"They're what." Sanjirou grit his teeth, "What the heck is your problem, you're running away from your home and you decide not to tell us? Are you crazy!"
Himeko huffed, looking away. She made a face and Kakashi sighed heavily, looking round over at the pair. The green haired man tensed and took out a kunai, but Sunomaru put his arm in front of him, halting him from doing anything else.
"So what are you doing with Himeko?" he demanded, glaring at the slab of rock they were hiding behind. Kakashi slowly stood up, holding up his hands apologetically in front of him.
"We're Shinobi from the Leaf village, and we were protecting her from you. She told us they were chasing you all around trying to capture her."
"Well part of it's right!" Himeko added huffily, and the green haired man snarled.
"YEAH, eight weeks! EIGHT WEEKS!" he cried out, pointing at Himeko, who flinched angrily, looking over at him, "I can't believe you, you selfish little-"
"Quiet, Eriyomo." Sunomaru snapped, "But we have Himeko-sama now. She can return with us."
"No way!" Himeko got to her feet, glaring, "I hate living there!"
"What?" Sanjirou stood, glaring at Himeko, "You're a princess, aren't you? Surely your life isn't terrible!"
"It's not." Eriyomo snarled, "She gets whatever she asks for! Animals, rare food, more friends! Whatever she asks, she gets!"
Kakashi glared at Himeko, "So? Why is it so bad?"
"Well, for one my father gives me so much work!" she snapped, looking round at them. The two armoured men walked towards them now, Eriyomo having sheathed his kunai, and she continued whining about pathetic things, such as 'waking up early' and 'not enough time to do everything'. Kakashi narrowed his eye, covering the Sharingan with his headband.
"And it's so cold here!" she added angrily, and she snapped her head round at Kakashi suddenly, "I'd rather return to wherever he lives! Please, Kakashi-kun! It would be fun!"
"I don't think so." Kakashi shook his head, "As a princess, you have duties. What are you princess of, anyway?"
"Her father is the leader of a village." Sunomaru answered for her, "He and Himeko are related to the founders. She's just too spoiled and demands she be called a princess. She's really just the heir to leadership."
"Why so many guards, then?" Kakashi wondered. Sunomaru sighed.
"The village is kinda big, and wanted by other villages. Her dad's protective and loves her." he shrugged, putting his hands on his hips, "So he has five guards for her in total."
"The other two are back at the village, then?" Sanjirou sighed, but then gasped, "But Kotori! And-and Guy! They're with Anko and Iruka, and you're missing one of your team!"
"Shit, they don't know yet!" Eriyomo yelled, "We have to find them. She's the smart one of our group, not really made for fighting."
"Fighting is what Kotori and Guy do best." Kakashi sighed, "Especially Taijutsu."
"Well she's screwed." Eriyomo frowned, "We need to find them."
"Sanjirou, you go with Eriyomo, Sunomaru and I will stay with Himeko…"
"Can we take her back to the village?" Sunomaru requested, "I want her safe and sound."
"Right." Kakashi nodded, "How far is it?"
"Just a few hours." Sunomaru answered, "We should get going now. It's getting dark."
Himeko snorted, taking Kakashi's arm. He glanced at her at the corner of his eye, looking almost angry or perhaps disgusted at her, and he shifted away from her, looking at Sunomaru.
"Lead the way." he said flatly, "Himeko, go between us."
"Hmph!"
Eriyomo and Sanjirou jumped off, snorting.
"If we head where I was with your group, then follow their footsteps to where they went, hopefully there'll be something we can go by." the bodyguard stated, glaring ahead, "I hope Yūgure is okay."
"…" Sanjirou said nothing, not feeling too confident about his friend. H also seemed more serious than before, obviously more concerned about this Yūgure woman. Was there something between them? That led Sanjirou's thoughts to drift onto Aiko. Dear Aiko… He hadn't spoken to her in a while. Frowning, he knew he'd need to speak to his mother again about visiting her. But he was brought back to his senses when Eriyomo gasped angrily, and he looked round.
