**Authors Note:
I am very excited for the arc. Re-watching it has been a blast haha. So much happens and it's all so quick and together and no fillers. Which is fab cause I'm not a fan of fillers.
Also just a quick update on how the poll is doing! In first place, we have no one, but a very close second is Kakashi. Gaara is in Third but nearly tied with him is Shikamaru. We also have two write-ins for Naruto and Death haha.
**Edit: Voting closed as of 2016**
The next update on the poll will be with the next update of this story.
Anyways please enjoy, comment and vote! :)
**
Madara
It was finally time to hunt for the nine-tails. My only concern being that since Pein killed Jiraiya, the leaf will have their sights set on him. The more time that passes, the more likely they're going to have a plan against him. Normally that wouldn't concern me either, but Rin was now a problem.
"You know that brat can't take me" Pein objected.
"I'm aware" I replied shortly.
"But we've lost information of her whereabouts, even in just a few weeks the Princess is capable of advancing quickly." I reminded and Konan rolled her eyes.
"If we don't know where she is then how do we know she'll be in the leaf?" She argued.
"Because she knows we're after the nine-tails, and she knows Sasuke has his sights set on Konoha's destruction. This battle will not be as easy as we predicted."
"You're the one that let her leave, I'd have sooner killed her than let her return to the Leaf" Pein reminded and I sighed.
"You know why we need her alive, which is why I task it to both of you to bring her back." I said firmly.
"Alive but subdued. With Itachi out of the picture she's alone, an easier target."
"And Sasuke?" Pein asked.
"She has already sided against him; in the end he'll stand with us" I replied confidently.
"That's what you said about Rin" Konan reminded.
"Yes, well she follows more after Itachi than I could have imagined. Assuming she would fall in line with Sasuke was a mistake, a mistake you two must compensate for. I want the nine-tails and I want the Princess, alive" I ordered, emphasizing the word alive.
"Only they remain" I added.
"And the eight tails?" Konan asked.
"Sasuke has already captured him" I replied as Pein stood up, the other parts of him walking from the shadows.
"Konan make all the preparations" He ordered.
"We leave now for the Hidden Leaf Village" I noticed it then, or at least thought I did. It was a flicker, a trick of the eye maybe but within the shadows I could have sworn I saw red eyes.
"What is it?" Pein asked and I stared at the wall, trying to see what I guess wasn't there.
"Nothing"
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Shikamaru
Since my mission was completed Lady Tsunade allowed me to assist Rin's team in tracking Pein, and by assist it meant she needed Neji back on the field and Rin needed a guard. Something I was actually happy to help with. RIn was sitting at head head of the room, her legs crossed and hands held in a hand-sign. Dark chakra was dense around her and every shadow pulled towards her before extending outwards in multiple directions. She released slow breath after slow breath. Her eyes closed and focused. I noticed her flinch and stood, but didn't get closer.
"Rin" I called and she became unnaturally still.
"Rin" I called again, but she didn't move. I moved a little closer, jumping slightly when her eyes shot open and the jutsu ceased. She sucked in a sharp breath as the dark chakra rushed back into her body, the white in her eyes were darkened. She raised her hand telling me to stop when I tried to walk towards her.
"I-I'm fine" She managed.
"I-I might have been spotted" She admitted.
"What?" I asked watching as she stumbled getting to her feet.
"My shadow might have been seen" She repeated and used the wall to steady herself. She rubbed her eyes and this time when she looked at me her eyes were clear.
"But I think I found him" She said confidently.
"Seriously?" I asked and she nodded starting another set of hand-signs.
"I need to get to Lady Tsunade now" She said quickly.
"Grab my arm and don't let go" She said firmly and I followed her orders. I grabbed her arm as a patch of darkness opened in the wall.
"Rin wait..."
"Let's go" I held on tight as she pulled me in. I made sure to keep with her pace as the world faded. It was suffocating. I didn't understand how she could see where she was going. I nearly tripped when she turned, an opening in the distance. I stumbled as we stepped through and sunk to my knees when the light hit my eyes.
"Rin, Shikamaru" I heard Lady Tsunade's voice but the world was spinning, and my stomach churned. It felt like I was going to be sick.
"Sorry, shadow transportation gets a few times to get the hang of. I passed out the first time I did it" She replied and I felt a hand on my back. I opened my eyes slowly, the world coming back into focus and took Rin's hand when she offered it.
"Easy" She said gently.
