Night had finally fallen over the small trading village. Mei, Kaon and Ishi were hiding in different areas around the village. Kaon and Ishi were completely hidden from sight while Mei posed as a female villager, borrowing some clothes and hiding her headband by tying it around her thigh so it would be hidden by the peasant skirt. Mei was dressed in a brown skirt that went down to her knees with a white tank top.
Mei sat in one of the booths, keeping her senses sharp, waiting for the men to arrive. The remainder of the villagers were hiding safely away except for a few men who were strong enough to play the role of store owners who could take a hit if necessary, not that the shinobi would allow that to happen.
Mei heard the sound of someone approaching. She looked up to see a tall man with tan skin and orange hair pulled back in a pony-tail. He was wearing brown cargo shorts and a red short sleeved shirt that had a few tears in it. The man had several scars including one under his left eye and several on his arms.
A second man approached, slightly shorter than the first man. He had paler skin with short red hair. He was wearing black pants and no shirt. He had many scars on his arms and chest.
"Look Retsu...Looks like we get a treat during our collection." The taller man smirked looking Mei up and down.
"You're right as usual Ikusa." Retsu grinned.
The taller one is obviously the leader... Mei thought to herself.
"Hey where is Sen?" Retsu spoke as a third man appeared by their side.
The third man was the same height as Ikusa and had short blonde hair and tan skin. He was wearing dark blue cargo shorts and a dark blue tank top. He had a single scar across the left side of his face.
"Sorry I was just making sure we didn't have any unwanted guests..." Sen spoke roughly.
"Hey cutie what do you have for us today?" Ikusa placed a hand on the table and leaned close to Mei, his face only a few inches away from hers. He had a sickening smirk on his face.
"Take whatever you like, just don't hurt this village...and get your ugly face away from me." Mei smirked.
"Why you little bitch!" Ikusa went to smack Mei but Mei quickly caught the man's arm and twisted it before kicking him, sending him flying making him land hard in the sand. Mei quickly jumped into the air and landed several feet away from the men. She ripped off the peasant clothing revealing her normal clothes under it. She untied her sand village headband and tied it around her head once again.
"Now!" Mei called out as Kaon and Ishi rushed out of their hiding spots and charged the men. "The so called pretty boy is mine." Mei smirked. She was disgusted by how Ikusa looked at her like she was a piece of property he could claim.
Ishi charged at Sen while Kaon ran after Retsu.
Mei walked over looking at Ikusa who slowly got to his feet, dusting himself off. "Well I wasn't expecting such a kick from a woman." Ikusa smirked.
Mei ignored his comment and charged at him as he attempted to hit her but she dodged. She went to hit him but instead felt a hard hit against her right shoulder followed by a popping of her shoulder dislocating. She gritted her teeth in pain.
Mei jumped back away from Ishi who cracked his knuckles. "Oh sorry did that hurt?"
Mei shook her head before she pulled a kunai using her left hand. She knew that until she could have someone pop her shoulder back into place that her right arm would be useless. As long as I can move I will not quit... Mei thought as she ran at Ikusa appearing beside him and stabbing the kunai deep into his side before he quickly jumped away and attempted to kick Mei but she turned quickly and grabbed his foot and forced him hard to the ground. Mei glared at him. "Surrender now I am not afraid to kill you." Mei snapped.
"Never...I'm having fun..." Ikusa wiped some blood from his lips. The hard fall had given him a split lip. He slowly got up and smirked. He suddenly vanished from sight.
Mei quickly looked around but could not see him. She saw Kaon had killed Retsu and was now helping Ishi fight Sen.
Mei suddenly felt herself get hit hard in the back of the head. She felt to her knees before the world around her began to darken as she fell face first into the sand, the last thing she heard was Kaon calling out her name.
Kaon attempted to run to aid Mei but was blocked by Sen.
Ikusa flipped Mei over and tied her wrists together before tying her arms to her sides.
"Let her go!" Ishi shouted.
"Take us to your village. I am sure your leader will pay a hefty price to have her returned...Such a pretty face would be a shame to lose." Ikusa smirked.
Mei was slowly regaining consciousness. What the heck happened? Mei felt her arms tied to her sides.
Ikusa forced Mei to her feet. He had a tight grip on the rope with one hand while a second held Mei's kunai, which he had picked up out of the sand, and held it against her throat.
"Don't do anything hasty. Ishi go on ahead and alert the Kazekage of the situation and their demands..." Kaon spoke calmly not wanting the situation to escalate.
"We want one million yen by sunrise. That is in three hours. That is when we will arrive at the village to exchange the woman for the money. If we do not get what we want not only will this woman die but everyone in this village as well. We will slit her throat and then come here to kill everyone here." Ikusa's sick smirk had grown to a whole new level.
Ishi nodded before quickly running on ahead towards the sand village. The two hour journey felt so long. One hour left I hope the Kazekage can get the money together to save Mei...he won't be happy when I tell him... Ishi ran to the Kazekage building and quickly went and knocked on Gaara's office door.
A tired Gaara answer opening the door. "Yes?"
"Kazekage there is a situation. While fighting the bandits that took over the trading village Mei was captured by their leader. He is demanding one million yen by sunrise in one hour they will be outside the village waiting for the money. They say if they do not get their money they will kill Mei." Ishi spoke still in shock over the situation.
Gaara's eyes widened slightly before her nodded. "I will take care of this...Go await their arrival at the main gate..."
Ishi nodded before rushing out of the office.
Foolish bandits...they do not know what they are dealing with... Gaara glanced out his window...
