkun had left, I released Obito, though he did not move right away. I tapped his head. "I don't mind you using me as your pillow, sweetie, but this position is a bit uncomfortable for me and I still need to change into pajamas. So, how about we get ready for bed and take it from there?"

"... Thank you," Obito said quietly.

"Aa... Make me breakfast tomorrow before I leave? I haven't had your cooking in a while..."

"Sure. Whatever you want."

"Yes!"

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

My eyes were closed and I stood to Nagato's left, behind him and the banners. Even if I could not see anyone directly, I knew their faces and voices well enough to be able to picture the situation. For the most part, everything was canon - the exception being Danzo's group was replaced with Tsunade, and Gai and Kakashi flanking her.

Shizune was not chosen, because Tsunade needed her most trusted aide to continuously care for Itachi in regards to his illness. So she chose Konoha's best (mature) duo team - Kakashi and Gai.

And Kakashi had volunteered for the job.

Surprise, surprise.

There was an extra seat, right in between Gaara and Tsunade, where Nagato sat. There was no elemental nation banner behind him, but instead it was a blank canvas, which seemed to fit the situation well. Nagato was representing all of the smaller nations - something that had never been done before. Yet, the Akatsuki were the smaller nations' pride and joy, their strongest protectors and greatest weapon against the larger nations. It made sense that Nagato, the leader of the Akatsuki (figure leader, at least) would represent them.

Mifune, who originally represented the smaller nations, was strictly a mediator this time.

Aside from Tsunade's eyes widening upon seeing Nagato and Konan for the second time in her life - and immediately recognizing them - (I made sure to keep my eyes open long enough for that) nothing else of note happened when Nagato took his seat.

I did wave at Kakashi and Gai, though, and they both waved back.

"Please remove your Kage hats."

I heard the rustling of cloth as each Kage removed their hat. The lighting changed in the room as the lights turned on. Despite keeping my eyes closed, and staying in relative darkness behind the banner, it was still rather painful.

"In response to Raikage-dono's request, the five Kage and Akatsuki Leader have assembled here. I am Mifune, your moderator," Mifune intoned. "The Summit Conference is called into order.

"I shall speak first. Hear me," Gaara said.

"There's such a difference in Kage these days," Onoki said, a condescending tone in his voice. "To be a Kage at your age is quite an accomplishment, Kazekage-dono. It seems your father trained you extremely well, except in area of proper etiquette."

Gaara's tone did not change from his usual apathy. "You're probably right. It is the reason why I can be here as Kagekaze."

Onoki laughed. "You certainly are cocky."

"Tsuchikage-sama, there's no need to make fun of him," Mei, the Mizukage, said reprovingly. "Kazekage-sama, please continue."

"I am a former jinchuuriki," Gaara said. "I have no memory of losing my bijuu, nor am I certain of how I am still alive. Yet, one day I found that my bijuu was gone. Whoever had done this, is certain to be a powerful enemy, yet when I had requested a conference with all other Kage, I was ignored, except by the Hokage. Over time, you have all started to notice that your own bijuu are missing, and only now with your jinchuuriki missing, Raikage-sama, is this meeting called. Our response to this threat has been far too slow."

"It's an embarrassment to have our bijuu stolen, we are the leading villages, which is why it is common sense to resolve this in utmost secrecy. Seeking the help of other lands just because of that is nonsense!"

"Nonsense?" Nagato murmured coolly. "Kazekage-sama makes a valid point. Your bijuu have long since been stolen, Tsuchikage-sama, yet you made no move to recover them or even attempt to seek aide. You say having your bijuu is an embarrassment, but what really is embarrassing is having an old man, far past his prime, unable to move past his ego and assist others."

I coughed in a vain attempt to cover my laugh, placing my hands over my mouth. Konan placed a hand on my shoulder in a calming gesture and whispered, "Don't laugh, Mia-chan. You'll make it worse."

