Okay all here's the next chapter of The Prince and The Slave. Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed and to all of you who added me to their faves and alert lists. Anywho let's get on with the chapter.
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The Prince and The Slave.
Chapter Twenty-Six.
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(Ino's P.O.V.)
Kali and I were still travelling. A storm had just started. The wind was picking up, getting rougher and I didn't have a clue what to do. Then I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around, pulling a dagger from my sleeve, ready for any attack. I could've cried with relief to see Shikamaru with Idate. I know I must've visibly relaxed. "We need to find shelter before the storm gets worse. Troublesome." Shikamaru said. I nodded, holding on to Kali's hand. The little girl looked up at us with wide eyes. Shikamaru started directing us and I could see a cave. I almost cried with relief. At least I knew Shikamaru knew where he was going.
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(Sakura's P.O.V.)
I looked out of one of the windows of the base. I was hoping that Ino and Shikamaru were okay. After all we were all friends now. After everything we'd been through, there was no way they could get caught on Ino's first mission. I could sense someone behind me and turned to look at Sasuke. "They're probably fine you know." He said. It was like he read my mind.
"There's a nasty storm." I replied.
"That's true, but Shikamaru's a genius. He'll have studied the area maps before they left. He'll know somewhere to find shelter. He's just smart like that. Don't let his lazy attitude fool you." Sasuke shot back. I couldn't help but smile. I knew despite Sasuke's brave front that he must be worried about Shikamaru too. But he was trying to make me feel better.
"You're right Sasuke. They'll be fine." I heard myself say. I guess I wanted to reassure him too.
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(Ino's P.O.V.)
We were sat in the cave sooner than I could think about it. The wind was blowing past and sand was blocking our view of the desert. However the sand didn't seem to blow in. Shikamaru had made a fire and now Idate was asleep. I had Kali sleeping next to me but I couldn't make myself sleep yet. I saw Shikamaru poking the fire with a branch. I don't even remember where the wood came from. "You should sleep Ino. We'll have to get moving as soon as the storm is over. We're not that far from the base but the storm is way too dangerous to travel in." Shikamaru said to me. I nodded and I laid down next to Kali. I couldn't help but look at Shikamaru's face in the fire light. He seemed so much wiser than I ever thought he was. His expression was the last thing I saw before my eyes shut and I fell into a dreamless sleep.
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(Pein's P.O.V.)
I was worried. So was Ibiki. Shikamaru and Ino were most likely caught out in the storm. I just hoped that they'd studied some of our maps. Deidara was sat in my office cursing. "How could you send my little sister out into a storm un? She's a kid! She barely knows how to fight and now she's in the middle of the desert!" Deidara exclaimed. I couldn't blame him for fuming. If it was Sakura out in the desert I was sure I'd be reacting the same way. However I'd probably be taking my frustrations out on poor Konan, who always seemed to bear the brunt of my foul mood. She always seemed forgiving though.
"Shikamaru did look at the maps before he left." Ibiki replied. "He's a smart kid. He's probably found somewhere for them to wait out the storm Deidara. They're both probably fine." Ibiki added.
"Probably is the key word un!" Deidara snapped at Ibiki. All we could do was wait.
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(Ino's P.O.V.)
The storm stopped the next evening. We were all hungry. Our rations were gone. But Shikamaru said that this wouldn't be a problem. I didn't have any reason to doubt that we were near the base if that was what Shikamaru said. He was a lot better with maps then I was. I held on to Kali's hand and we carried on through the desert. Hopefully we'd reach the base before we ran out of water. Idate and Shikamaru were more confident then I was. But I kept up my own show of confidence. After all, I had to make Kali believe we were going to be alright.
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(Sakura's P.O.V.)
I watched from the door of the base with Ibiki and Deidara. I couldn't help being worried about them. Pein promised that if they weren't back by morning then we'd go and look for them. I was hoping it wouldn't come to that. After all, if we had to go and look for them, then they were probably in trouble. It was midnight now. I could feel the cold of the desert night nipping at me. That was when I felt a blanket placed on my shoulders. I knew it was Sasuke. It was always Sasuke who seemed to be looking out for me. Of course my brother did too, but with Sasuke it seemed somehow different. I gave him a smile of gratitude. That was when we both spotted it. People heading straight for us on the horizon. I squinted and I made out the pineapple shape of Shikamaru's hair. I couldn't help but feel relieved. As they got closer I saw a little girl holding on to Ino's hand and a teenage boy who was the same age as us. Maybe he was a year older. I couldn't help grinning. At least they were alright. I saw Deidara jump hyperactively at the sight of Ino. He started running towards them and grabbed hold of Ino, swinging her around. She was squealing at him to stop spinning her around, but the closer they got the more I could see the smile on her face. I felt an arm around my shoulders and couldn't help placing an arm around Sasuke's waist. We'd both been worried for our friends and now we were just relieved. I couldn't help but wonder who was going out on a mission next and how dangerous that mission might be.
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Okay all that's the end of this chapter. Please R&R and let me know what you think.