Eagle One
Chapter Eight: Prepare
Disclaimer: Mr. Masashi Kishimoto is the brilliant mastermind who owns the Naruto series. I unfortunately and to my deepest regrets don't own anything about it except my little fanfiction.
Crucial Author's Notes! People, look I may not seem like it but I've really figured out everything I want to do with this, so please please please don't tell me a fact is wrong when in actuality it's only wrong because of something you haven't learned yet! PLEASE!
I would have that in flashing letters if possible...
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He stood silently, his eyes still as false as they ever were, "I will bid you leave Raikage-sama," he said cheerfully. He turned, keeping his wits about him, ready as always to turn and fight if the need arose. His hands drifted subconsciously toward the scroll that was slung around his waist as he felt a hand on his shoulder, "What do you want Captain?" he said innocently.
"We have two ANBU that we captured from Konoha, they have been identified as Hyuuga Hinata of the Hyuuga Clan originating from Northeast Konohagakure and Kazangan Lee of the Kazangan Clan originating from South Iwagakure." The spy found something wrong with the way the guard was smiling, it was filled with menace, more of a leer then a true smile, "We would like you to come and help us interrogate them,"
The spy tried to keep his breathing as level and normal as possible, "I don't see why you would want me to assist you," he said, "It seems to me that your men should be sufficient,"
"Well we would like you to assist us, it would serve to prove your loyalty to our Raikage," the Captain replied, his cold black eyes searching for any sign of tension.
"Very well then, if it for the Raikage," the spy said, "Just don't use up too much of my time, I must get back to Konohagakure by the morning or their Hokage will become suspicious." The spy followed the Captain to a building that was a couple hundred feet behind the castle and descended several stairs, winding downward into a dark room that looked more like a cave than a man-made structure. The spy grimaced as he saw them, two faces that were shockingly familiar. The two stared at him in absolute astonishment, unsure of what to think or believe. The spy stopped, his new emotions and his old self battling in his mind, "I don't see why you'd need my help," he said again, allowing a small smirk to cross his face defiantly, "Don't tell me you need my help to deal with two bound Leaf nin?"
The Captain bristled at the insult but kept his face straight, "Well if your dedication is as true as the Raikage would have us believe, then you must have no objection to helping us extract information from these two,"
The spy smiled and turned, waving his hand in a dismissive gesture behind him, "It's not even worth it,"
The Captain strode forward and placed his hand heavily on the spy's shoulder, the spy half-turning in his direction with a sort of amused interest, "Will you do the opening honors?" the Captain asked, gesturing to the bound captain who simply glared back at him, his eyes fearless.
The spy tried to keep the frown off of his face. 'Red eyes? Since when..' he banished that thought immediately. He had to complete the mission presented to him by the Hokage. His friends were going to hate him for what he had to do. He pulled out a wicked looking kunai from his belt rather than his kunai holster and advanced slowly. 'Forgive me,' he thought briefly. He stopped in front of the bound captain, red meeting black, both ninja staring at each other silently. The captain noticed the small kanji on the side of the kunai and blinked in surprise, where had he gotten that? The spy drew in a breath as the bound captain gave a barely noticeable nod, the spy gripped the kunai tighter and plunged it into the Captain's arm, ripping into it and cutting painfully deeply. The sound of pained cries rent the air, and it was all that the spy could do to keep his face into the cruel grin, his eyes still on the Captain's, begging him silently for forgiveness.
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Tenten sat down heavily onto the bench in the mobilization room, tossing her armor in a clump into her locker, not even bothering to close the door. She buried her head in her hands, she wanted to cry so much, but she couldn't, not now, she was now the leader of their torn squad and she had to be strong. "Eagle Squad," she croaked, "Dismissed,"
Kiba sat down heavily next to her, his eyes watery but denying himself the comfort of tears if his squadmate wouldn't allow it for herself. Temari stood nearby, her head leaned against her locker, tears running freely down her face. She was taught in Suna that death and loss was a natural part of a mission, a crucial part, nothing more, but it was much more, her friends had been lost and she could do nothing about it, a sense of helplessness flooded her mind as she cried brokenly, going to sit near the rest of her squad. Kiba smiled through his pain suddenly, his face lighting up as he remembered some of the times that the squad had together, "Hey guys," he said, chuckling softly, his watery eyes contorting into a smile of both mirth and pain. "Remember that time Genma gave Lee some of his sake on accident?"
Temari smiled too, her eyes becoming distant as she remembered it, "Yeah... Lee destroyed about half the Cloud platoon before going to sleep," she chuckled, "I still remember the look on Genma's face,"
"Really?" a voice called. "I don't look THAT funny do I?"
Tenten jerked her head up, her eyes landing on the tall ninja that was standing in the doorway, "Hey Genma..." she said, "Welcome back..."
Genma walked over, standing by them his eyes surveying the familiar room, "Wow, and I thought I wouldn't be welcome here anymore," he said.
"You'll always be welcome here Genma," Tenten said, "You may not be an ANBU anymore, but you're still an Eagle,"
Genma nodded, unconsciously rubbing the area where the Eagle insignia had been burned, "I guess so..." he said. His cheerful demeanor fell for a moment, "I heard..."
"We couldn't do anything about it," Kiba said bitterly, "We would have stayed given half the chance," he looked angry, "Hell, we shouldn't even have been on that half-assed mission..."
"Kiba..." Tenten said softly, "Easy..."
Kiba nodded, his eyes falling back onto the ground, the brown globes still threatening to betray him and tear up. "You tried a Mass Shunshin didn't you?" Genma asked quietly. "Why?"
Tenten shook her head as she remembered the battle that had occurred, "We were surrounded, we were trying to extract Naruto and Sakura out of the battle zone, Lee had made that the primary objective, and get them back to Konoha..."
Genma blinked, his eyes searching the new squad leader's expressionless face, "Sakura and Naruto?"
Temari nodded, "They're the replacements for you and Shizune apparently,"
Genma looked startled, "The Council finally has him off of lockdown?"
