Let It Burn: Death [Sasuke Uchiha]

Chapter 2

The next morning, everyone in the camp silently ate their rations. This was the last time many would see their teammates, friends, and family until the war was over. Whether alive or in the afterlife. And nearly everyone had been separated. The Ambush/Surprise Attack Company was being led by Kankuro, with Sai as one of his members to be sure to hold back the Akatsuki and warn the other forces of their presence. Rather than have a surprise attack hit them by land.

The mid-range fighters consisted of Tenten and Choza from the Leaf, and the General of the First Division, Darui, from the Land of Lightning – the Raikage's right hand man.

Division Two was led by a Stone Ninja and full of close-range fighters such as Neji and Hinata, whom Mai was disappointed to see go off in another direction.

Gai arrived early that morning to join Division Three. He spoke little of the events on the island where Naruto and Killer B were held, completely exhausted from the speek it took him to reach them in time. Rock Lee was holding up his sensei so the young man didn't collapse to the ground. Sakura quickly saw to him in order to replenish his chakra levels.

"Idiot!" she scolded. "We need you at your best! Not passing out!"

The Fourth Division was home to the long-range fighters with Choji, Shikamaru, Temari, and her brother, Gaara, who was the head of the division. On top of being the commander of the entire army on the battlefield. Quite the feat for the youngest Kage.

And then there was special ops in the Fifth Division headed by Mifune. He commanded Ino, Shino, and the Inuzuka Clan.

The rest of the Kages stayed at headquarters to assess the various battlefronts and create formations to handle the enemy. Only when necessary would they come to the front lines.

All were ready, staring up at the five leaders on the rock formation that overlooked the field they stood in. But even though they were mentally prepared there was still tension between the ranks as long rivals from various countries stood beside each other at long last. Hatred soon began to brew before shouting echoed in the air as small fights broke out for revenge. The Shinobi Army was beginning to crumble from the inside. If ninjas could not put aside their differences to fight against the Akatsuki that meant to destroy their existence, then they were already dead before even meeting. That's when Gaara's sand stepped in to break up the senseless fighting and drew all the attention towards him.

"Three times now, we've fought World Wars for our Nations, our own Villages," the Commander declared. "We've hurt one another. We've hated one another. That hatred bred a lust for power, and that lust for power created me. I was a Jinchuuriki, 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 the Hidden Leaf stopped me.

"I was his enemy, yet he wept for me! I hurt him, yet 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 more enemies here because we've all suffered at the 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 the Sand," he spoke directly to the Stone Ninjas who fought with his own ninja, "then when the war is over, come and take my head instead!"

The statement startled everyone, something changing in their eyes. There was a shift beginning to occur in their divisions, the demeanor of the forces changing.

"Our enemies are after the friend who saved my life! If they take him, if we hand him over, our world is finished! I want to protect him, and I want to protect our world! But I'm too young to protect it all on my own! All of you, lend me your aid!"

Every ninja cheered in response, the roar deafening, fists raised. And to Belva's surprise she watched as Mai joined in, shouting 'hoorahs' in allegiance to the Kazekage. Her determination was clear and it made the woman follow her student's lead, fist raised in the air.

"Everyone who's with me, let's go!"

And they marched off to war, the Be Fong tried to steal one last glance at those she had begun to consider friends and colleagues over the years. Their disagreements aside from the last few weeks, none of that mattered now. They were still the closest thing she had to a 'family' because in a way they cared. It was difficult from the numbers as they became lost in the crowd. But sensing their chakra was more than enough as Gai, Belva, and her took up the front behind Kakashi following after the Ambush Squad. For an hour they traveled on foot before coming to a stop. Kankuro then lead his team out of sight to find the advancing enemy.

"Stay on alert," Kakashi stated. "Just because we can't see them doesn't mean they aren't there. There's no telling what Madara will send our way. Stand guard."

"Yes, sir," they answered.

Kakashi turned to his two Lieutenants.

"The calm before the storm," Belva mused.

"Is there anything out there?" the young man wondered.

"The Ambush team has stopped moving," Mai stated.

"Pull back." The ninja cocked a brow in his direction. "I don't want you straining yourself that far. Reserve your strength when the battle comes."

"You do realize that this is no longer a struggle for me, right?"

"Yes, but keep it to our surrounding area."

"Very well, then."

The ninja's defensive line retreated to a proper perimeter. The young man knew the Be Fong from experience that she'd push herself without reason. Which was dangerous seeing as how a battle could last hours. Even days. She needed to conserve as much strength as possible. Someone had to keep the teen in check.

As the minutes ticked by the silence was deafening. But no one dared say a word, tense for the impending war. Listening for anything that would give away signs of the Akatsuki Army. Mai began to wonder if she should reach out and touch the Ambush Squad's chakra for a brief moment. See how they were fairing, when something lifted above the treetops.

"General," Belva mused, causing all heads to turn.

"A red flare," the ninja muttered. He then realized what it was. "That's the Ambush Squadron. Let's go!"

Cursing under her breath as they set out again, Mai was wishing she'd checked sooner, flying through the branches.

"What's their situation?" Kakashi asked.

"They're retreating," the teen stated. "Quickly. And their numbers have decreased."

This pushed the Third Division to move faster.