Onoki did not respond right away, but when he did, I could feel the impalpable absolute irritation in his voice. "You would know all about embarrassment, wouldn't you, Akatsuki Leader? Your organization is comprised of reject shinobi and kunoichi."

"Watch your tone, Tsuchikage-san," Tsunade snapped, her temper flaring. "The Akatsuki have been invaluable to all the villages. Due to their efforts, ties between the smaller nations and the larger ones are undeniably strong. While the majority of their shinobi are missing-nin, they have already proven that doesn't necessarily make it a bad thing. You and I are both old enough to have learned that in this world, there is no such thing as black and white - everything is grey. Nagato-sama and Gaara-sama have points. If we're to work together on this, you need to swallow your ego."

Mei sighed. "Please, Hokage-sama, Tsuchikage-sama, restrain yourselves. This meeting was not called to fight or hold pissing contests between two rival villages. Raikage-sama called this meeting to discuss the issue in regards to our missing bijuu. In response to your point in our slow action, Kazekage-sama, having our bijuus stolen is no cause for immediate fear. Controlling a bijuu requires skill, knowledge and time."

"The jinchuuriki and the bijuu must mature together," Onoki said, "and adapt to one another. And still, controlling the bijuu is a difficult task. It isn't easily done, right, Kazekage-dono?"

I began to slowly creak my eyes open, squinting and wincing at the brightness. I could barely make out Tsunade rest her chin on her hands as she leaned forward on the table. "In most cases, that's true. The only ones who were capable of controlling a bijuu were Uchiha Madara, Hashirama-jiji, Yondaime Mizukage Yagura, and Raikage-sama's young brother, Killer Bee. But - "

A growled and stood up, raising his hand and slamming it down on his desk, completely shattering it. "Enough of this bullshit!"

In the same instance he had stood up, all guards had jumped out in front of their Leader (the exception being me). I placed hand on Nagato's shoulder and whispered, "I'm here for moral support."

Nagato glanced back at me, his eyes lighting up in amusement. "Good. I was sorely lacking in that department. Konan, stand down."

Konan relaxed her stance, hopping back behind Nagato and recalling her paper shuriken.

"I'm here for moral support, too, Gaara-chan, Tsunade-sama," I said. Tsunade laughed and Gai gave me a thumbs-up. At Tsunade's laugh, Gai and Kakashi relaxed and took their positions behind her again. Gaara dipped his head and murmured a quiet response to his siblings, causing them to stand down.

"Chojuro, Ao, relax," Mei murmured, nonplussed. Chojuro glanced shyly back at his Mizukage before relaxing and moving to stand behind her again. Ao looked annoyed, but did not question his leader and moved back into position.

Unable to keep my eyes open any longer in the light, I closed them and stepped back into the darkness. I heard Ay and Onoki have their shinobi stand down, as well, and I heard the rustle of cloth and the ting of weapons as they were sheathed and their owners stepped back.

"This is a place of discussion, please refrain from unnecessary violence," Mifune sighed.

"As I was saying," Tsunade said, and I could practically see the thin smile on her face, "there were very few shinobi who could control their bijuu. Among those, however, were two who could immediately control them. My grandfather, Senju Hashirama and his rival, Uchiha Madara. The reason action is now taking place to this emergency is because I am assuming that Raikage-sama has the same information on the matter that we do. Bear in mind, my fellow Kage, Konoha has only recently acquired this information."

A gave a grunt. "You would be correct, Hokage-sama. A few of my men witnessed the battle between Bee and his kidnapper. His kidnapper was undoubtedly using the Sharingan. We originally wanted to demand Sasuke from Konoha, but it was confirmed that the Uchiha boy was nowhere near Kumogakure at the time. And then... we found an interesting lead. The kidnapper of my brother, of all the bijuu, it would seem to be... Uchiha Madara."

Silence filled the room, and a thick tension seemed to have entered it.

"Impossible," Mei breathed.

"I would agree, but knowing Madara... that man is a monster," Onoki growled.

