[This is a quick catch-up for those of you who don't like to read all of the logs; it only covers what has been going on since December 24.]
Sasuke braves his past to return to Konoha; it is time that he sees his brother again. Before he catches sight of his (supposedly) only living relative, however, he runs into Hyuuga Neji - a member of the secret Rebellion forming outside of Konoha. Though their meeting does not reveal anything and they part without any answers, upon their second meeting they both figure that there is something interesting about the other. By their third meeting, that interest is turned into plain lust.
At the same time, Hinata has also finally returned to Konoha with the intent of rounding up Neji and dragging him off to help reclaim the Hyuuga. After a long time, Neji refuses her offer, and she goes off wandering again where she meets up with Naruto. Naruto takes Hinata to the orphanage where he was raised where Iruka was waiting along with his 'followers', Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon.
Itachi finds Shisui who has somehow - with unknown means - returned from the dead. Without asking for permission, Itachi takes his cousin to the Akatsuki castle where he keeps him. Before Shisui can be fully healed, however, Itachi is sent off to Suna, and, bored, Shisui leaves Itachi's courters against his strict orders. He runs into Deidara where things get a little complicated.
In Suna, Itachi and Hidan find out more than they bargained for. Hidan's confusing relationship with Temari grows, and Itachi finds himself lusting after the power that the prince of Suna, Gaara, has within him. On their way back from the powerful country, they run into the famous Tsunade who has been trying to avoid Konoha with all of her power. Upon running into the two Akatsuki members, however, Tsunade returns to Konoha to relay a message to Sakura.
While out on a scouting mission, Shina runs into Haku who is also in between missionary missions at the moment. Both of them know that there is something odd about the other, but it is not until their second meeting that anything is revealed, and, again, interest is translated into lust. Upon returning to his master, Haku was questioned and interrogated by Zabuza who finds out the truth behind what had happened.
On a walk surveying the land, Deidara and Sasori discover the Blue Butterfly that is run by Chouji. A mistake is made, and Kakashi - who had been there simply for lunch - was discovered by the two. Security was then placed at the Blue Butterfly, making it almost impossible for any Rebel members to visit the location and making the finding of rations harder and harder.
Orochimaru moves his men out of Sound at last; their destination: Konoha.