“From now until the end of the World,

We and it shall be remembered.

We few, we band of Brothers.
For he who sheds his blood with me

Shall be my brother.

-          King Henry V, Shakespeare

Kankuro held his sister in a tight embrace. “I don’t know whether to hit you or congratulate you,” he said. He let go of her and sighed. “How are you Taryn?”
She smiled at him weakly. “I’ll be fine.”

“So, I’m gonna be an uncle huh.”
“In a few months,” Taryn nodded.
A slow smile crept on Kankuro’s face and he kissed her cheek. “You make sure to stay out of danger, understand? Make sure nothing’s gonna happen to that little brat.”
Taryn sighed. Both of them knew that was going to be an impossible task with the upcoming battle.
“Where’s Temari?” she asked.
“Out there, registering all the shinobi that came in from Suna.”
Taryn nodded. “I need to talk to my Genin,” she said.

The three boys gulped nervously.
“Don’t be too hard on them,” Kankuro whispered before leaving.

Taryn turned to her students and gave them a tired look. “What am I to do with you three?” she sighed.
“We want to fight,” Daro said, “we want to stay here and help.”

“This is no regular mission,” Taryn told them, “war is an ugly business and no place for Genin.”
“We are shinobi of Suna,” Daro said, “this concerns us too. We have every right to defend our homes and families. We want to fight.”
“Well you’ll have your chance,” Taryn told them, “as much as I would like to send you home to your families, who are very concerned by the way, we can not spare the shinobi right now to escort you. You’re going to have to stay here. And trust me, you’ll wish you had stayed home soon enough.”
The boys looked at each other guiltily. “We’re sorry, sensei,” Kuro muttered, “we didn’t mean to worry our parents, we just wanted…”
“I know,” Taryn said, “I know you meant well. But you shouldn’t have done it either way. As a shinobi, sometimes you get orders you don’t understand. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t follow them. I could have been on a secret mission. By coming after me, you could have jeopardized it. If I tell you not to follow me, I do that to protect you. Not because I think you’re not up to the task.”

“But you left a note,” Hiro said, “so you weren’t on a mission.”

“You still should have listened to the Kazekage,” Taryn told them, “he told you to stay in the village, but you disobeyed.” The boys stared at the floor. “I want you to promise me something,” Taryn continued, “if you want to stay here and fight in this war, then you will listen to your superiors and accept whatever task you are given whether you like it or not. Without any protests. Is that clear? It’s not just your own life that’s on the line. And there is a good chance that you won’t be in the same division. You’ll have to work with whomever you are assigned to.”
They looked a little uncertain as if only now they realized they might not see each other again for a long time.

“Now,” Taryn said, “Are you still willing to fight?”
“Hai, sensei,” the three of them nodded.
“Okay,” Taryn said, “then go report for duty.”

“Sensei,” Kuro asked softly, “I saw my sister earlier. May I go see her? I want to know if my family is alright.”
Taryn nodded. “Yes of course. Hurry already.”
She watched them leave and sighed. They were still so young. After this war that would be different. Everything would be different.

***

Taryn was polishing her fan when Kakashi entered. “Hey,” he said. Taryn looked up and nodded at him. “How are you holding up?” he asked, “are you okay?”
“I can take care of myself, Kakashi,” she said, “you don’t have to watch me 24/7.”
Kakashi nodded at her and turned to leave.

Taryn sighed. “I’m sorry,” she said, “I didn’t mean it like that.”
“I just worry about you Taryn.”

“I know.”
“I’m leading a division of my own,” Kakashi told her, “I’ll be heading towards the North border tomorrow.”
“Your own division,” Taryn said, “that is quite a responsibility.”
“Yeah,” Kakashi sighed, “I just hope there won’t be any trouble. The troops will be quite large.”
“You should go prepare then,” Taryn told him.

Kakashi hesitated for a moment, but then turned to leave.
“Hey” Taryn called him back. He looked at her. Taryn had her back towards him and refused to look up. She suddenly seemed very busy cleaning her weapons. “Don’t die,” she said.
Kakashi gave her a sad smile. “You too.”
Now she did look up and answered his smile. He nodded at her and left her by herself.

“Kimi!” Kuro shouted while working his way through the crowd.
His sister turned upon haring her name and was almost knocked over by her little brother. “Kuro!” she gasped and hugged him close. When she let go of him she hit him over the head. “What the hell were you thinking?! Do you know how worried everyone is?! How could you do that to mom?! Didn’t she suffer enough when Shuzaku died?!”