Tenten shook her head, "The Council no longer has the ability to authorize anyone anywhere,"
Genma looked her in the eyes, his expression startled, "So they really went through with it? Who went?"
Tenten nodded, "Every squad leader and their second was called out for a 'special' op. We basically entered the Council's grounds and forced them to relieve their authority to the Hokage,"
Genma nodded and opened his mouth to speak when suddenly the door was flung open, a distraught looking Shizune running inside. Shizune had tears welling up in her dark eyes, "Is it true?" she asked simply looking at each member of the squad in turn. "Is it true?" the squad members all turned away sharply, giving her no answer. Shizune understood immediately, sinking down onto the ground, "No.." she whispered, her tears running freely down her face, "They said... but I didn't want to believe it... I just... hoped..."
Genma went over, consoling the openly weeping woman, "Yeah, I know what you mean... that's why I came too..."
Temari stood up, her eyes blazing with a new fury, "Why do you even care?" she spat, "You left us! We were a team! A family... and you left,"
Genma looked down, his eyes sadly setting onto the ground, "I won't try to excuse what I did," he muttered, "But you'll understand why in a couple of years... and you'll want out too.."
Kiba scoffed, gesturing toward the Eagle tattoo that Genma had on his arm, "We promised each other that we would always be there for one another when we got those... did you forget that already?"
Genma's eyes suddenly flashed with anger too, "Well let's see how you feel about that when you serve for about four years,"
Temari shook her head, "Don't give us that, you've only served one year longer than Lee has.."
Genma stood up angrily, "You wouldn't understand," he muttered. He walked away quickly, turning at the door, the squad froze, the look on his face was filled with sorrow, "I.. I'm sorry guys... I just can't do it anymore.."
"Genma!" Tenten yelled. Genma just nodded once and walked through the door. Tenten slumped back down as their longtime teammate simply left them again. "So that's three we've lost now..." she muttered.
Kiba sighed and rubbed his eyes, "We need to go do something," he muttered, "We can't just sit here and mope.." he looked up, "Wanna hit Hirugohan's and get something to eat?"
Temari nodded, "Right, we can't just sit here in the dark and cry over something we can't change..." she stood up and stretched slightly, "Hirugohan's it is?"
Tenten bit back a laugh as she remembered an incident that happened the day of their graduation, and immediately regretted it, the memory hitting her with full force.
---
"Squad Fifteen!" Lee yelled, holding up a glass of water.
"Fifteen!" Everyone yelled, holding up their own glasses. Temari smirked across the table at their squad leader and laughed, "Water, Lee? You too good to have some sake with us?" she sighed, "You're just like the other seasoned vets, too good to mess with us rookies,"
Tenten also began to laugh, "Giving Lee alcohol is possibly the stupidest thing you could ever do,"
Kiba perked up at that announcement as well, "Why?"
Tenten shook her head, still shaking with mirth, "Lee gets just a tiny bit different when he's drunk..."
Kiba smiled, imagining a funny scene, "Oh is that so? I'll be right back..." he stood up, everyone's eyes staring at him inquiringly, "Bathroom," he said simply and walked away.
Lee quickly drank the rest of his water and smiled at everyone, "So how does it feel to be official members of the ANBU everyone?" he said.
Tenten nudged him playfully, "You tell us 'Captain' you've been an ANBU easily two times longer than all of us first-year rookies,"
Lee grinned right back, "Fair enough Tenten-chan," he said, his eyes moving around to each member of his squad in turn, "It feels great!" he stood up, "I have been in two other squads, Squad Tempest and Squad Razor and neither of them showed as much promise as we do right at this moment!"
Temari smiled, "Is that true or are you just saying that to make us feel better?"
"Maybe a little of both?" Tenten shot in. Lee just shook with laughter as he shook his head. Tenten frowned, nudging the small girl next to them, "C'mon Hinata-chan, say something! We graduated!"
Hinata smiled shyly and looked down, "If I had to die fighting by anyone... I would rather it be with this squad than any others..."
"Here, here!" Kiba yelled, raising his cup. Everyone glanced at him, they hadn't noticed him coming back, Kiba just smiled at them innocently. "Let's have a toast to that!"
"Captain?" Tenten said, asking for mock permission.
"Of course second captain," Lee said, "Carry on,"
"To Squad Fifteen! The best squad in all of ANBU!" Tenten yelled, quickly draining her entire drink in one gulp.
"Squad Fifteen!" everyone yelled again for what must have been the fifth time that night. Lee smiled, he was glad to see how close everyone was in his squad, his previous two squads had been divided sharply by seniority and he had attempted not to do that to his squad. He quickly drained his glass and felt a burning sensation in his throat and stomach. Everyone froze as their squad leader suddenly shook his head, "Kiba... why did you do that?" Lee said.
Kiba grinned, "Because if anyone, you need to loosen up man,"
Tenten saw the slight blush forming already and fear started welling up in her, "Um... Kiba, Temari, we're going to need to get him out of here..."
Temari blinked, she was fairly drunk but not enough to miss the seriousness in her friend's voice, "What are you talking about?"
Tenten shook her head, "Don't question it, just do it," she glared at Kiba who was still grinning, obviously pleased with himself, "And any damages to this place are coming out of your mission pay,"
Lee suddenly lurched to the side, his sense of balance fading quickly, "Tenten-chan... hurry," he said, trying to resist the urge to smack the person at the other table who was glaring at him with obviously hostile intent. Lee tried to hold it in but failed, "HEY! WHADDAYA THINK YOU'RE STARING AT? HUH?"
Tenten grimaced and grabbed her squad leader, "We have to get him out of here," she nodded to Kiba, "You're the fastest, go find Shizune and ask her for the solution that she made to make Lee sober again,"
Kiba blinked, "It can't be that bad right? I mean..." he was cut off by a crash as Lee suddenly lunged over the table at a waiter, screaming something about staring at a person for doing nothing. Kiba jumped forward and tried to catch his squad leader, his eyes widened as Lee simply jumped over his tackle and continued to lurch forward.