"Konoha has also received information to support this," Tsunade said.

Nagato cleared his throat. "As have the Akatsuki."

Somber silence fell between everyone again.

"Madara is a serious threat, one that we cannot ignore," Nagato said. "We - "

"My oh my."

My eyes shot open (I immediately regretted that, as they started stinging like crazy), and I looked up to find Obito - cloaked entirely in black with a white mask with the pattern of a fire in the bottom corner that curled up around his left eye.

"Who are you?" Tsunade demanded. "How did you get in?"

Obito cocked his head, not responding right away. Arms grabbed me from behind and I threw my arms in front of me as Kakashi pulled me back and jumped up. Light exploded from beneath everyone as Kakashi kicked down the wall and hurled both of us out of the room.

The room exploded.

"I'm starting to hate explosions," I muttered, my ears ringing and my eyes closed again.

"Are you okay?" Kakashi demanded.

I snorted. "I'm fine. You actually grabbed me prematurely. Hopefully no one noticed. How is everyone else?"

"We're fine," Konan murmured quietly, appearing next to me. "Tobi was right in assuming that everyone would be able to react in time."

Creaking my eyes open again, I noticed that the entire room was gone, only an empty space that reached down several floors above and below us. At least it was a nicely controlled explosion.

I looked around, only see Tsunade, Gai, Nagato and Ay. The smoke was too thick to make out the others, but I could still feel their presence.

"That didn't kill you?" Obito inquired, his voice echoing around everyone. "Shame. But, it's not like I actually expected it to. I just wanted a proper entrance. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Uchiha Madara, and I have come to talk."

"Talk?!" Ay snarled. "You nearly blew us up!"

"And if I had, you couldn't really call yourselves Kage, could you?" Obito reasoned. "You weren't in any real danger. Like I said, I just wanted a proper entrance. Now, I suggest you listen to me or things will get a bit unsavory for each of you. Keep in mind, Ay, that that you still don't have your precious brother. Besides, don't you want to listen? Aren't you... curious?"

No one responded right away.

"I shall take that as a yes," Obito said, and I heard him clap his hands together - I still couldn't see him. A harsh wind whipped around us, and the flames and smoke cleared. Obito stood a floor above us, looking down. He then sat down, his legs dangling over the edge, uncaring. Through the holes of his mask, I could see his Sharingans coming to life as he looked down on all of us.

Onoki floated above the Kages a bit, his eyes narrowing. "What are you talking about? Why didn't you kill us? Surely a man of your skill..."

"The injuries I sustained from my battle with Hashirama were too severe. I have no strength in me now. You could say I am merely a shell of my old self."

"Are you planning to restore yourself?" Temari asked.

Obito hummed. "You could say that. But that's not all. Project Tsuki No Me are my plans for the bijuu." He held up one, slim, finger. He paused. "All shall become one with me and result in a complete possession form that unites all."

"Become one? Unite all? What do you mean?" Ōnoki asked.

I just knew Obito was smirking behind his mask. "The Uchiha have an ancient stone tablet that has been passed down through generations. It exists underground in Konoha. Upon it are written secrets, engraved by the Sage of Six Paths himself. It cannot be read unless you possess ocular powers. With the Sharingan, Mangekyo Sharingan and Rinnegan, in that order, the contests become increasingly visible."

"You're story is unlikely. The Sage of Six Paths doesn't—"

"It's is the truth," Obito interrupted Ōnoki . "He did exist and he left the stone tablet."

"Don't change the subject," Ay growled. "What does your plan have to do with the Sage of Six Paths?!"

"Do you know why he became a legendary figure and a godlike figure that is revered as a god of shinobi? There lies the link between my plan and this man. He once saved the world from a certain monster," Obito said. "Gaara, you also had one part of that monster sealed inside of you. That monster was the combination of every bijū in existence. Something that possessed the most powerful chakra. The Jūbi."