“I‘m sorry,” Kuro muttered, “we didn’t mean to… we just… we had to go.”
Kimi sighed. “Where are the other two?” Hiro and Daro hesitantly edged closer and eyed Kimi nervously. “Thank God you are alright,” Kimi said relived.

“A-are my parents okay?” Daro asked softly.

“What abut my family?” Hiro asked, “is Yuna here too?”
Kimi shook her head. “No. She was ordered to stay and protect the village. So are mom and dad.” She said the last part while looking at Kuro. Kuro nodded. “They are all fine,” Kimi assured them, “but never do this again.”

“Sensei already yelled at us,” Kuro muttered, “and the Kazekage too.”
“Good!” Kimi said, “you deserve it!”

The boys were silent and stared at the ground. Kimi sighed.” I have to go. I have to report to Temari and get myself registered.”
“We’ll go with you,” Kuro said, “we need to sign up too.”
“You? Taryn-sama is letting you fight?!”
“She’s not happy with it,” Hiro answered, “but there is no other option. We’re at war.”
“Besides,” Daro said, “we want to fight. This is what we are being trained for.”
“But you’re Genin.”
“Without this war we would be at the Chuunin Exams soon. We have to do this.”

The others nodded in agreement.

“Sensei thinks we can do this,” Kuro told his sister, “and she is the one that trained us.”
“Well then,” Kimi said with a sad smile, “Who am I to argue with that? Let’s go then.”

***

Madara stared at Kabuto amused. “You’re sure this is going to work? Why offer your services to me anyway? Orochimaru left Akatsuki. I would think you would never return to us.”

“In this war one needs to pick a side,” Kabuto said, “and there are quite a few people that I’d like to see gone. We have a common goal I think.”

“Do we now?” Madara said, “what makes you think I need you? What do you have to offer?”

Kabuto chuckled. “You may be strong Madara, but you lack numbers. The other nations have formed an alliance. They’ll run you into the ground.”
“I have the powers of the tailed beasts,” Madara said.

“But they still have the Eight and Nine tails,” Kabuto pointed out, “and what do you have? The remnants of Akatsuki? Let’s face it Madara, you need me.”
“For what? A few walking corpses?”

“This is no ordinary resurrection jutsu,” Kabuto said, “I can control as many bodies as I liked with it and even if I die, the jutsu stays intact. And the best part is that they will keep their own mind, so they are fully aware of what they are doing, just unable to do anything about it.”
“You’re a sadistic bastard, Kabuto,” Madara commented.
“Then you should be glad I’m on your side.”
“Are you? I wonder…”

“Let me show you then. I’ve brought you a present. I think it is something you’ll like.” Kabuto unrolled several sealed scrolls and made a few hand signs. Bodies came from the scrolls. Bodies of men he knew all too well. Madara smirked as he eyed his former subordinates. Nagato, Deidara, Itachi… they were all there.
“And that’s not all,” Kabuto said and unrolled more scrolls.
“The Seven Swordsmen of Mist,” Madara said, “how did you get your hands on those?”
Kabuto chuckled. “All I needed was some DNA. And Orochimaru-sama has gathered quite a variety through the years…. So, do we have an agreement?”

Madara smiled amused. “I think we can work something out.”

***

A lot of shinobi had gathered in the camp already and more were coming every hour. It was a strange sight to have so many shinobi from different nations together like this. There had been small alliances between villages before, but never on this scale. So it didn’t take long before the first argument began.

“Can we really win with such a young commander?” a ninja form Stone asked while looking at the stage where Gaara was consulting with two Jounin.

A ninja from Suna turned to him. “Gaara-sama is not like the babies in your village. Don’t run your mouth about people you know nothing about!”
“How would I know?!” the Stone ninja retorted, “we’ve been enemies the whole time!”
“Same here!” the Sand ninja answered, “don’t think for a second I actually trust you people!”

Hinata stood close by an eyed the argument with concern. “No one seems to trust one another yet,” she sighed.
“I’m not surprised,” Neji commented, “it’s hard to maintain a cohesive unit when its members were enemies for years up until yesterday. Especially Sand and Stone.”