"Kiba! Get to Shizune! Now!" Tenten yelled, unrolling her scroll and retrieving a small net, "Go!" she yelled. Tenten swung the net over her head and threw it, Lee just half-turned in her direction and flipped backward, missing the net entirely. Tenten smirked, he was different now from the Lee that was their Captain, their captain would never had made such a careless move, she spun, loosing several chakra threads from her finger tips and whipping them around the squad leader, Lee looked confused as he slammed into the ground, bound with the numerous chakra fibers. "Temari," Tenten said, smiling, it was a little funny after all, "Let's get him out of here,"
"WHAT? Afraid to fight fair? Huh? C'mon! I'll take both of you on! You can't beat me in the springtime of my youth!" a very drunk Lee yelled as they dragged him outside. Tenten chuckled, he was really funny when he was like that, "I can beat you!" he yelled again.
Several minutes later Kiba ran up to them, one of his hands wrapped tightly around a vial, "got it," he said.
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Tenten nodded, "I guess we're going to Hirugohan's" she said. She stood up, her hand still shaking gently.
"Excuse us, are you Second Captain, Ara Tenten of Eagle Squad?" a voice called.
Tenten jerked around, her eyes landing on two ninja who were standing in the doorway, their uniforms identified them as ANBU level one's, probably straight out of basic concealment and tactical training, "I am," she said, she frowned, her eyes meeting the small boxes the rookies were holding, "What do you need?"
The first walked up, handing a sheet of paper to Tenten. She blinked in surprise, "We're ordered to fill the gaps in your squad in the stead of ANBU level one, Hyuuga Hinata, and ANBU Captain, Rock Lee effective immediately," he said. "We're here to clean out their lockers,"
Shizune's eyes flashed defiantly, "Don't you dare touch them," she said, "Get out,"
The rookie blinked in surprise, "But ma'am we have orders.."
Temari stood up, "Well I'm an ANBU Level two, thus outrank you and I ORDER you to leave right now,"
"Ma'am our orders are direct from High Commander Nara," the rookie said, looking down, "You do not possess the authority to rescind them,"
Temari frowned, "Shiki-kun said that?" the rookie stared at her and she coughed slightly, "Inform High Commander Nara that he better rescind those orders or he might as well not come home for a week,"
"We have our orders," the other rookie said, trying to strong-arm his way to the locker, he pushed Temari out of the way and walked over to the locker, opening it and ripping the old Eagle mask off of the hook that it hung off of, dropping the mask on the floor carelessly.
The rookie froze, his eyes widening, "Put it back," Kiba said softly, scraping the dagger against the rookie's back, "Put Lee's mask back, and get out of my sight, you're not part of our squad, and you're never going to be,"
The rookie gulped, all of the arrogance he had shown before melting away, "Look... they're gone... you can't..."
Kiba dug the dagger into the rookie's back, "Put it back," he said menacingly, "They may be gone, but you're not going to take their place..." he watched as the rookie slowly picked the mask back up and sheathed the dagger again, pushing the rookie away from the locker, "Now get out of my sight," he growled. The rookies glared at him but left quickly, undoubtedly going to talk to their commander.
"I can see why veterans always hate rookies now," Temari said.
Tenten stood up, her eyes hard on Kiba, "Did you just pull a weapon on a fellow ANBU?" she said quietly, "You know better than that Kiba..."
Kiba nodded, the anger still in his eyes, he slowly opened the door of the locker and hung the mask up properly, the black engravings shining from the lights, "They're not going to replace them," Kiba muttered, "We're a family, they're not just going to barge in here and be accepted that easily... damn replacements... they don't know anything about what we've been through together and they still act like they know what a real team is..."
Shizune patted Kiba on the back, "Calm down Kiba," she said calmingly. She took a deep breath, she was the oldest and had a duty to help them when they needed it, even if she wasn't officially in the squad anymore, "Let's all go to Hirugohan's now, I'll pay if you guys want,"
Tenten nodded, her tired eyes drifting to her, "Okay then Shizune-san," she turned and smiled, snapping a thin chakra string around the handle to the two lockers, she quickly withdrew her chakra, leaving a small glimmering strand tightly securing the lockers shut. She smiled, no one was going to be able to open them without her knowing. She nodded, "Let's go,"
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Sakura looked down, tears still welling in her eyes, Tsunade continued to rage on, her voice crescendoing magnificently. Sakura could only pick out certain words but the message was clear. "I'm sorry sensei..." she muttered quietly, clenching her hands tightly, "I... I don't know what came over me..." tears fell anew as she looked up, her green eyes begging for forgiveness, "I'm sorry..."
Tsunade scoffed, her anger visible in her eyes. "Tell that to the families of the eleven ninja that were killed by him in Konoha's walls! Tell that to the mothers of the two genin that died! You're sorry? Do you really think that that's enough?"
Sakura hung her head again, "So what should I do Tsunade-sensei?" she practically begged, "I don't know how to make up for this.."
Tsunade's eyes softened for a moment, "Start by giving me a reason, tell me why you act so differently around him..."
Sakura sighed, her small frame shaking with her grief, "I.. I don't know... whenever he's close to me... I feel so... unworthy and... and I feel so weak... I just wanted his acceptance..."
Tsunade shook her head, "Do you think that's love Sakura?" she said critically, "Do you think that when you love someone you feel that way?"
Sakura wept brokenly into her hands, "I DON'T KNOW!" she yelled, "I don't know what it feels like to be loved! I just want someone to love me!"
Tsunade stiffened and her eyes softened, "But why do you want him to love you Sakura?" she said softly, "If he makes you feel that way... why?"
Sakura sighed, her eyes still red from her tears, "Because he's the boy everyone loves! If I get him to love me than I can finally be accepted!" she shook her head furiously, "Then I can finally prove my worth to everyone.."