"Why are you here?" Lady Tsunade asked.
"Pein is coming" She said flatly.
"E-Excuse me?" Tsunade stammered.
"I found him, not far from here and he's on his way."
"What else do you know?" She demanded.
"Konan will be with them. He's after Naruto and there are six of him"
"You mean them?" Lady Tsunade questioned and she shook her head.
"No him, six of Pein. I tried to use my Sharingan to check it out but I was nearly detected. I had to cut the jutsu short" She explained.
"Six?" Lady Tsunade repeated, sounding doubtful but I could sense Rin's frustration.
"Look I'm just telling you what I saw! We don't have time for doubt, Pein is going to be here any minute and..." RIn was cut off by a loud explosion. An explosion that caught Lady Tsunade's attention almost immediately. I saw, what I normally didn't see in Rin, fear.
"It has to be him" Rin breathed.
"How could someone orchestrate an attack of this magnitude without being detected." Lady Tsunade questioned as she stared at out the window.
"Barrier core reporting ma'am, there was an intruder. It entered through out airspace. We sensed just one, but several attacks have been reported across the city." A shinobi from the barrier core rushed in with his report.
"Six, seven with Konan" Rin said firmly.
"Analysis core reporting, enemy strength estimated as three battalions in size." An ANBU had appeared and nodded when they say Rin to which Rin nodded in return.
"Sound the emergency alarm and then recall Naruto" She ordered then looked at Rin.
"I need you to assemble a team, find the Pein you know and delay him till Naruto returns. If you can stop him all the better" Lady Tsunade ordered.
"What!? Lady Tsunade, even Master Jiraiya couldn't take Pein, to send Rin would be reckless and I'm sure her strengths could be used elsewhere."
"Shikamaru, Rin..."
"I'm an Uchiha" Rin interrupted.
"And I can handle this" She said firmly.
"Rin..." I tried to begin reasoning with her but she wouldn't have it. She just kept talking.
"But I only need one other ninja"
"That I can't allow. This is serious Rin" Lady Tsunade objected.
"I'm being serious" She replied firmly but Lady Tsunade didn't budge, causing Rin to sigh.
"Look a team will only get in the way, even with the Akatsuki I was the exception to the two man squads. Right now the only team I'm used to are Naruto and Sakura, but Sakura will need to be in the hospital and Naruto isn't here" She explained.
"Then who..."
"Kakashi" I realized and Rin nodded.
"Kakashi and I work flawlessly together. I need someone I can communicate with wordlessly and also who can keep up with me. How many shinobi do you have that can do that?" Rin asked and Lady Tsunade fell silent. I sighed slightly before meeting her gaze.
"Look I've seen it before, Rin and Kakashi fighting together against Hidan and Kakuzu. It'll work or at the least buy us some time." I could feel Rin's eyes on me, her confusion but Lady Tsunade finally nodded.
"Very well" She agreed.
"I'll do whatever I can to save the village" Rin said firmly.
"I know you will. Now Shikamaru, I want you helping with citizen evacuation" She ordered and I nodded.
"Good, you're both dismissed" I nodded, bowing before following Rin out the door.
"Rin wait!" I called and she stopped mid-sprint.
"Be careful" She smiled slightly and walked back towards me placing a gently kiss on my lips.
"You too" She replied and I nodded, smiling when she grinned.
"Besides nothing can get around Kakashi and I" She replied.
"That's what I'm worried about" I muttered and she raised her eyebrow but didn't question further.
"Right" She said slowly as she returned the ANBU mask to her face.
"Um just stay alive" She said gently before turning.
"Rin..." I started and she paused.
"Don't say it" She replied quickly and I paused.
"It's just not the right time" She added and I nodded slowly.
"G-Good luck" I managed to stutter instead and watched as she took off. I guess she was right; it wasn't exactly the time or place for emotion. We both had our missions, we didn't need the distraction.
Kakashi
I managed to catch Pein's taff just inches from Iruka's face. Iruka stared up at me surprised but I kept my attention on Pein, meeting his gaze. The rings in his eyes reminded me briefly of the Sharingan.
"You create a loud diversion so you can hunt from the shadows huh?" I questioned. A cowards way of attack.
"K-Kakashi" Iruka stuttered.
"Take that injured man and go, leave this to me" I replied firmly and he nodded.
"Roger, right away" He replied as he pulled the man over his shoulders before taking off.
"Now it's just the two of us" I said creating some distance.
"Perfect now I can just ask you..."
