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"My loyal pets, you never fail me," Shomekek praised as the scorpions brought the paralyzed Naruto through the ranks of his personal guard.
Naruto grunted as the scorpion carrying him tilted and he rolled off its back and he rolled to the ground with a loud thud. Shomekek nudged Naruto onto his back with a foot before kneeling down and flipping open Naruto's shirt. A cold smile curved at the sight of the Lunistrium necklace. "Such a small object to hold such power," he said almost reverently.
Naruto's breathing caught on a strangled gasp as another agonizing spasm wracked his entire body, choking off his breath. Shomekek tsked softly, sadistic satisfaction showing in the slight upward curl of his mouth. "It hurts, doesn't it? But don't worry. It'll all be over soon. In a few minutes you'll be dead."
Naruto knew no more after that. He slipped into a pain filled darkness dripping with fear.
….
"Sasuke." Sakura had appeared beside Sasuke. The only acknowledgement the raven-haired boy gave was a slight turn of his head to get a better look at her. The girl glanced around. "Where's Naruto? Tsunade sent me to help you protect him."
Sasuke's fist clenched, his fingernails digging into his palm. "He's behind enemy lines."
"What?" Sakura's surprise was evident. "How?"
"He snuck out the damn bathroom window when the fighting started. And he was snatched before we were able to catch up with him."
"Maybe I should report this to Tsunade," Sakura said, half prepared to turn on the spot.
"No. I could smell blood at the scene. When we find Naruto he's going to need medical attention."
Sakura nodded, her face reflecting her worry.
Silence fell over the four sixteen year olds as they reached the roof of the last house and watched the enemy shinobi rally and form into organized groups. Instead of leaving the enemy stayed at their rally points. Waiting for something,
Sasuke scanned the area outside the village, furiously searching for a spark of orange among the confusion. "I can't see him. Can any of you?"
The other three shook their heads. "Where's that damn Neji when you need him," Sasuke growled.
"Why do you need Neji when you have the two best trackers in Konoha?" Kiba said.
Sasuke whirled on him. "You can track Naruto?
"Of course. Akamaru and I can smell his ramen breath a mile away."
Sasuke barely held himself back from snarling at the brunette. "Then what are you waiting for?"