Tsunade shook her head sadly, "You don't really love him do you?" she said, "You just want to use him to prove yourself..."
Sakura's eyes widened and she looked down awkwardly, "N..No! I.. I love him.." she looked indecisive, "Right?"
Tsunade sighed, "Don't you know?" she asked, "Odd that you wouldn't even know if you loved him,"
Sakura sighed, "I'm not even sure anymore," she muttered, absentmindedly petting Tsunade's pet pig Ton-Ton. She shook her head, "I don't know... I might.." Sakura looked back up, "Am I going to be punished for this?" she said softly, "I don't mind if I am.."
Tsunade sighed. "Well what's done is done... and we need all of the ninja we can muster... you're on lockdown in the village for the next two weeks, if you leave the village in that time, I will level additional punishment... is that understood?"
"Yes Tsunade-sensei.." Sakura said softly. She looked up, her eyes concerned, "What's going to happen to Lee-san and Hinata-san?"
Tsunade shook her head, "Who knows, the Raikage isn't on friendly terms with us, especially not recently, he may decide to kill them... or interrogate them for information..."
Sakura stood up quickly, her mind racing.As long as you are in danger I will always be there, remember? "So we're just going to leave him there?" Sakura exclaimed.
"We have no choice," Tsunade said, "We don't negotiate for the return of ANBU, they knew the risks they were taking when they accepted the mission..."
As long as you are in danger I will always be there, remember? "But there must be a way!" Sakura screamed, surprising herself with the volume of her own voice. "Send another ANBU team in! Get them out!"
"ANBU risk their lives everyday, it's their job... we can't risk anyone else's life to save two.."
"Please sensei!" Sakura yelled, "I'll go if I have to, just please get them back!"
Tsunade shook her head, "No one's going. This is the end of the argument," Tsunade pointed at the door, obviously telling her to leave.
"But..."
"No," Tsunade said, "I have work to do, please leave," Sakura sighed and stood, her green eyes still begging with her sensei silently, Tsunade just continued to point at the door and Sakura walked outside into the seemingly blinding sunlight.
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Sakura POV:
What had I done? Because of my stupid actions he was gone.. and he would never be back. I guess I never really appreciated him like I should have. He was always there... even when I ignored him, he still came to me and saved my life. I'm stupid... so stupid, always chasing after everyone else and seeking their approval instead of living my own damn life... I thought I changed, I thought I got stronger... didn't I? Did I fail? Does it matter? I wish I knew. He had to save me again, save me because I was too weak to save myself. I promised myself in the Forest of Death, I even promised Naruto that I would become stronger and finally be able to lead, not just follow and watch everyone from the back. I tried my hardest, I honestly did, but when it came down to it... the result was the exact same.. I am worthless after all.
Mixed POV:
Naruto sighed and kept walking, the loss of two of his friends weighing heavily on him, he frowned as he saw Sakura walking down the street dejectedly. He quickly caught up to her and blinked in astonishment, she was so deep in thought that she didn't even acknowledge him, not even when he was standing right next to her, "Hey Sakura-chan," he said softly.
Sakura jumped, her green eyes turning restlessly to the blond boy next to her, "Oh... hey Naruto.." she said. "C'mon, let's walk together..." Naruto nodded and they walked together for a short time, Naruto staying in step behind her casually. Sakura could sense the tension between them, a sort of lingering feeling in the air. She pretended not to notice, her face still set in a sort of pained grin.
Naruto sighed, finally dropping the charade, unable to hold back his emotions any longer, "Sakura-chan," he said seriously, "You asked Granny Tsunade about Hinata-chan and Lee-san right? What did she say? When's the mission leaving? Is it already set who's gonna go?"
Sakura sighed, shaking her head sadly, "That's just it Naruto..." she said, "They say there isn't going to be a rescue mission..."
Naruto swelled up, "No way!" he yelled, "We can't just leave them there,"
Sakura nodded, her body shaking with her grief, "We can't leave them there... but we very well can't go get them back... if we leave without clearance there's the possibility of being declared missing,"
Naruto shook his head fervently, "Granny Tsunade would never declare us missing! She can't!"
Sakura smiled, "And how are we going to get to Kumogakure? Naruto... this is just too much.. even for us..."
Naruto shook his head, "No! I'm not going to give up like this!" he yelled, stomping away.
Sakura hung her head, once again feeling useless and left behind. "Good luck Naruto.." she muttered.
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"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Danzou roared, "WE WILL NOT EXPEND VALUABLE ANBU JUST SO YOU CAN GET TWO BACK!"
"Sir, considering the rank of the first and the standing in the Hyuuga of the second, it seems that it would be best to retrieve them sir,"
"WE WILL NOT SEND OUR MEN ON SOME USELESS ESCAPADE!" Danzou roared again, "IF THEY ARE DEAD, THEY ARE DEAD, AND WASTING MORE OF OUR MEN WILL NOT CHANGE THAT!"
"Danzou-sama seems very defensive today sir," Mika said quietly, "Why would that be?"
Danzou turned a deeper hue of violet, his face turning the shade of a beet, not with embarrassment, but with anger, "What are you implying Shirotora?" he said softly, "Are you trying to accuse me of purposefully abandoning members of ANBU? How can you justify your claim?"
Mika stood tall, her eyes betraying no emotion to the enraged commander, "Sir, I simply ask you to lend me a few men, even taken from his own squad if necessary, I am sure that they will go if simply asked,"
A Ne captain that had been listening quietly chose that time to step in, "So, that makes these two ANBU better than any of the rest of us? We all know the risks, we take them every time we dawn the mask, you need to realize that you cannot save every single person,"
Mika frowned, "Ne Captain, you speak out of your station. I am an Elite, you have no authority to openly contradict me as such... hold your tongue,"
Danzou shook his head, disregarding the blatant breach in authority, "This is my decision and it will stand, no recovery party will be sent. Is that understood Shirotora?"