"Aren't there only nine bijū?" Temari asked.

"I just told you," Obito replied. "It was the combination of all the bijū. Ichibi, Nibi, Sanbi, Yonbi, Gobi, Rokubi, Nanbi, Hachibi, Kyūbi. The Jubi's chakra was simply divided up into nine bijū by the Sage of Six Paths."

"I don't like where this story is headed," Kankuro muttered. "Is that why the Akatsuki are gathering bijū?"

"The Sage of Six Paths developed a certain ninjustu in order to protect the world from the Jubi. Even today, that ninjustu is still being secretly passed down. It is the Sealing Jutsu process for jinchūriki. Yes, the Sage of Six Paths was the Jubi's jinchūriki. In order to suppress it, he sealed the Jubi within his body. The Sage, who saved a world terrorized by the Jubi became a savior and won praise as a god. But, if the Sage died, the powerful and demonic chakra of the Jubi would once again be released unto the world. Fearing this, at the time of his death, the Sage of Six Paths summoned every last ounce of his power to partition the Jubi's chakra into nine parts and scattered them across the world."

Obito shrugged. "Then, he sealed the Jubi's body, now devoid of chakra, and hurled it into the sky. And it became the moon."

"What a tall tale. As if a human could do such a thing."

"When he became jinchūriki of the Jubi, the Sage of Six Paths went beyond the realm of humans."

"I understand now that you seek that inhuman power," Mifune said. "by gathering the chakra of the nine, namely all, of the bijū. But what will you do with all that power?"

"Revive the Jubi," Obito responded. "And I will become the Jubi's jinchūriki. I will use its power to strengthen my ocular powers and activate a certain jutsu."

"What jutsu?" Tsunade asked, her eyes narrowed.

"A super genjutsu where I project my eyes off the moon," Obito answered. "Infinite Tsukuyomi. I will cast a genjutsu on every human that walks the earth. And in that genjutsu, I will control all humans and unify the world. A world without hatred or war. Everything will become one with me, everything will be united. That is the Project Tsuki No Me."

"Stop joking around! I'm not handing the world over to you!" A snarled.

"Peace that exists only as an illusion is deception," Gaara said. "Peace is only meaningful when it is genuinely achieved in the real world."

Nagato coughed at that and Konan and him exchanged sheepish looks.

"Like hell I'd let this pass," Tsunade said firmly.

"What would exist in such a world? There is no hope, no dreams! It's just an escape," Mei said.

"Unite the world, huh? But instead of sounding like you truly want such a thing, it only sounds like you want to make the world yours," Ōnoki said.

Obito chuckled, nonplussed. "All this talk and yet what have you accomplished? You of all people should know by now... there is no such thing as hope! To hope is the equivalent to giving up and it's the biggest deception of all. Turn over the remaining Hachibi and Kyūbi and cooperate with my plan. Or there will be war."

"War you say?" Gaara asked.

A paused for a moment, as the implication that the Hachi was not in Obito's hands finally sunk in. Pure fury lit in his eyes. "That idiot! He used that chance to slip away and now he's actually having the time of his life! Unforgivable! He's going to my Iron Claw!"

"We will not hand over Uzumaki Naruto," Gaara said.

"As if I would allow you to touch my student," Nagato murmured.

"I agree with him," Mei said.

"It goes without saying what I agree with," Tsunade said.

"There's no way I'll let him have my younger brother," A growled.

"I don't have the strength, but the bijū I've gathered so far do. You people have no chance of winning."

"We haven't given up hope," Gaara said.

"Very well. I hereby declare the start of the Fourth Great Shinobi War," Obito said.

"Fourth Great Shinobi War?" Ōnoki asked incredulously. "Are you mad?"

Obito scoffed. "Would you still underestimate me, brat? Did you learn nothing since our last encounter?"

Onoki glared in silence at Obito.

"... Well then. The next time we meet will be on the battlefield, for most of you anyway," Obito purred, standing up. At the end of his sentence, he dematerialized and was soon out of sight.