Taryn stood somewhere beside the sage and was watching the crowd as well. “This is going great,” she muttered sarcastically.
Somewhere in the crowd the two shinobi had started a fight.
Next to Taryn, Kakashi sighed deeply.

The Sand and Stone ninja made ready to attack each other when a sand cloud suddenly drove them apart.
Everyone gasped and turned to the stage were Gaara was standing. He eyed them for a while before speaking.
“Three times now, we’ve fought World Wars for our own nation, our own villages. We’ve hurt one another, we’ve hated one another. That hatred bred a lust for power. And that lust for power created me.”
It was dead silent. Everyone’s attention was with Gaara now.
“I was a Jinchuuriki,” Gaara continued, “the embodiment of hatred and power. And I hated this world and all the people in it. I wanted to destroy it with my own  hands, the exact same thing Akatsuki is trying to do today. But one man, one ninja from Konoha, stopped me. I was his enemy, yet he wept for me. I hurt him and he called me his friend. He saved me, my enemy, my fellow Jinchuuriki. He suffered the same pain as me, yet bore no ill will. There are no enemies here! Because we’ve all suffered at Akatsuki’s hand! So there is no Sand! No Stone! No Leaf! No Mist and no Cloud! There are only shinobi! And if you still hold a grudge against Suna, then when this war is over, come and take my head instead! Our enemies are after the friend who saved my life! If they take him, our world is finished. I want to protect him and protect our world. But I’m too young to protect it all on my own! All of you! Lend me your aid!”
Cheers arose fro the crowd. “Gaara-sama!”
The Stone ninja from earlier turned to the Sand shinobi he’d been arguing with. “Sorry about before.”

“Yeah,” the Sand ninja nodded, “same here.”

Gaara turned to the crowd again. “Everyone who’s with me,” he said, “let’s get them!”
Taryn let her breath escape and sighed in relieve. Kakashi gave her a short one-armed hug. “He’s doing a good job,” he told her, “he’ll lead his division just fine. You’ll see.”
“Yeah,” Taryn agreed, “he’ll do great.”

***

Gaara was pacing his tent when she came in. He looked at her impatiently. “I don’t have much time Taryn. I need to prepare for departure and so do you. And I still have to meet with the council.”
“I heard the reports from the scouts,” Taryn said, “if Kabuto is using that resurrection jutsu, there’s no telling who he’ll bring back.”

“Don’t you think I know that?” Gaara answered.

Taryn paused for a moment. “I’d like to go on a private mission,” she said.

Gaara scoffed. “Of course you do. That’s what you always want. What’s new is that you’re actually asking my permission.” He turned to her. “What is it this time? Or is it something else you won’t talk about?”
“I want to return to the tower,” Taryn said, “two of Sasuke’s subordinated should still be there somewhere.”

“And you think they’ll join our side? Did you have a blow to the head?”
“They may not be willing to join our camp,” Taryn said, “but I might persuade them to try and stop Sasuke.” ”What makes you think that?” Gaara asked, “this Suigetsu… he is related to Hozuki Mangetsu, one of the Seven Swordsmen of Mist. Those seven are fighting on Akatsuki’s side. What makes you think he will be any different?”
“The Seven are bound to Kabuto’s jutsu. They wouldn’t get involved in this war of their own accord. They aren’t the kind to take orders. Let me try to persuade Suigetsu and Juugo. If it doesn’t work I’ll come straight back. If it does, then we have two less enemies to worry about.”
Gaara rubbed his temple. “You’re pregnant Taryn.”
“I am aware of that.”
“I can’t let you go by yourself,” he told her, “it’s too much of a risk. If it was just your life, I’d let you go. But there’s a life inside of you and I won’t let you jeopardize it.”
“Gaara…”

“I know you don’t want to lose this child.”

“Of course I don’t, but I know them. They aren’t going to listen to anyone else. I might have a chance. They’ll at least hear me out.”
“I didn’t say you couldn’t go,” Gaara said, “just that I wouldn’t let you go alone. I’m sending a medic with you.”
“You know just as well as I that you can’t spare any medics from this war. You’ll need them all on the field.”
Her brother sighed. She was right. That didn’t mean he liked it. And he wasn’t going to give in that easily. “I want you protected,” he said, “you can’t afford to be reckless now. I’m sending a team with you as an escort.”
“The more people come with me, the sooner we’ll get noticed. I’ll be fine.”
“It’s not open for discussion Taryn. If you want to do this, I’m sending a team with you.”
“Fine,” Taryn growled, “one person.”
“Three.”
“Two.”