Mika took a deep breath, trying to cool her temper, "Yes sir Danzou-sama," she said. Danzou motioned for her to leave and she saluted crisply, turned on her heel and walking through the doors. As soon as she was outside of the ANBU dispatch headquarters she sighed and cupped her face in her hands, "I'm trying Lee," she muttered.
---
"Why are you crying?" the little girl said quietly.
"Because they all hate me! I have never even done anything to them!" Lee sobbed. "What should I do? What CAN I do? I really don't know!"
Mika frowned, "Why don't you just beat them away from you? You have the ability..."
Lee shook his head, "I could not do that... that is unacceptable.."
Mika sighed, "Well then run away, you have to choose between one or the other, there isn't that much middle ground..."
Lee sniffed, his tears drying silently, "There is always middle ground," he said confidently, "There is the path of perseverance... no matter what happens..."
"You really are just a deluded kid aren't you?" Mika said, "Persevering can only make you as strong as the people who try to hurt you, never beyond that,"
Lee shook his head, "I.."
"Hey! It's that kid again!" a voice called, "He's over there!"
Lee jumped up, desperately trying to get away, the kids surrounding him quickly. "Please leave me alone.." he said quietly, "I have done nothing to warrant this..."
"Well, you're somewhere where you're unwanted," the lead kid said, "And from what I can see, you just making us all look stupid in class but not being able to use jutsu makes us all look a little hopeless... so maybe we're taking our retribution here, eh, hot-blooded dropout?" the small child lashed out, striking Lee on the face, Lee simply fell into a defensive form, taking all of the blows as best he could. The kids eventually tired of the game and walked away, each of them boasting loudly of what they had done to the dropout.
Lee stood up silently from where he had fell, clutching his arm, he smiled weakly at Mika who still stood there, stunned, "See, now no one is hurt, and the problem is solved,"
"You're hurt," Mika said, "And they'll just come back later," the small girl shook her head, "You just made yourself an easy target, why didn't you fight back,"
Lee smiled, "For the common good, I heal faster than they do most likely, so it will do me less damage... not only that I can dampen their attack..."
Mika smiled again, "I don't understand you at all... but I like you... want to be friends?"
Lee stopped his eyes turning questioningly at the girl, "Friends?" he said, "You would... like to be friends with me?"
Mika smiled, "Of course, that's why I asked!"
---
Mika took a deep breath, she would persevere, just like Lee had shown her in the Academy. She clenched her hands into fists and smirked, she took off down the road to the Hirugohan's diner, one of the two diners open to active ANBU. She would get them back, and Danzou be damned. She skidded into the restaurant and looked around quickly, her eyes landing on a table in the far back. She ran over to it, her blue eyes landing on the squad members assembled there, she nodded to them and sat down in the empty chair, leaning forward to avoid being overheard by the other ANBU in the building, "I have a plan..." she whispered.
Tenten blinked, her food immediately forgotten, "What?" she said, hope returning to her dead eyes, "What?" she said again.
Mika looked around to make sure none of the other ANBU had overheard and nodded at Shizune, "Old squad member?" she asked.
Shizune nodded, "Yeah, I was just recently replaced,"
Mika nodded back, "Okay, that's good..." Mika reached back, pulling a small strip of metal away from the hilt to reveal a small compartment.
Tenten's eyes widened at the folded piece of paper that Mika drew, "A map?" she said,
Mika nodded, pointing to a star drawn on it, "This is the main city of Kumogakure, it's garrison strength is roughly one thousand combat trained ninja on half alert and about two hundred on full alert status, it's weaknesses are inherent within two zero five meters within it's first defensive buffer, the garrison will most likely..."
Kiba blinked in surprise, "Wait.. what?" he said, he wasn't used to such a large amount of information at once and was assimilating it badly, "What does this have to do with anything?"
Tenten looked up, her eyes already cataloging each detail and committing it to memory, "Kiba, quiet," she said, looking up and surveying the area around them, it was perfect to not be overheard in, the boisterous racket caused by the other ANBU loud enough to drown out any sound. "So what were you saying Mika-chan?" she said again.
Mika nodded, "The garrison will most likely deploy about twenty to thirty minutes after the full alert has been raised, we'll need to move in before then and secure the targets, primary mission objective being the extraction of the targets to our rally point,"
Temari blinked too, "Isn't this a little fast?" she asked, "You haven't done any research on it at all! How would you know all of this?"
Mika just shook her head, "It would be a massive waste of my time to tell you everything you didn't know. Let's just say that we have a very reliable source in the Raikage's ranks,"
"But how do you know all of that?" Kiba demanded, "It doesn't say that anywhere on the map!"
Mika sighed again, her irritation obvious, "Kiba-san, Temari-san, I AM an ANBU Elite, I know what I'm doing, please, go along with it," she gestured to the map, "The reason I am able to quote all this from memory is that all ranks at or above ANBU Captain are required to memorize vital information about certain enemy garrisons and strongholds, now can we please continue?" she looked at both of the ANBU and quickly began again, "We will need to move as fast as humanly possible, no matter how many men we have, if the enemy begins to engage in guerrilla movements in their own country we're going to be in a difficult situation, we will need to either hit Konoha's border again as fast as we can, or failing that, flee into the Wind Country where the Kazekage will most likely harbor us until we can return to Konoha,"
Tenten nodded, "Mika-chan, how many men do we have lined up for this operation?"
Mika grinned and swept her hand around the table, "You're looking at them... all of them..."
Tenten sighed and sank deeper into her chair, "Mika-chan... this mission isn't authorized is it?"
Mika smiled at her cheerfully, "Nope,"
Kiba's mouth dropped open, his eyes staring at her unbelievingly, "An unauthorized mission?" he said, "But we can't... I mean... what if we're declared missing? We could end up getting the hunter-nins, or worse, even some of our own brother and sister ANBU.."