"What?"
"Down there! At the bottom of the mountain!" he pointed, skidding down through the snow easily. Sanjirou looked down to see what he had seen, but couldn't see much. He jumped after Eriyomo either way, tripping a little when he reached the bottom. The man was crouching beside someone and Sanjirou ran over, looking down past the hole that was created. Darkness below. He then looked at Eriyomo, who was turning someone over and frowned when he saw a woman. She was unconscious.
"Is she breathing?" he asked softly, walking over and crouched next to them. Eriyomo put his ear to the woman's mouth, listening carefully and his frown deepened. Putting his fingers to her neck, looking for a pulse, he glanced up at Sanjirou, then looked back down at Yūgure.
"Barely." he sighed in relief. Sanjirou hesitated, then looked round, making a face.
"Where're the others…" he mumbled and Eriyomo looked at him, then at the hole. Sanjirou followed his gaze, narrowing his eyes a little.
"Should we go down?" he asked. Eriyomo twitched a little, slowly picking up Yūgure.
"I won't be." he answered back, "I have to take Yūgure somewhere safe so she can get better. She's barely breathing as it is."
"Right, go on then." Sanjirou nodded, "I'll take it from here."
Eriyomo nodded and ran off with her in his arms, disappearing into the snow. Sanjirou took in a deep breath before jumping down into the blackness.
"Guy, are you sure you know where you're going?" Anko asked, frowning and Guy snapped his head round angrily as they ran, shaking his fist at her.
"Shut up, of course I do!" he cried out, "I just…"
"You're just a little lost." Kotori deadpanned, glaring. Guy finally skidded to a halt and they all did, frowning at Guy and he sighed, looking round.
"It's still dark…" he mumbled, "We must have been running for hours! I didn't even notice!"
"Guy, shut up with your stupid youthfulness!" Anko yelled, "We're lost in a god damn cave!"
As the pair argued, Kotori sighed and put her hands on her waist, looking round. From what she could see, Iruka didn't seem out of breath, but he was looking at the wall sadly, his fists clenched. She raised an eyebrow before putting on a small smile and a hand on his shoulder, making him jump and look round.
"You alright?"
"Yeah." he nodded, glancing at her hand, then back at her face, "Just tired…"
"Can't blame you." Kotori laughed a little, then looked at Guy and Anko, "Hey guys, we really need to get to the surface soon."
"I know that!" Guy frowned, before closing his eyes and putting a hand to his chin in thought, "We can just bust through the ceiling of the caves."
"Do you know how thick that earth is?" Anko argued, "We should keep going."
"…" Kotori glanced at Iruka, then looked back at them, "Come on. Anko's right, let's keep running."
Nodding, the group continued down their path at a quick speed, not knowing what was happening above them.
Kakashi, Himeko and Sunomaru had been running for a long time. Eventually, as it became darker, Himeko was carried by Sunomaru, despite asking Kakashi. Kakashi seemed less inclined to entertain her, keeping his eye ahead.
"How far?"
"We'll be able to see it in the distance any time soon." Sunomaru answered, watching ahead and Himeko clung to his shoulder pads angrily, glaring at him, "And don't give me that look, Himeko. Your father's been worried sick, literally."
"He got sick?" Kakashi asked, "From worrying?"
"Yes. He's been waiting outside all the time to see her returning, and he's been staying up all night in case she returns in the night…"
His tone made Kakashi think he was trying to make Himeko feel guilty, but the young woman seemed stubborn.
"There." Sunomaru glared, running faster. Kakashi nodded, staring. The gates standing tall at the entrance read 'welcome', and the village itself seemed large. Many people were walking around the streets inside, and almost as soon as they entered people gathered around them, congratulating Sunomaru on getting the princess, welcoming Himeko and even welcoming Kakashi to the village. They all seemed very friendly, despite the cold weather.