When he was gone, Ōnoki dipped his head. "What do we do now?"

"We have to form an Allied Shinobi Force," Gaara said. "It's the only way we can counter the power of seven bijū."

"Let's form this alliance and settle this once and for all," Ay said.

"We cannot allow our last two remaining biju to fall into his hands," Mei said. "I think it is imperative that our Allied Shinobi Forces find the two first and place them into hiding."

"However we cannot even imagine the power Madara wields with the seven he already has," Ōnoki said. "Furthermore, he may possess a certain jutsu or a trump card for using the bijū. Otherwise he wouldn't have come on so strong. Perhaps it would be wise for the Allied Shinobi Forces to plan on using the Hachibi and Kyūbi as military weapons too."

"Absolutely not," Tsunade said, just as Gaara said, "That cannot happen."

They exchanged a glance and Tsunade dipped her head for Gaara to continue. "This is also a war to protect those two. There is a reason why Madara is waging war with just seven bijū he has collected thus far. It is too difficult for Madara in his weakened state and Akatsuki members to capture the Hachibi and Kyūbi. Even if they had succeeded, he felt the risk was too great. That is why he may be hoping to lure the two to his side through the war. In any case, using the Hachibi and Kyūbi for battle is not a wise strategy."

"I agree," Tsunade said.

"As do I," Mei said.

"I also concur with the Kazekage," A said. "If we consider the worst-case scenario, it will be like offering the Hachibi or the Kyūbi on silver platters. And besides, the Hachibi is my younger brother and 'military strength' is a foreign concept to him. I can't predict what he'd do. He may just create more chaos on the battlefield!"

Tsunade snorted.

"Naruto would do the same," Gaara said.

"An understatement," Nagato intoned.

"That's for sure," Kankuro said.

"I'll say," Temari chuckled.

I huffed. "My son isn't that bad. He's just... eager."

Konan patted my shoulder. "Mia-chan, we need to talk about your denial... It's just too much now."

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

Yawning widely, I reached out a hand and placed it on Konan's shoulder. I then closed my eyes, as she guided me through the hallways and the three of us began our departure.

"Tobi shall be here to pick you up," Konan murmured gently. "I believe we agreed to meet him a little ways outside so there's little chance a chakra sensor would recognize him."

"Mm-hmm."

Nagato sped up the pace. "Let us be done with this. I will return to Amegakure soon. We have much to prepare for." He gave a small, wispy chuckle. "I never thought I would be anxious for war."

Konan laughed lightly. "You are not anxious for war, Nagato. You are anxious to fight alongside Naruto-chan. I know. I am the same for Hinata-chan."

"While I sit on the sidelines and try not to have a heart attack," I sighed. "Everyone I love is going to be fighting. Ugh."

Konan placed a cold hand over my own on her shoulder. "Do not fret, Mia-chan. We will not allow any one of our precious people to die."

"Easy for you to say. You can actually do something."

"You have done enough. Now allow us to do something."

I pouted.

"Mia-chan~"

Obito, in his childish persona of Tobi, glomped me from behind. I laughed and retracted my hand from Konan's. Obito leaned heavily down on me, forcing me to bend my knees. "You're squishing me."

He pulled away and placed a hand on each of my shoulders, dropping his persona. "I take it everything is going well?"

"They've accepted your invitation to war," Nagato said smoothly. "Are you certain you have enough Edo-Tensei candidates?"

Kabuto already had thrice as many prepared than he originally did - each of them a powerhouse in some regards. Obito's been able to collect even more so quite easily, thanks to Sasori's knowledge of their whereabouts coupled with his ability.

"I have more than enough," Obito assured him. "Well, I shall go ahead and transport all of us back to Amegakure. The war will begin in a week, I imagine."

"I'm going to be hospitalized with heart attacks within minutes," I pouted.

Obito squeezed my hand. "Don't worry, Mia-chan. Everything will be okay."

