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Tsunade sat at her desk, in the middle of the night, hands clasped in front of her with a stern look on her face. She stared intently through her dark office at Kiba and Shino's faces. "Are you sure this is true?" She questioned curtly.
Kiba, who had cuts and bruises and was supporting Shino to stand, nodded, "Positive." Shino who was also pretty banged up looking said faintly, "My bugs confirmed it, and they found his hideout." Tsunade screwed up her face at Shino's fatal looking injuries and nodded. Grabbing the papers at her desk she skimmed the page quickly. "And you were found--or caught and attacked?" She asked glancing at the two. "Hai, Tsunade-san, but we...took care of them. No one knows we were there." Kiba replied.
"Good." She said relieved. Tsunade then put her hand on her forehead trying to supress her oncoming head ache. She opened her eyes staring at the two ninjas infront of her desk. They were injured and breathless from the hasty trip home plus they held so much important information, that if one little detail was wrong or left out all could go to hell.
"Are absolutely sure?" She persisted. "I don't think they would lie, Tsunade-san." Shizune added. Tsunade turned her gaze to her friend standing behind her chair and narrowed her eyes. "That question was not directed at you." She said grumpily. Shizune smiled nervously and backed up a step. Tsunade turned her attention back to the boys.
"Well?"
"We are sure." Kiba said, now struggling to keep Shino's limply body standing up.
Tsunade nodded again. "Alright, that's all I need." She said while straighting her papers. "Shizune, get them to the hospital and quickly they need medical attention. Also keep their rooms guarded and make sure they are there for the rest of this week, just to be safe." Tsunade started ordering. "Oh, and Kiba," She said. Kiba, who was just about to walk out with Shino and Shizune turned around.
"Akimaru is in the hospital being treated. If you want to see him later just ask one of the nurses." Tsunade said softly. Kiba nodded and mouthed a silent thanks before they exsited the office.
Now alone, Tsunade had time to think of what to do in this situation. There were so many things to do and so little time to do them, and all needed to be done quickly. It was also very dangerous, extremely dangerous. Pluse most of her ANBU are gone on other mission, and most of her jounins are also away... She was in a state of panic! Frustartaed she punched a hole in the wall. "Damn!"
She calmed herself down thinking she needed to do this one thing at a time. First: Does she need to send people on a mission for this situation?...Yes. Okay, first thing down. She thought. Second: Does she need to inform Suna?... Yes, but later. If too much leaks out if could be fatal to the mission. Third: Does she need to wait until morning to send a group?...No it needs to be done now. Fourth: Who does she need to send?...Oh boy...
Thinking about this she began to get flustered. Alright, whose not on a mission? That's where I'll start. Tsunade thought. Gai and Kakashi were both on a mission with most of her jounin. Her ANBU...gone. Now she was on a frantic search in her mind for ninjas.
How could this have happened? When the Uchiha and Orochimaru are finally spotted, and their hide out found...everyone is gone or not avaliable. Damnit! Her mind screeched. It's not like she could just let it slide, they are at war with the Sound. After killing the Third, they've been on their tail trying to put them in.
Who could she send...? Well they would have to be atleast chunnin level, but she would like them to be jounin. "Uh!" Tsunade huffed. Suddenly her office door opened and Shizune entered. She walked slowly up to the desk, shaking slightly.
"Well? Tsunade-sama...what are we going to do?" She asked.
"I...Give me the photos of all the nin who are chunnin and up, that are free for a mission." Tsunade ignored her question.
Shizune stalled for a seconded then nodded and scurried to a drawer. Tsunade watched her shuffle through it until she heard a 'ah ha' and Shizune walk back over with a blue folder. "Here." She whispered, handing it to her boss. Tsunade cleared the papers, and other objects off her desk. "Okay," She began. She pulled out all the photos spreading them along in a line. There where nine photos.
Tsunade sighed looking at them thoughtfully. There are two jounin free and seven chunnin... A plan started to slowly form in her head. A dangerous and hasty plan. This could put most of their lives at stake, but this mission needed to be done quickly. She mumbled back and forth about the idea for a few minutes, while Shizune eyed her worriedly.
"Alright," Tsunade said having made up her mind. She grabbed all the photos putting them in a pile. "We need two teams," Tsunade said in a matter-of-fact tone, "and Neji, being a jounin, will be captin of Squad A, then Shikamaru, also being jounin in charge of Squad B." She place Neji and Shikamaru's photos separated, at the top of her desk.