Mika shrugged, "It's the chance you take when you take an unauthorized mission, I, for one, feel this is completely and utterly worth it, and I'm willing to be captured or killed in that pursuit, if you don't, then leave, if we... WHEN we rescue Lee-san and Hinata-san, we'll tell him you stayed behind to make sure that Konoha wasn't underpowered in our absence, no one will think any less of you,"
Kiba smiled, "Well you didn't have to say any of that... I was in from the moment when you first started talking,"
Temari shrugged, trying to keep the joy that she felt from spilling out, her eyes growing more hopeful by the moment, "Well if you're going to travel through Suna, than I'll need to come along right?"
Mika smiled, "Then it's decided, we're all going to take part in this," she smiled, "This is what we're gonna need to do," Mika quickly and efficiently laid down a plan, her blue eyes momentarily hardening, the lively orbs becoming as blue steel, Kiba frowned and looked away, he wondered if that was how they all looked behind the masks, like machines. "You have your jobs," Mika said, "Dismissed," Eagle Squad stood, each member purposefully setting out in a different direction.
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Sakura sighed, her legs dangling down as she sat on the bridge. She looked into the clear blue water, looking into it like it held some secret to the resolution of the situation. She smiled softly and picked a small flower that was near the edge of the bridge, solemnly staring down at it in her hand. She sighed, "They'll come back..," she said, plucking one of the petals on the flower and solemnly dropping it into the water, "They won't." she said, gritting her teeth, plucking another petal and dropping it into the water, "They'll come back..." she said again, picking another petal. Sakura heard a sound behind her and quickly turned to see an extremely disgruntled looking Naruto, "Naruto... so... no luck?"
Naruto sighed exasperatedly, "Nothing I said could convince her..." he plopped down next to her and sighed again, "She said they're probably dead... and that there was nothing to do for them... I even volunteered to go alone... she didn't buy it..." he shifted uneasily. He felt impotent, so unable to help his friends, "So any ideas Sakura-chan?"
Sakura shook her head, "I've been thinking all day and honestly I haven't thought up a thing..." she looked into the water, tears brimming in her eyes, "I came here... because I thought that maybe I would think of something... I... I just hoped it would give me some idea," she looked up at him wistfully, "The supposedly smartest kid in our class can't even think anymore... isn't she pathetic?" Sakura shook silently, her tears still staining her lap.
Naruto looked around at the bridge but couldn't see anything special about it, "So what's so important about this bridge Sakura-chan?" he said, trying to steer the conversation away from her self-recriminations.
Sakura smiled faintly again, looking around, "This is where I first really acknowledged Lee... it was when he was injured... by Gaara.. I brought him flowers.." she looked down at the flower in her hand, three petals still stuck onto it menacingly. She frowned and threw the flower into the water, her conscience bothering her. 'Even when I thought of Lee-san... I only thought of him after Sasuke... he didn't deserve it... Lee-san didn't deserve to be treated like I did...' she thought 'You did so much for me Lee-san.. and I never appreciated you for it... I swear I'll change... please? Just one more chance' , she turned Naruto who was sitting next to her, her eyes resolute, "Naruto..." she said, "Can you make me another promise?"
Naruto blinked but quickly regained his composure, "Of course Sakura-chan," he said.
"Forget about Sasuke,"
Naruto blinked, his mind hearing the words but not registering them, "Forget about Sasuke?"
Sakura smiled sadly, "He's just not going to come back... I won't hold you to that promise anymore..." she quickly wiped away a teardrop that was coming threateningly close to falling, "But I want you to make me another promise instead..." Naruto nodded and Sakura took a deep breath, "Please Naruto... I want you to bring him back.. bring back Lee-san... that is all I want.."
Naruto smiled, once again getting in the good-guy pose that he had used before to seal his promise with Sakura several years ago. "It's the promise of a lifetime then," he said, "I'll get him back,"
Sakura smiled back, "Thanks Naruto..."
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Neji shook his head, slipping on his usual robes, "I still can't believe you talked me into this," he muttered.
"Well he's OUR teammate and YOUR best friend, not only that she's your cousin," Tenten said, "You'd kill us if we left you out,"
Neji smiled, "Well maybe I would have,"
Tenten smiled back, "C'mon Neji, get your stuff together, we leave at 0130,"
Neji shook his head, "Leaving Konoha on an unauthorized mission into enemy soil with hostile intent? It sounds like we're trying to start a war.."
"They took Lee and Hinata from us. We're just trying to get them back,"
Neji locked eyes with her for a second, "But what if they're not alive," he said.
Tenten drew in a sharp breath and looked away, "They will be," she said uncertainly, "Or I will personally kill each and every Cloud nin I see there,"
Neji shook his head, picking up his small rucksack, "No," Tenten stared at him in confusion and Neji smiled, "If they've killed them, then they are MINE," Tenten looked at the expression on Neji's face and they both burst into laughter. Mission Complete.
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Shizune nervously fiddled with her sleeves as a guard turned toward her. "Hey!" the guard said, "Shizune-san, how are you this fine day?"
Shizune nodded, trying to control her breathing as to not appear suspicious, "I'm great!" she said, smiling sweetly. The guard nodded enthusiastically and began to talk to her about events around the village, she slowly and carefully pulled out a senbon with a tranquilizing solution on it and dropped it on the ground. The guard didn't notice the small tinkling sound as the senbon hit the floor and continued to talk, Shizune stepped forward, using her chakra to stick the senbon to the bottom of her sandal. She nodded, pretending to be listening to the guard's ramblings when she jerked her foot a minuscule amount forward, pricking the guard's uncovered toe with the senbon. The guard fell to the ground, sleeping peacefully. She quietly lifted the guard's body and dragged it into the room with her. The Hokage's archive was enormous, a gigantic circular room filled with all sorts of invaluable maps, books and tomes. Shizune was looking for something specific however, ignoring the other books she selected a small map, a drawing of the internals of the entirety of Kumogakure, she quickly placed another piece of paper over it and pulsed her chakra into it, the chakra reacting with the paper and copying the map perfectly. She folded it up and slipped it into the lining of her kunai holster, walking back outside again with the guard. She pulled out an antidote and quickly treated him, waking him up, "Slow down," she said as the guard tried to stand up, "You fainted," Shizune almost smiled.