"No, it won't. I can't even go out to the battlefield. I have to stay with the damn Feudal Lords!"

Obito squeezed my hand again. "I know, I know... But, you are still a high-ranking member of the Akatsuki. You are the equivalent to a Feudal Lord for the Akatsuki, just as Nagato is the equivalent to a Kage."

"Wouldn't you be the Kage?" I asked incredulously.

"Not anymore," Obito said firmly. "That paperwork is all Nagato's."

"Thanks," Nagato said dryly.

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

Two days after the Summit, Kakashi had arrived in Amegakure to "escort" everyone to the village.

I screamed in silence - my mouth working, but not a single sound escaped me. I continued to stare in dumbfoundment at Kakashi for several minute before I was finally able to speak. "What... WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN I CAN'T SEE MY SON UNTIL AFTER THE WAR?!"

Kakashi winced at my shrill voice. Obito placed both his hands on my shoulder in an attempt to calm me down, but I barely noticed him. Kakashi said, gently, "The Kage thought it would be best if the jinchuuriki remained hidden, and stay with only shinobi that can defend them. You're, er, well... you can't do that."

My mouth worked, and I attempted to find some kind of response to that, but nothing came to me.

"And you can't take her there," Kakashi said firmly, looking at Obito. "They have too many chakra sensors there, they'll be able to sense you and if Mia's with you... It'll look bad."

I was hyperventilating at this point.

Obito moved away from me, heading to the nightstand and pulling out a syringe. "Mia-chan, I think it's time for a sedative."

"I DON'T WANT A GODDAMN SEDATIVE, I WANT MY S - "

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

When I awoke, as in my bed in Konoha. I snapped up, my eyes widening and I scrambled from the bed, throwing on a robe and dashing into the living room. There, sitting on the couch, was Sasuke.

We stared at each other.

I rushed over to him, tackling him into a hug and squeezing the life out of him. "... You are forbidden from leaving me, too. How's Naruto? Is he okay?"

Sasuke patted my back. "I'll actually be joining him shortly. But, Tobi wanted to make sure we at least got to say goodbye for now. Don't worry so much, Mia. He'll be fine."

I sighed, releasing my hold on my second son and sitting down on the floor. "I just... I just..."

Sasuke patted my head. "I know."

Anko entered the room, leering at us. "Don't worry, Mia. I'll be escorting this guy to Naruto. Have a little faith."

I sighed again.

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

The week before the war was the longest week of my life, easily. Thankfully, I was able to stay in relative constant contact with the rest of my babies. Hinata would be fighting alongside Konan in the war, just as Sakura would be working with Sasori, and Ino would be with Deidara, Shikamaru and Chouji. When it was time for me to leave and stay with the Lords, it was with a heavy and anxious heart.

It did not help that I didn't know a single one there.

What did help, however, was that my dear friends were kind enough to make sure that the hideout had 1.) a very large and nice kitchen and 2.) lots of food.

I mixed the batter furiously, pacing around the kitchen.

The kitchen was an utter mess now, with not a single free space. The war, I knew, would be over sometime tomorrow, and I knew that if I just kept myself distracted, time would go by more quickly. One of my better bad habits was nervous or angry baking. So that's how I found myself in the kitchen, creating yet another batch of lava cakes.

Another explosion rocked the outside and I whimpered. Mei and quite a few other shinobi were fighting to "protect" us. Not that we were in any real danger. Obito was just playing the role of a warlord.

"This is horrible," I moaned. "Obito can't even visit me because of those damn chakra sensors and everyone I know and love is fighting."

I stared at the batter of the angel cake I was making and sighed.

Looking over at the clock, I realized that it was already quite late and most of the Lords would be going to bed.

Heh. Like hell I would be able to sleep tonight.

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

There was a knock at the doorframe and I whirled around to find Kakashi, tired and a little battered, leaning on it. "Oi, Mia. Come with me."