"I'll take Himeko to her father." he said, holding onto her tightly in case she decided to run off, "Kakashi, you can ask around to get help."
"I'd rather go back to find my friends." he said, looking at him. The bald man nodded, smirking a little before running through the snow towards the back of the village, and when they disappeared, Kakashi sighed, looking around. Everyone seemed very eager to help him, and he sighed a little before giving in. His muscles were aching and he knew he shouldn't run about by himself after using his Sharingan so much. He followed one of the civilians to a small hospital, although it was more likely a health clinic from the size.
"Come on, guuuys!" Guy whined, "Let's just bust through the roof already, it'll be easier! Let's do it, come oooon!"
"ALRIGHT, alright!" Kotori growled, rubbing her temples, "We'll bust through here, but if we break anyone's floors, your dead!"
"Please, we're out in the middle of a snowy forest!" Guy waved a hand in her face, "Trust me, Kotori! The Sublime Green Beast of Prey never messes up!"
"What a lie." Anko muttered grudgingly, and Guy snorted angrily, ignoring her.
"Stand back!" he yelled, stretching his arm out. The three quickly stepped back as Guy said. Despite being a, well, idiot, Guy was definitely powerful and they needed to keep watch for flying rock.
"HERE WE GO!" Guy cried out happily.
Himeko grunted as she stepped inside. Someone looked round, gasping and ran towards her. She had long black hair layered over her forehead, blue eyes glistening, along with purple lips.
"Himeko! You're back! Thank god!" she said, grabbing her by the shoulders, "I was so worried! And your father, oh goodness your father, he's so ill…"
"Is he not any better?"
"He's worse." she said sadly, looking at Sunomaru and the bald man sighed, looking down. Nodding, he walked through the halls, disappearing round the corner and Himeko batted the woman's hands away. The woman glared, clenching her fists.
"… Himeko." she put on a smile, "Come with me, I'll help your leg."
"My leg?" she blinked, but nodded, "Right. That leaf ninja didn't do much."
"Heh." the woman nodded, walking through the hall, making sure Himeko was in front of her at all times. As they walked through a screen door, the woman closed it behind her and smiled a little to herself, looking round.
"Tch, it's so dark and cold in here, Haniruku." Himeko glared, "Light a few candles."
"I will soon." Haniruku glared, "But first, let's have a look at that wound on your neck…"
"What? What wound?" she turned, glaring.
"THIS ONE!" the woman snarled, running at Himeko, flipping a kunai from her kimono's sleeve. Himeko gasped, wincing when someone grabbed her from behind, wrapping their arms around her waist and pinning her arms against her body. The woman grinned, hair flying behind her as she aimed the kunai for the princess' neck. It all went by so quickly, and Himeko yelled in surprise, anguish and general confusion as someone burst straight through the ground! The smashed right between Himeko and Haniruku, forcing Haniruku to leap back to dodge shards of wood and rock flying in their face. Himeko was dragged back by the man holding her and Guy burst through, spinning on his foot before landing.
"HAHA! I told you I'd get through, Anko!" he yelled confidently, giving her a thumbs up. Anko popped her head up through the large hole and twitched, her face contorting to one of anger when she noticed where they were.
"YOU IDIOT, THIS IS SOMEONE'S HOUSE!" she yelled, smacking Guy over the head. The older man cried out and held the bump while Kotori and Iruka jumped out. Kotori snapped her head round, eyes widening at the sight of Himeko being held by someone.
"Damn, they got you?" she cried out, "Himeko, where's Kakashi! And Sanjirou?"
"They're out there somewhere!" Himeko cried, yelling in pain as the man gripped tighter to stop her from talking, and she snarled, glaring at Kotori, "They're keeping me hostage! IN MY OWN HOME!"
"This is your house?" Guy demanded, "Why do you live all the way out in the forest?"
"You idiot, this is a village!" Haniruku snarled, "Now get out of my way so I can get to that stupid girl!"