The guard smiled weakly, "I did?"
Shizune nodded, "You really worried me, you just fell down. Maybe you should take the rest of the day off?"
The guard shook his head, "I'll be relieved in a few minutes, I'll be okay for that long... thanks Shizune-san.."
Shizune smiled, "Would you mind if I stayed with you until then to make sure you'll be okay?"
The guard smiled back, "No, I'm okay Shizune-san, please, don't worry about me,"
Shizune nodded, "Okay, if you're sure," she said, "Keep up the good work," the guard thanked her and she left, the map still in her kunai holster. She smiled. Mission Complete.
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Temari pushed aside the guard that was standing in her way, "Mrs. Nara! You cannot do that!" the guard yelled.
Temari just scoffed and charged in, her husband looking up questioningly as the door banged open, "Shikamaru, we have to talk," she said.
"Ma'am," the guard said, rushing forward, Temari just shut the door deftly, slamming the guard in the face with it and sending him rolling backward, she then locked it, her eyes glaring threateningly at the commander who was sitting at the desk.
Shikamaru sighed, "Temari-chan... I guess from the way you called me Shikamaru instead of Shiki-kun, you either want something, or you're pissed off at me..."
"You think?" Temari said, "Why did you order people to replace Lee and Hinata?"
"Regulations,"
"Shiki-kun.." Temari said gently, "Don't act like this," She knew Shikamaru had taken the death of his teammates badly, it was obvious, his face had become drawn and his disposition darkened. "I want you to come with us... please help us get them back..."
Shikamaru shook his head, "Temari-chan," he said softly, "They're gone... and there isn't anything you can do to change it... you have to accept it,"
Temari shook her head, "If they're dead then we'll go get the bodies and bring them back to Konoha anyway, they deserve better than to be humiliated like that... remember the three from Squad Viper that were caught last year? Do you want them to end up like that?"
Shikamaru looked away, the Hidden Sound had captured three ANBU members from Squad Viper the previous year, they had found the bodies dumped five hundred meters from Konoha, mangled beyond identification, the full details hadn't even been disclosed because of the grisly shape the bodies had been in, "Please don't go Temari-chan..." Shikamaru said softly. Temari blinked in surprise, Shikamaru had said it so softly and sadly, like a small child who didn't want to be separated from his mother, "Please... I don't want to lose you too..." he glanced down, breathing shallowly.
Temari shook her head, "I won't die Shiki-kun..." she said, "And no one will either... so please Shiki-kun... come with us?"
"No.." Shikamaru said, "I.. I'm not going..."
Temari sighed, but she could see that asking again wouldn't be the best thing to do, Shikamaru wasn't in his best mindset and needed some time to think, dropping him immediately into a mission that would need pinpoint precision would be worse for everyone. "Okay Shiki-kun.." she said softly, "Then please at least don't tell anyone that we're gone okay? Can you do that for us?"
Shikamaru nodded silently, "I.. I will," he stood up, walking around the desk and ignoring the rather copious amount of paperwork he knocked to the ground, "P.. Please be safe.." he said softly, "Come back to me.."
Temari kissed him softly, "I'll be just fine," she said, "Just keep the hunter-nins away from us," Shikamaru nodded tearfully and Temari glanced at a clock on the wall, their rally time was three hours away, she ignored the guard's pounding on the door and pulled up a chair to his desk, sitting down, "I'll stay with you for just a while longer, okay Shiki-kun?"
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Kiba muttered to himself softly as he hefted the eight packs of food and supplies, he was always stuck with the annoying missions, "Alright, I'll be going now," he said, nodding to the logistics chief who was still glaring at him suspiciously. Mission Complete. He walked out of the supply depot and almost ran straight into Naruto. He groaned in annoyance, this wasn't something he needed at the moment, he sighed and walked around him, hurrying to the rally point.
"Hey Kiba!" Naruto yelled, Kiba grimaced and stopped, "Where are you going with all of that? You gonna eat it all by yourself dog boy?" Kiba rolled his eyes and kept walking, not even acknowledging the blond ninja. "Hey! Hey!" Naruto yelled, "What's up? Why won't you even talk to me?"
Kiba stopped again, sighing and dropping the eight rucksacks on the ground, "Would you shut up?" he growled, "I have MUCH more important things to do right now than talk to you,"
Naruto blinked in confusion, "Whattaya mean?" he said, he frowned as it suddenly snapped into place, the reason he hadn't seen the rest of the squad, the reason Kiba was walking around with eight survival packs, why Kiba wouldn't even take time out of his duties to talk to him. He smiled, "When are we going?" he said with a grin.
Kiba shook his head, "WE aren't going anywhere," he said, "YOU are staying here,"
Naruto frowned, "But I want to help get Hinata-chan and Fuzzy-brows back just as much as you do!"
Kiba growled quietly, "Well you may want to get Hinata-chan and the CAPTAIN back as much as we do, but you're not, you're too much of a security risk,"
"I fight just as well as you do and you know it!" Naruto yelled, "Let me help get them back!"
Kiba glanced around, people were starting to stare at them, Naruto was drawing too much attention toward them, "Shut up you idiot," Kiba growled, "You're drawing attention,"
Naruto looked around and indeed there were interested ANBU that had come for supplies staring at him, Naruto turned back to Kiba but the other nin was already gone. "Hey!" he yelled, running after him.
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Lee coughed violently, blood spraying on the ground in a stream, "Your mission?" the interrogator said again, his cold eyes boring into that of the ANBU Captain, "What was it?"
Lee struggled back up, standing at stiff attention and holding his head up high, "ANBU Captain Rock Lee, Squad Fifteen, Designation: Eagle," he yelled, "To disclose information pertaining to the mission is a serious violation of the ANBU's regulation 23-10, to do so is to betray the village of Konohagakure,"
The interrogator sighed, he had expected either the girl or him to break quickly, possibly even immediately, but now after about six hours straight by four different interrogators they still had not, he formed the seals again, forcing the chakra into a ball of electricity again, "Your mission?" he said again. The captain repeated the mantra again and the interrogator sighed, slamming the ball of electricity into the Captain's neck.