I dropped the bowl of cookie dough and sprinted towards him. Tackling into him and hugging him. "Is everyone okay? No one died, right? Right?!"

"No one that you know, at least," Kakashi said patiently. "Come on now."

Kakashi picked me and left the hideout quickly. We were sprinting through the trees as Kakashi began to speak, "Out of all of us, I had the most energy left over, so that's why I'm coming to pick you up. Stop panicking, Mia."

"I won't stop until I see them with my own eyes."

We landed in a clearing, roughly half and hour later.

The clearing was, unsurprisingly, decimated.

I didn't care about that.

What I cared about, was the blonde boy who was laying down on his back, panting, with Sasuke right beside him. I sprinted towards them. "Naruto-chan! Sasuke-chan!"

Naruto sat up slowly, his eyes widening and he opened his mouth to speak - just as I slammed into him and started squeezing the hell out of him. "Sasuke, get into my other arm, right now."

Sasuke, too tired to complain, just joined in on the hug fest.

"Awww," Sakura cooed. "Aren't they cute, Sasori-sensei?"

Sasori huffed. "I'm a little annoyed that Mia didn't trust us enough to handle the situation."

I just shook my head, pulling back from my sons and looking around. Killer Bee was passed out, snoring soundly, a little ways from us. I didn't see the Zombie Duo (I vaguely remembered they were supposed to be in control of another battlefield), nor did I see Ino, Deidara and Gai. It was only Kakashi, Sakura, Sasori, Naruto, Sasuke, Killer Bee, and... Obito.

Who was not squatting beside us, his mask long gone. He looked tired, and there was a giant hole in his chest. I stared at it.

Obito waved off my staring. "Mia-chan, you know I'm fine. Everything went according to your's and Itachi's plan. Nagato and Konan are currently fetching Itachi now to get him back to Konoha before he's noticed missing." Obito yawned. "I need to change back into my Akatsuki robes."

"I have your spare set of clothings in my bag," Kakashi said, also giving a yawn. "Ah. The adrenaline is fading. I think I'm going to join Bee fairly soon."

Naruto yawned, too. "I know what you mean. Damn Tobi. I mean Obito. You're really strong."

Obito didn't reply, just heading to Kakashi's bag (which was off on the side).

"At least this damn war is over," Sasori sighed. "Now we can go back to our lives."

Sakura nodded her head earnestly. "Aa. And I can properly join the Akatsuki!"

"And when did you decide on that?" Sasori asked incredulously.

"Just now," Sakura said, grinning widely. "Deidara has obviously chosen Ino as his Akatsuki partner (because she's joining the Akatsuki, too), so you'll need a partner now. Who better than myself, Sasori-sensei?"

Sasori shrugged. "I'm not complaining. If it's alright with Leader-sama, I see no reason why not."

Sakura beamed.

Sasuke yawned loudly. "... I refuse to fall asleep before Naruto. Naruto, hurry up and pass out."

Naruto just grinned cheekily. "As if. You pass out first."

Sasuke sniffed. "No."

"Both of you better fall asleep now," I scolded. "Because you both need it. Now."

Deciding they were too tired to risk my anger, they both just laid back down on the ground and closed their eyes. I smiled and nodded my head at that, pleased with it. Kakashi sat down next to me, and then Obito joined us, still not wearing his mask.

"I say we all go to sleep now," Obito said. "And let reinforcements carry us away."

"Sounds good to me," I said as Obito laid down and I rested my head on his chest.

"Sorry if I get any dough on you."

"I don't even want to know how you got that in your hair," Obito said. "We'll deal with it when we wake up."

"Excellent plan," Kakashi said tiredly.

Sakura huffed. "That's mean guys. Sasori-sensei can't fall asleep, you know!"

"No," Sasori agreed, "but I can go into a meditative state. Care to join me, Sakura-chan?"

"I would love to."

And that was how we concluded the war.

Tired. Dirty. But... relieved.

It was over.