"I'M NOT A GIRL!"
"Not in your life!" Anko yelled, jumping on front of the woman, Iruka gritting his teeth before joining her.
"We'll protect this princess with our life!" he added and Anko smirked at him. Kotori snarled, taking out one of her last kunai. Guy got into a stance and the woman snorted.
"Fine, if you get in my way, we can just run off and kill her somewhere else!" the woman snarled, "Take her outside!"
The man nodded, moving and slammed through a wall, jumping through the snow with a screaming Himeko.
"HEY!" Kotori yelled, "Guy, go after him, we'll deal with her!"
"Of course!" Guy nodded and ran off, following the two. Kotori glared at the woman and she snarled, stepping to the side.
"Himeko! Haniruku, what's going on?" Sunomaru yelled, running in. Kotori gasped.
"You! What have you done to Sanjirou and Kakashi?"
"What, you don't know?" the man demanded, "We're on your side, there was a mix up! We're Himeko's bodyguards, and we thought you were kidnapping her! … Where's the green jumpsuit guy?"
"He took off with Himeko!" the woman suddenly yelled, pointing, "They were here, trying to take me out! Thank god you arrived in time! Oyama went after them, but we need to take them out!"
"YOU LIAR!" Kotori snarled, "Look, baldy, that Oyama guy had Himeko in his arms! He took her off through that wall, and we came through the ground by accident trying to get out of a tunnel! She was going to kill Himeko!"
Sunomaru hesitated, looking at his partner, then back at Kotori. He knew he could trust Kakashi, and Kakashi was definitely with them. He glanced at her fellow bodyguard again, narrowing his eyes. He had never quite trusted her, but she was hired for a reason. He clenched his fists, looking angrily, but looked back ahead.
"… You're Kotori, right?" he asked, and Haniruku glared angrily.
"What are you doing? Don't have a conversation with them! Go after Himeko, I can deal with these guys!"
"NO!" he snarled, jumping away from her, "Kotori, get you and your friends after Oyama and Himeko. Oyama is strong, and he has an updated chakra armour."
"Chakra armour?"
"We all have one." Sunomaru glared, "Come on, go! I can deal with her!"
"… Sunomaru." Haniruku snarled, clinging to her kunai, "I'll take you out, then take over the village, then!"
"Is that why I can't find Himeko's father?" he demanded as the three Konoha Shinobi jumped away, "What did you do with him!"
"…" Haniruku snickered, raising her kunai, "Perhaps if you fight me, you can find out for yourself."
"You bitch!" he yelled, taking out two fans and stretched them out, sending an eruption of wind her way.
"Where did they go?" Kotori snarled, clenching her fists, "Guy usually leaves destruction whenever he goes so we can follow!"
"Maybe he didn't get a chance to fight." Iruka suggested, looking at them. Anko glanced at him, nodding and looked back ahead, glaring.
"Where the heck is he?" they looked around, leaping along the snowy roofs. Iruka gasped as he slipped on a sloped edge, sliding down and let out a loud 'oomph' when he found himself being caught. He looked up, frowning when he met Kakashi face to face, and Kakashi raised an eyebrow before looking up. Kotori and Anko dived down, landing beside him.
"KAKASHI!" Kotori grinned, grabbing onto his arm happily, "I thought… I didn't know what I thought! Where's Sanjirou?"
"He's not with you?" Kakashi blinked, letting Iruka to his feet.
"Uh… No? He's not with you?" Kotori stared.
"He went after you." Kakashi furrowed his brow, "Where's Guy?"
"Two of the bodyguards are traitors. They took Himeko."
"What?" Kakashi glared, "We need to get them."
"Right. … But what about-"
"Sanjirou will be fine, Kotori. Come on!"
Nodding, Kotori shot off after Kakashi, Iruka and Anko keeping close. Kotori frowned, having a very bad feeling rumbling in her stomach.
Or maybe she was hungry.