Gaara nodded. “Agreed,” he said, “I’ll select them myself. They’ll report to you in the morning.” He gave her a warning look. “And don’t try to escape on your own or I’ll come after you myself and I’ll drag you back.”
“I won’t,” she promised him.

Gaara nodded. “Alright. Take some rest them. Make sure you’re fit to travel. Have a medic give you a check up just to be sure.” Taryn nodded and walked towards the tent opening. “Taryn,” he said. She looked at him. “I never… thanked you,” he said, “for when we were younger.”
Taryn walked up to him and hugged him. “Be careful,” she said, “I’ll come back as soon as possible.”

***

Hiroshi Tomoda knew perfectly well that eavesdropping was not polite, but he was also taught that a good shinobi got information wherever possible. And in this case he didn’t feel particularly guilty. It was his sensei that had taught him so after all. And she was leaving on her own again. As usual. He was happy to hear that the Kazekage wouldn’t let her. She shouldn’t be fighting at all in her condition. Of course he knew that was wishful thinking. The needed everyone to win this war and Taryn had never been one to watch from the sideline and let others do the work. This would be no different. But this time he wouldn’t just let her get away with it.
Hiro took a deep breath and stepped into the Kazekage’s tent unannounced. Only Gaara-sama was there with Kankuro. “Kazekage-sama,” he said and kneeled respectfully.

Gaara turned and eyed him confused. “Tomoda, what do you want? Weren’t you assigned a job?”
“Yes sir,” Hiro answered, “but I wanted to ask for a reassignment.”

“No,” Gaara said curtly.
“But my lord…”
“One of he conditions of you and your friends staying here was that you would accept whichever task was given to you, isn’t that correct?”
“Yes sir.”
“And what task was given to you?”
“Ktsn dwt,” Hiro muttered.

“What?” Gaara asked.
“Kitchen duty sir,” Hiro repeated, “but I’d rather fight.”
Kankuro eyed the boy amused. He wondered how his brother was going to solve this.
Gaara sighed. “I know kitchen duty may sound like a boring and unimportant job,” he said, “but it might be the most important job of all. Shinobi need energy to fight and energy comes from food.”
“It’s not that sir,” Hiro said, “I know every job is important, but I… I’d like to be part of sensei’s squad sir.”
“Of course you do. No.”
“But…”

“No Hiro. You knew from the start that you could get sorted into different squads as the rest of your team. You can’t depend on them forever. And this is not the time.”
“I know she’s going on a separate mission,” Hiro said.
Gaara narrowed his eyes. “You mean you were eavesdropping.”
Hiro turned red and cleared his throat. “Please sir,” he hurried to say, “I’ve fought alongside her for so long, I know her every move.”

“And If I grant you permission, your teammates will come and demand the same thing.”

“Please Kazekage-sama. I made a promise to watch out for her.”
Gaara sighed again. “Promises,” he muttered, “promises ruin lives.”
“But they can save lives too,” Hiro said softly.
Gaara slowly turned his head towards the boy and watched him for a moment. He wasn’t a boy anymore. Should he really make this such a problem? He was Taryn’s student. He knew her and would protect her. What better comrade could he assign to his sister? It would sure ease his mind to have someone with her he could trust. “Alright,” he gave in, “I’ll assign you to Taryn. But you’ll protect her with your life. And I want her back in one piece, And I don’t want to hear any protests. Is that clear?”
Hiro looked up and smiled brightly. “thank you Kazekage-sama.”
“Don’t thank me,” Gaara said, “I’m not dong this as a favor to you. I’m doing this to protect my sister.”

“Yes sir,” Hiro nodded seriously.

“Good,” Gaara said, “go report.”

“Hai,” Hiro said and hurried out of the tent.
Gaara gave a tired sigh and rubbed his temple. “Ugh… troublesome Genin.”

Kankuro chuckled softly. “You do know who they remind you of, don’t you?”
“Why did I ever assign them to my sister?” Gaara complained, “what was I thinking?”

“Personally, I think it was the best decision you ever made,” Kankuro said amused.

Gaara glared at him. “Don’t you have somewhere to be? I have an opening in the kitchen.”

