The Willow Maiden [Naruto]

{52} War

War was so close and Ruka was helping every village by giving them information about Madara and Obito Uchiha. She had told them their intentions and told each Kage about their tactics. 

"That was the last village, Milady. Every shinobi has been informed." Basil informs Ruka, returning from her long trip. 

"Thank you, Basil. You did well. You can rest now." Ruka pats the fox's head gently. 

"As you wish, Milady." Basil nods her head. "Are you sure you want to do this? This is a very dangerous situation that everyone is in. Are you ready?" 

"Ready as I will ever be." Ruka nods her head. "Gaara has made his speech to the allied forces who agreed to participate in this war. . ." 

"Is something the matter, Milady?" Basil notices Ruka looking in another direction. 

"I have this unsettling feeling. . . Everyone is on the move, fighting, and Lady Tsunade has left the village with the Raikage and Tsuchikage. . . And yet still. . .something seems a bit off. Shinsuke told me about a jutsu. . . The reanimation jutsu. . ." 

"Is that what's troubling you, Milady?" 

"Yes." Ruka looks at Basil and nods. "I am going to take a look of things. I will be alright. I will summon you if I need you." Ruka stands from the ground and smiles at Basil, then doing a hand sign for Basil to return to wherever she come. 

Ruka left the village and into the forest where some of the troops had gone to. She heard explosions and screams coming from the forest. 

"What is going?" She asked herself and stopped when she saw a body on the ground. She walked over to it and saw one of the clay bombs the shinobi was hit with. 'Where have I seen this before? . . .' She thought to herself, then her eyes widened. "This is Deidara's clay! But, I thought he was dead. . . Did he not blow himself up? That is what Basil told me. . . What is happening?" 

Ruka's wrist was grabbed by the surviving shinobi. "Take. . .this. . ." He gave Ruka the scroll. 

"Let me help you. I can heal your wounds." Ruka places her hand on the wound, but the shinobi stops her. 

"N-No. There's no time for that. Deliver the scroll. "I'll be fine. Just go." 

"Mm." Ruka nods her head and runs off. 'The war has begun. . . I have to deliver this scroll to Kankuro.' She thought and ran to the battlefield where Kankuro and the others were. 

"Gotcha!" Ruka turned around and saw a clay bird heading her way. Ruka gathered the roots from beneath the earth and shielded herself to avoid the blast. 

'That explosion just now. . . Deidara?' She looked up to see Deidara and Sasori on his clay bird. "It is you, Deidara. . . Sasori. . ." She glared up at them. 

"Working with the leaf instead of with us? Hn." Deidara glared back at her. 

What are you doing, Ruka? Why are you with the Leaf?" Sasori asked her. 

"Because it is my home." Ruka answered. 

"The Akatsuki was your home!" Deidara shouted at her. 

"That was before my memories were altered. . . I was taken from you after capturing the 1 tails. Do you not remember? I followed Zetsu to go to the other hideout, but I was taken to the Leaf Village. That is when my memories returned to me. Sasori. . . You were defeated by Sakura and the old woman, Chiyo, and Deidara, you died by blowing yourself up. Who reanimated you?" 

"Can't say. Hn. If you come back with us, maybe we might." Deidara smirked. "You can't possibly like staying with these weak shinobi. You were better off with the Akatsuki. Hn." 

"I will not abandon the Leaf." Ruka's eyes glow and thorns sprawled out of her body. "It is my home, and I will protect it." 

"So be it." Sasori glares at her and attaches charka threads to her, but the threads were sliced before it could reach her. 

"Get away from her." Kankuro got in front of Ruka and glared. "What are you doing here, Ruka?" 

"To deliver this to you. It came from a member of the Aburame Clan. He is injured." Ruka informs him. 

"It's because of them, isn't it? Take cover with the others." 

"Hai." Ruka nods and runs to the direction where Kankuro came from. After dealing with Deidara and Sasori, and Sai's brother, Shin, Ruka was told to recruit with Kiba and his clan, Shino, Hinata, and Neji with the other Leaf Shinobi. 

Ruka did as she was told and recruited with the troops. "Good! You're here!" Kiba smirks at Ruka. "Here they come." He looks back at the army of White Zetsu heading their way. 

'Zetsu?!' Ruka's eyes widened. 

"Let's do this!" Kiba shouts. 

"Don't be so quick, Kiba." Neji informs him as the White Zetsu army charges at them. "Here they come. Let's go!" 

"Hai!" Ruka nods her head, shaking off the fact that she had to fight her the person who revived her. But something was off. Where was the other half of Zetsu, Black Zetsu? 'I have to focus on the battle.' 

"Go!" Kiba's mom shouts and the troops charge at the army. 

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Sorry to make it short. I really don't know what else to put, but if you have any ideas, let me know, please. More to come in the next chapter!