Shizune watched the lady Hokage intently. "Well...since Neji is on A then we'll need another Byakugan user on B to make it even..." Tsunade said, more or so to herself, placing Hinata's photo under Shikamaru's.
Tsunade rubbed her temples in a thinking motion. Looking at her opotions, she picked up on in particular. Naruto. Shizune saw the blond's picture in Tsunade's hand and stepped forward hurridly. "Tsunade-san is it really wise...to send Naruto-kun? With Akatsuki after him and all?" Shizune advised. "And with his...unpredictable behavior? Especially involving Uchiha Sasuke?" She continued quickly.
Tsunade chuckled lightly shaking her head letting the silence last for a couple of minutes. "No," She finally whispered, "Naruto would kill me if I didn't assign him on this mission." Shizune's eyes widened and she gripped the desk frantically. "B-But--
"You know that if I didn't send him, he would go off by himself." Tsunade said airily, while twirling his picture between her fingers. Shizune nodded and opened her mouth to argue, but was silenced by her saying, "I think he would do best under Shikamaru, he's smart enough to handle him. He's a genius after all."
Tsunade then placed Naruto's photo under Hinata's so they were lined up vertically. Shizune stood on the balls of her feet nervously. Tsunade smirked while picking up another photo. "And to keep him perfectly in line...it would be best to send Sakura with him," she place her student's photo under Naruto's, "Besides...she would rather do this with Naruto."
Shizune looked around the room, racking her brains for an excuse not to send the Kyuubi holder. Finding none she sighed crossing her arms, letting Tsunade go on. The Hokage glance at the four photos remaining. She moved Tenten, Lee, and Ino's under Neji's photo, leaving Choji's. She picked his up, holding it in her palm.
"Shizune!" She suddenly said.
"Y-yes?" Shizune answered.
"Look in the hospital records, wasn't Choji sick this afternoon?" Tsunade demanded.
Shizune mumbled a 'Yes ma'am' and walked swiftly to a shelf behind the Hokage's desk, pulling out her usual clipboard. She flipped through a few pages and finally finding it nodded a 'yes' to Tsunade's question. "Okay then, Choji shall be left out. We can't have the sick slow us down."
"So...these are the teams?" Shizune asked. She doubted that these would be enough. "Hai. Team A ("Neji's team right?") will go and confirm Orochimaru's hideout. They will stay and spy on it until back-up reaches them. Now Team B ("Naruto's correct?") will go after Sasuke and Orochimaru, where they were last spotted. And if they find them they are to stay low until back-up releaves them also. If they are confronted they are to run or try to. They are only to confirm that the Uchiha is alive. Only..." Tsunade said trailing off.
Shizune gulped nervously, "You sure this will work, Tsunade-dono?" The Sannin hesitated, looking over the pictures of her ninja. She ran her fingers over the smooth surface of the photos. Then with a looked of sorrow she whispered, "I don't know..." That comment left them in silence for a while. They weren't brought out of this trance when the clock chimed one.
Tsunade snapped up. "Alright, Shizune, let's get this thing going." Shizune nodded professionally.
"First, bring me Sakura! Quickly."
"Hai."
"Oi! I'm not done yet, get back in here!"
"Ah...Sorry Tsunade-san..." Shizune smiled embarassingly, walking away from the door.
"Next, get me the first trusted ninja you can find. Tell them to report to me immediatly."
"Hai."
"Also get a letter ready for Suna. It is to be sent off at six tomorrow afternoon."
"Hai."
"Oh and one more thing...bring me some sake. Top priority."
"Uh...Tsunade-sama..."
"Shizune!"
"H-Hai!" she squeaked.
"Go. And hurry!" Tsunade said curtly.
So when she finally got her sake and was settled down, Tsunade heard a soft knock on her door. "Come in." She replied. The door opened and Sakura walked in looking sleepy and annoyed, but spoke very politely, "Tsuande-san you called?"
"Yeah, Sakura I need you to get these ninja for a mission," Tsunade handed her the blue folder with the photos in it, "It's very important so hurry. And tell them not to wait for the rest, just to come on to my office. Tell them to pack for a long mission."
Sakura cocked her eye brow and said, "Hai, Sensi." Then she bowed and proceeded out of her office. She glanced at Tsunade once more before closing the door behind her. Oi I hope this works... Tsundade thought taking a gulp of her sake before slaming it down on her desk empty.