Lee grunted in pain, it felt like there was fire going down his neck, and he fell backwards twitching. He gasped in the sweet sweet air and coughed again, the tears running down his face, he quickly blinked them away and gritted his teeth, standing back up defiantly. He did not scream, he would not give them that satisfaction. "ANBU Captain Rock Lee," he said once again, "Squad Fifteen, Designation: Eagle... to disclose information pertaining to the mission is a serious violation of.." Lee gasped in pain again as he was struck repeatedly in the face with some blunt object. He fell backwards and lay on the ground, breathing shallowly and struggling to get up again. He took in a deep breath, calming his aching body slightly, and stood back up, the chains holding his arms down clanking loudly, "ANBU regulation 23-10, to do so is to betray the village of Konohagakure,"
The interrogator sighed in irritation and smiled, "Maybe you won't tell me because you're not really afraid of me..." he said, "Maybe I should show you what I can do?" Lee glared at him but didn't say anything.
Hinata looked away, tears falling more and more quickly from her eyes as the pained groans of her captain got louder and louder. She cried softly into her arms as she heard a sudden loud scream, she trembled, unsure of whether he was still alive or not, hoping that he would be okay. Suddenly the door of the cell she had been sitting it was opened and Lee was thrown in with her, his limp body thudding heavily against the wall. "Lee-san..." she said softly, going up to him and shaking him.
Lee tried to stop shaking, and he gasped, trying to soothe the burning in his lungs. "I... I am fine Hinata-chan.." he gasped. Hinata didn't look convinced, for good reason too, he wasn't okay, he felt like his whole body was on fire, everything hurt and he could barely breathe. He tried to ignore his pain and flipped over, his bound hands reaching behind him and wrenching out the kunai that was still stuck in there. He grimaced and flipped it over, smiling at the inscription on the blade. "Hope," he said smiling, "Thanks Sai," he broke the handle of the kunai cleanly in half and gratefully retrieved the small medical supplies that had been hidden in the hilt.
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"I'm certain this alliance will benefit both of our countries Raikage-dono," Orochimaru said.
"I'm sure it will as well Orochimaru-dono," the Raikage said, "I am looking forward to when we combine our forces,"
Orochimaru gave a formal bow and left silently, his personal aide by his side. "Orochimaru-sama.." Kabuto said softly, "Was it the best idea to give the Raikage something of such power?"
Orochimaru grinned snakishly, his eyes flashing red briefly, "Honestly Kabuto... it doesn't matter what I give him... because in the end, the Tears are all that matter... and we have three..."
Kabuto looked stunned but pressed on anyway, "But surely not even the Tears are that powerful?"
Orochimaru chuckled, "You have no idea Kabuto.." he said.
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Notes: Yes everyone I'm still alive. Sorry for the incredibly incredibly long wait, I'll try to keep it from happening again! I'm so sorry! Writer's blick is really horrible... anyway... I further apologise but updates after this one are going to be a little slow...-er... because I have to go back to school and have to find a balance. Sorry again, but I hope you like the chapter!
PLEASE REVIEW! IT KEEPS WRITERS WRITING!
Seriously, taking a few seconds to lodge a review means so much for the writer.
Review Responses:
SapphireWhiteTigress: Her words bouy me up when I doubt myself and no matter how much I really just can't express my appreciation for her enough. I would have canceled this at least 60 times by this point had she not been there for me. I just don't know how I can thank her! THANK YOU TENNYO! -cries-
Quietchick: XP, lol, Hinata and Lee are my two favorite characters too! And here's the next chapter that proves that in fact, they are not dead! Hope you like the chapter!
Wah IMA Pirate: Thank you so much for the review! I'm very happy that you would be so kind! I will do my best to keep up or even improve my work and reviews definitely help me in that, so thank you!
Original-Monkey-Girl: Thanks for the review! Are the colors white and red of some importance? -winks- you know? They just may be...
K.C: Thanks a lot! I really appreciate everything you've said about my fic. I've really tried my best to make all of the characters true to form and I hope I've done that to some degree. I'm glad you liked my OC, I really like her too, she's kinda the middle ground. Thanks again for the review!
Gman: See, there is an underlying reason for that, it doesn't go as far as a simple Henge... remember to get into the gates, or out for that matter, you need I.D and other 'things' that will be discussed later. Please don't tell me that a fact I have already taken into contention is wrong.. it's kinda annoying...
I apologise heartfeltly, I have absolutely no artistic abilites AT ALL. But if you would really want one then maybe I can ask Edward Sushi and possibly see if there is something to be done with that. Thanks for the review!
Funky Platypus: -cries- I love Gai too! I'm sorry I had to kill him but it was going to become important later and... -stops before he spills any spoilers- I'm happy that you found the characters still matched up with their personalities, it was what I was going for! Thanks for the review! Enjoy!
the dude lebowski: And you sir, have made my week as well. I'm so happy that I was able to brighten up your weekend even just a tiny bit and it makes writing this really worthwhile! Thank so much!
mangocloud: Not at all! It made me happy! Thank you!
'.Serene.Panda.': Thank you for the review. I have to say that I appreciate your review and I'd like to say that I really appreciate the fact that you would take the time to do so. Thanks!
Samber: I'm glad you liked it! heheh I'm glad to stop typing Sasuke-obsessive Sakura now, it was started to get on my nerves. I hope you like this chapter as well!
Mrs. Rock Lee: Yes, in my opinion as well, Sasuke is, and always shall be, a traitor, not only that I just don't like his attitude.. Thanks for the review and yes the LeeSaku pairing will be gradual, so it may take a while...
A heartfelt thanks to everyone who reviewed and a heartfelt plea to everyone else to please review!