"You won't take Naruto" I interrupted but he didn't even flinch.
"I am interested in the nine-tails but you know someone else I also need." He replied.
"Where is Rin Uchiha?" I was taken off guard by his question. Why did he want Rin? The Akatsuki were after the tailed beasts.
"She resigned, she's no longer your lackey" I replied and noticed him smirk slightly.
"Yes, but the fear of her is present in any village. We'll find her, one of you will eventually talk."
"You've got it all wrong" I shot back.
"We're not like other villages. The people here would sooner die than give up a comrade" I said confidently.
"Rin isn't a comrade" He replied simply.
"And one way or another we'll find her" He added. I had some hope in the fact that in times of crises most ANBU were recalled to protect the Hokage. That's where Rin would probably be, on guard duty much to her dismay. I felt him push on his staff, creating enough force that it broke. I ducked when he went for kick and slammed my hands the ground.
"Earth style, mud wall!" I shouted and the earth rose blocking his retreat. I flinched when he managed to stab his staff into my shoulder.
"Lightning blade!" I shot my arm forward and briefly met his eyes. It felt like my movement slowed, like the rings were the only thing I could focus on. I pressed onwards and missed his head completely, my chidori instead hitting the wall behind him.
"Kakashi Hatake, The great Copy-Ninja. It is an honour to meet you" He said simply as I drew back a few steps, creating more distance.
"Where is Rin Uchiha?" He asked again.
"That's a stupid question" I replied shortly as I readied another Chidori. I ran forward, arm stretched out ready to land a hit but a whistle took my attention elsewhere. A tone I recognized instantly, one that meant stand back. I managed to slow, stopping the Chidori and jumping back just as a kunai flew past me and in front of Pein. I could see his confusion, confusion that was quickly replaced by realization as he jumped back barely missing the explosion as the note went off. I slid across the ground not moving as the ground around Pein caved in. He moved quickly, using the pieces of earth to avoid the sinkhole and get to solid ground but the moment he managed to land fire followed. He turned managing to thrust his hands forward sending the flames spiralling but through them an ANBU appeared. They shot forward, katana drawn slamming into his chest, Pein caught the blade stopping it from moving further. I could see the ANBU's arms shaking as they pressed on.
"Nice try" Pein taunted but just as he reached for the ANBU, lightning sparked off the blade sending him flying. The ANBU stood tense, waiting as they returned their katana to their belt. Pein rose slowly from the rubble and wiped blood from his lip.
"Figures" The ANBU muttered and seemed to vanish just before re-appearing beside me.
"Did Lady Hokage send you?" I asked.
"Yes, not that you can't do well on your own we tend to do a lot better together." I recognized her voice then and whens she turned I knew the mask.
"Rin" I breathed and she nodded.
"Lady Tsunade has sent for Naruto, she wanted me and a small team to delay or stop Pein" She explained.
"Team?" I questioned.
"Well I figured you and I were enough, a team would only get in the way" She replied and I nodded slightly. We did know each other well. I knew Rin wouldn't want to leave room for error.
"Does he recognize you?" I asked as we both faced Pein.
"Not yet, but the second I use dark chakra he will." She replied.
"And before you say don't use it, we're going to need it"
"I know" I replied.
"So what's the plan?" I asked and she shrugged.
"Don't die, work with each other. The usual"
"Moving higher in the ranks are we" Pein mused.
"Then you'll know for sure, where are Rin Uchiha and the Nine-Tails?" He demanded.
"Naruto is out of your reach" She replied as she reached for her mask.
"Besides how many times do I have to tell you not to bother the Leaf?" She asked and Pein's eyebrow raised as Rin pulled off her mask, her sharingan burning red as she glared at him. The anger in her eyes would make any normal shinobi flinch or even back off but Pein merely looked amused.
"So, they let you become a member of the ANBU? This explains your disappearing act." Pein mused.
"Let me guess? Madara didn't want to send Sasuke so he sent you instead? I wonder what Amegakure would think of their all mighty god being used as nothing more than an attack mutt?" She spat and Pein's eyes darkened, anger beginning to fill them as he held Rin's gaze.
"You can come willingly and..." Pein paused, realizing that Rin was no longer listening to his words. She was instead drawing a line in the sand with her foot. He seemed annoyed at her disrespect but she still paid no attention as she glanced me. I nodded to her unspoken question asking if I was ready.
"Fine" Pein said shortly, anger in his voice.
"Enough talk"