Kankuro gulped and scratched his head. “Uh… I think I still need to inspect my puppets,” he said.
“Then go do that,” Gaara said.
Kankuro sighed and walked outside, chuckling all the way to his own tent.

***

There was a scratching sound on her tent and Taryn went to check it out. She narrowed her eyes at the shinobi in front of her. It was the Stone ninja they had encountered on the first mission with her team. The one that had worked with Kabuto. “What do you want?” she asked.
He gave her an amused grin and bowed to her. “Yura Omoi, reporting for duty. I was assigned to accompany you on your mission.”

“My brother… assigned you?” she asked suspiciously.
“The Tsuchikage recommended me,” he answered her amused. He leaned towards her. “You‘re not scared of me, are you? I won’t harm you. We’re all shinobi now after all.”
Taryn glared at him. “We leave in an hour,” she growled and walked back inside. She looked around the tent. They had to travel light. Only her weapons. No sleeping bag. It wouldn’t be a long journey. She could do without comfort for a few nights.
In the distance she could vaguely hear Temari put down names of the incoming shinobi.
“Name. Age. Rank. Fighting Style. Specialty. Report to division four.”
Silently Taryn wondered how long this war would take. How had things come this far? Somehow it seemed like a carefully staged play. How long had Madara been preparing for this?
She packed her weapons and a few scrolls, dried food for the journey. She had already visited the medic.

“Taryn-sensei?” Hiro hesitantly stepped into her tent.
“What is it Hiro?” Taryn asked, “aren’t you on duty?”

“Yeah… uhm… I’m supposed to accompany you on your mission.”
“Are you now?” She eyed him suspiciously. “You were assigned or did you assign yourself?”
Hiro turned red. “Well…uhm…”
Taryn sighed. “Did you ask Gaara-sama?”
“Yes sensei.”
“And is it just you or are the others going to follow after us?”
“Just me,” Hiro muttered. He stared at the ground. It was silent for a moment.
Then Taryn sighed again. “Have you packed yet?”
Hiro looked up surprised. “You’re letting me come?”

Taryn placed a hand on his shoulder. “If there has to come anyone with me, then I’m glad it’s one of my students. You pack and come straight back. As soon as Yura is ready we can go.”

“Yura?” Hiro asked.
“Our other companion,” Taryn told him, “Gaara won’t let me go if I don’t take two shinobi with me.” She smiled. “Go pack.”
“I already did,” Hiro said, “I’m all set.”
“Cleaned your weapons?”
“Yes sensei.”
“Have you eaten yet?”
“Yes sensei.”
“Is Kera in shape?”
Hiro nodded.
“Alright then,” Taryn said, “let’s find Yura.”
They crossed the camp and it didn’t take long to locate the shinobi. Hiro stared at the Stone ninja wide-eyed. “You!” he gasped.
Taryn ignored her student’s outburst and walked up to Yura. The Stone shinobi smirked at the boy. “Well if it isn’t the little Suna puppy. You sure have grown a lot since last time.”
“What are you doing here?!” Hiro gasped, “Taryn-sensei, he is…”

“I know who he is Hiro.”
“But what is he dong here?” He’s a criminal! He can’t be trusted!”
Yura smiled amused. “A criminal am I?”
“Calm down Hiro,” Taryn said.
“But Taryn-sensei… he tried to kill us once.”

“He was doing his job,” she said.
“But…”

“At that time, Hiro, we were rivaling nations. Some nations we allied with, some we competed against. Simple as that. We are all shinobi now, fighting for the same cause.”

“But he allied with that Kabuto. He’ll betray us.”

“He is not the enemy Hiro! You wanted to come with me, you’ll do what you’re being told. Or have you forgotten that I was once part of Akatsuki?”
Hiro stared at the ground. “Gomen nasai, sensei.”

Taryn looked from one to another. “Can you two work together?”
“Yeah,” Hiro muttered.
“Scolded by the teacher,” Yura smirked, “now that takes me back.”
Taryn narrowed her eyes at him. “Could you stop joking around? And don’t provoke Hiro.”
“Aye aye captain,” Yura said.
Taryn sighed. “Let’s go already.”

---

A/N I'm feeling sorry for Gaara. Poor guy. They really are a trial to him. He must suffer from headchaes a lot with Taryn asa sister :P
Anyway, Yura from Stone is back. I wonder what will happen XD