Kakashi was leaning heavily on Sasuke and myself as the entire Konoha group stood before Gaara, Kankurō, Temari and Baki in Gaara's office.

"Must you leave so soon? You're all still tired, you need time to rest," Temari fretted.

"Don't worry, Temari-senpai," I soothed. "We have to get back to Konoha as soon as we can anyway and report to Obaa-chan."

"I understand," Gaara said softly. "Still, I wish you could stay a bit more."

"Maybe next time," Naruto laughed.

"Hn. We should probably get going," Sasuke muttered.

One by one we filed out of the office, though Naruto took Kakashi's other half so I could stay a moment or two. The door was left opened behind me, as I wasn't going to take long. I moved quickly, wrapping my arms around Temari. The girl gave a soft chuckle, returning my hug. I repeated the process for Kankurō, Baki and finally Gaara.

I hesitated a moment before kissing Gaara's cheek as well. "Be safe, Nii-chan."

Gaara blinked vapidly at me. "... I will. Watch over Naruto for me."

"Always."

"What? You kiss him, but not me?" Temari teased. I smirked, flickering towards her and kissing her cheek as well. Kankurō laughed.

"Be safe, all of you," I told them before leaving.

('･ω･')

After we had reached Konoha and the first reports were given, I requested privacy with Tsunade in her office. I hesitated a moment before presenting her with two scrolls. The first one contained Sasori's heart and the second one, his body.

"I managed to capture the Akatsuki member Sasori," I informed her.

Her eyes widened and Shizune sucked in a sharp breath.

"He's turned himself into a puppet, however, and lost all capabilities of feeling anything physical, not to mention he lacks a brain so the Yamanaka technique wouldn't work on him, and normal interrogation wouldn't either," I continued. "I doubt he would be of much use to you now, but he was willing to share an interesting bit of information with me before... before I captured him."

Tsunade eyed me as she took both scrolls. "... Go on."

"It pertains to the next whereabouts of Orochimaru. Orochimaru was his ex-member and when he left, he made Sasori rather cross. Sasori implanted a spy with Orochimaru and at the designated spot and time the spy was ordered to meet Sasori there, but Sasori knows that Orochimaru would have been joining him and the spy. It was his plan to engage Orochimaru and kill him along with the spy. Judging from the situation, I can safely say that this information is accurate," I finished.

Tsunade's eyes gleamed. "... This will be our chance... Mm... You are dismissed for the moment, Miwako. I will need time to think over this."

"Hai, Obaa-chan."

As I turned to leave, I could hear Tsunade bark an order towards the nearest ANBU. "ANBU! Collect Jiraiya ASAP and bring him here."

"Hai, Hokage-sama!"

('･ω･')

I sat by Kakashi's hospital bed, humming a tuneless song as the chakra-exhausted shinobi read his porn. I was preparing his meal on his nightstand—salt-broiled saury and miso soup with eggplant—when a quiet knock at the door had me pausing in my work. I glanced up at the doorway. Shikamaru stood there, a bored expression on his face. He stared at Kakashi another moment before nodding.

"Asuma-sensei wanted me to come down here to make sure you weren't dying or anything... troublesome," Shikamaru muttered, looking very much like he wanted to be at his home sleeping in bed.

"Nope, not dying this time," Kakashi said cheerfully. I smiled at that.

"Here's your food, Kakashi-sensei," I said, placing the tray in his lap. Kakashi gave me his famous eye-smile, patting the top of my head affectionately.

"Thank you, Miwa," Kakashi said, snapping his chopsticks.

There was a flicker of chakra and my head snapped in the direction as a familiar ANBU kneeled before me. "Uzumaki Miwako, Hokage-sama requests your immediate presence."

My eyes widened. "H-Hai, Kitsune."

Kitsune gave a brief nod of acknowledgement before flickering away. I glanced in confusion over at Kakashi. He gave me a short nod and I, too, flickered away.

('･ω･')

The office was filled with shinobi and kunoichi. I stood close to Jiraiya, Naruto on the other side of me and Sasuke next to him. Tenten, Lee, Neji and Gai were there as well, not to mention Sasame, Sakura, Haku, Anko, the man I recognized as Yamato—still in ANBU uniform—and Kitsune. Not to mention Shizune was there as well, only she was decked out in her Jōnin uniform.