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Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock...the clock echoed loudly in the silent room. Tsunade was staring at the faces of her ninja...her Kohona ninja(Naruto and Sakura just arriving), waiting to hear their mission. "Now that we are all here...I have a mission for you all." She finally choked out. She was having serious regrets on her plan...cold feet...she thought, just cold feet, that's all... She could see everyones anxiety. "And I...I would sent out a different group, but you guys are all I have at this time...and it has to be very quick... It's a dangerous mission..." Tsunade mumbled.
"Oh...they're too young...but they have always done well in bad situations...why do they have to be the only choice...Kakashi, Gai get yourselves here...now...dammit I need more sake," Tsunade muttered to herself glancing at her sake glass, "damn Uchiha, damn Orochimaru, damn--
Tsunade was cut from her thoughts by a cough; she snapped up to see Sakura stepping forward, "Tsunade-san what's the mission?" She asked. Tsunade looked at her sadly. Sakura...I hope you can handle seeing Sasuke again. She thought. Tsunade sighed, I hope you all can handle it. She looked at their faces, praying to every God in her book before saying, "We've found Orochimaru's hide out...and Uchiha Sasuke has been spotted not far from it..."
A few people gasped, others gaped, and some just were shocked, though, none said a word. The only one that was still able to stand without goggling at this information, Neji, said, "But the Uchiha or Orochimaru hasn't been seen for two years. How could we just suddenly find this ultimate secret place that they haven't let anyone find? How could they lasp in secrecy now?"
Tsunade looked at Neji carefully. "We got very, very lucky to encounter what we have." She folded her hands at her desk, eyes narrowed. "He is right...this could be a trap to pull away your last defences...why would Orochimaru relax on secruity now?" Shikamaru said lazily.
Tsunade nodded, taking in this possiblity. "So you are saying not to go after them?" She finally asked. Shikamaru put his hands in his pocket glancing at Neji. "Well," he started, "you should probably check it out, but leave this group here for secruity."
Sakura's mouth fell open. How could he say this?! Doesn't he want to find Sasuke?! Sakura thought, very pissed off and shocked. Naruto, thinking the very same thing, shouted, "What?!" Tsunade glared at him.
"I see what you're saying," The lady Hokage said to Shikamaru ignoring Naruto, "I--
"What are you saying?!" Naruto cried again. "This isn't a time to be careful, pull back and stay here! It's time to go after that bastard!"
Tsunade glared at Naruto again. What the hell is he thinking yelling at the Hokage? "Naruto," She seethed. "Naruto's right!" Sakura added in quickly. Tsunade stared blankly at her usually well behaved student. "We need to go after them! This could be our only chance!" Sakura said, tears stinging her eyes.
Tsunade stared at them silently for a while, debating inside her head. Why was being Hokage so damn hard? She closed her eyes and started to rub her temples. "Tsunade," somone whispered faintly, "please."
Tsunade opened her eyes to see that the voice was no other than Sakura's. Taking great pity on the poor, lovesick child she had made up her mind, "We...we will go after the Uchiha...as originally planned. Understood?" She looked around, "Now here is how we are going to do it..."
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"Are you ready?" Asked the pink haired chunnin, pulling her backpack over her shoulder. "Definantly." Naruto replied glancing at her. They were in front of the Kohona Gates about to set off for their mission. It was pitch black outside, and everyone seemed to be nervous and quite jumpy.
Sakura smiled at Naruto, "Me too." Naruto nodded and looked forward at his team mates. "Okay everyone," Shikamaru announced, "let's get going--Sakura, Naruto, Hinata with me...S'go."
Neji looked around at his team and nodded, basically saying: 'Come on'. The teams walked out of Kohona and jumped into the trees, finally heading out on the mission. "We're comming Sasuke-kun..." Sakura whispered to herself.
Tsunade watched as they left the village, leaning on a tree with Shizune right beside her. Tsunade turned her head facing Shizune. "Did you send someone to inform Kakashi?" She asked. Shizune glanced at her friend and then replied, "Hai."
Tsunade smiled. "You know what this calls for?"
Shizune looked at her puzzled.
"More sake!"
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Hola...well sorry for such a long wait, but I went on vacation and all. Just got back, sooo hope ya like. I might be a while before I post again, cuz the new Harry Potter book is coming out tomorrow and I will be reading it for a while, so heh...hope it ties ya over.