"Information has been brought to light concerning the missing-nin, Orochimaru," Tsunade said, her voice clipped and formal. "Orochimaru has been a thorn in Konoha's side for far too long. He must atone for his sins, now. I have gathered you all here to perform this action. Jiraiya will act as leader of this mission, second in command following to ANBU Commander, Kitsune. You will leave at noon, any questions you may ask Jiraiya or Kitsune. Dismissed!"

('･ω･')

Naruto grinned brightly at Haku, the two doing a sort of man-hug-thing.

"It's great to see you, man!" Naruto laughed, pulling away from Haku.

"You as well, Naruto-kun," Haku said gently, smiling. "I was most pleased when Tsunade-sama approached Zabuza-sama for an offer for me to work in Konoha. I am equally pleased that I was already well acquainted with Sakura-chan and Sasame-chan beforehand."

"We're glad to have you on our team, Haku-kun," Sakura murmured. Sasame nodded her head in agreement.

"We've been waiting for our third teammate for far too long," Sasame said, nodding her head sagely.

"Well, I'm just glad I got such a nice team," Shizune laughed lightly, a teasing glint in her eyes. Haku bowed deeply to her.

"It will be an honor working under you, Shizune-san. You were most helpful in establishing Wave's hospital and very kind to our people," Haku murmured.

Shizune blushed prettily and I giggled at them.

"Hn. I'm curious to see how far you've come," Sasuke said, eying Haku. "After this, what would you say to a spar? I'll warn you now; I'm not the same little boy I was back then."

"And you do not think that I have not progressed as well, Sasuke-kun?" Haku countered, a mocking glint in his eyes.

"Yosh! It's wonderful to meet you, Haku-san!" Lee exclaimed, practically bursting with energy. "I ask you kindly to treat Sakura-chan dearly."

Sakura blushed brightly, giggling nervously from Lee's rather blunt try at subtly. "Lee-kun, I don't think that will be necessary, Haku-kun is a perfect gentleman."

"He's the one you guys fought in Wave, right?" Tenten whispered quietly in my ear. I glanced over at her, noticing her's and Neji's curious expression. I nodded.

"Correct. He fought Sasuke-kun and Naruto in Wave on equal grounds."

"Impressive," Neji observed.

I nodded again, glancing behind them to see the adults—minus Shizune—conversing quietly. Anko seemed particularly anxious. Then again, this was her chance for true vengeance against Orochimaru from all the shit and hell he put her through.

Jiraiya pulled away from the group first. He gave us a leer. "Alright brats, it's time to move out. We'll be moving in smaller groups, one will arrive at the bridge long ahead of schedule and scout the area, while the other groups arrive later. Group One, you're with the amazing Jiraiya—myself; Miwako, Naruto, Sasuke. Group Two, you're with Gai; Lee, Neji, Tenten. Group Three with Shizune; Haku, Sakura and Sakura. Group Four; You're under Kitsune; Raion (Lion) and Anko. Group Four will move out first, followed by Group One, Group Two and finally Group Three. Each group will be brief on their duties, meet with your captain of your group for further instructions."

Naruto, Sasuke and myself moved over to Jiraiya while the rest separated. I could already tell which groups would be designed for which purposes. Group Four composed of seasoned shinobi and kunoichi and also the smallest would be, but the toe dipped in the water. They would scout the area and tentatively secure it. Group One—us—and Group Two were the real offense, the heavy-hitters if you will. We would be there to provide the backbone and real meat in the attack; we would be the ones securing the area. Group Three would be the medical group, they would be the group that would come in last and support us. If possible, they would remain out of the battle with Haku acting as their first major defense.

"We'll leave Konoha in exactly three hours, make sure you're packed and you're ready to leave," Jiraiya instructed. "We'll meet at the front gates."

"Understood," we chorused.

"Good; dismissed."

('･ω･')

The trip to the destination was relatively uneventful, all of us were familiar with one another so there were no problems or drama on the trip. Jiraiya, for once, held a very serious manner and didn't even stay in any of the towns for too long. A couple days of traveling, in building anticipation, had all of us on edge when we arrived at the makeshift camp Group Four had devised, not far from the bridge.

We unpacked our things in Yamato's—Raion's—wooden house before gathering downstairs for a brief dinner. In the morning to early afternoon we would be engaged in battle. It was a nerve-wracking thought and even though there were so many of us, I couldn't help, but wonder if one of us wouldn't be returning to Konoha.

I prayed that would not be the case.

When the others arrived, they were greeted with warm and welcome, and the atmosphere around dinner and afterwards was that of warm and merry.

But I could read between the lines.