Chapter 67: Clarity

Sitting across from Itachi and Shisui at the dining table, Angel and I anxiously eyed each other. We spent a few hours prior to this moment, perfecting the synchronization jutsu and were happy with ourselves. Now all we needed was to actually incorporate our chakras. It took us a the whole week to get to this point. We would speak to the boys now, then after - the Hokage. Even though they already supported us becoming one again, it was great practice before the real visit with our village leader.

"So..." Shisui was looking back and forth between Angel and I, "...did you two have something to say...?" We had been sitting in silence for a few minutes.

Angel blushed, "oh, yes!" She shifted to get more comfortable. "As you know Shikara and I have been tirelessly working towards our goals..."

"That's an understatement." I muttered under my breath.

Angel eyed me before continuing, "we are ready to perform the synchronization jutsu... with yours and the Hokage's approval, of course."

Itachi and Shisui glanced at one-another before turning their attention back to us. Itachi didn't seem all that pleased, even though he pushed me to agree to this decision. "You're sure you can do it?"

"Yes." Angel and I said confidently.

"And you're just seeking approval?" Shisui asked.

"Uh-huh." Angel responded, I gave a nod. Both of us appeared sure of ourselves, honestly felt that way but for whatever reason our men seemed a little weary.

My eyebrows creased in curiosity. "What's going on? Are you two going back on what you wanted us to do?"

Shisui blinked in confusion. "Do you not want this as well?"

"I want this." Angel said.

I looked to her, then back at each of the boys who were waiting for my response. "To help Itachi-sama, I do."

Shisui gave Itachi a curious expression. "What does that mean?"

The corner of Itachi's mouth slightly turned upwards. "I told Shikara that I would allow her to take care of my illness if she agreed to becoming one again."

Shisui's expression fell flat. "A bribe...?" Itachi smirked and Shisui turned back to me. "Do you want this?" His eyes were staring into my soul, demanding an honest response.

I blinked and peered at Angel who anxiously waited for me to answer. There were many personal issues that I haven't overcome yet. Like how the village would view us once I was one with myself again. Two men sharing a wife...how will that affect our efforts in gaining Itachi and Shisui respect from our fellow villagers? So far we've made headway. In fact Shisui has gained the most love and respect out of the two due to his efforts as a Sensei. He's actually adored by most and the trust he's built has gone leaps and bounds. Itachi has also made progress. People don't turn and run from him at least. Ever since he had a run-in with Naruto and settled things there, Itachi has been viewed as less of a threat. The kid has even convinced Itachi to train with him from time to time to help Naruto learn to break away from powerful genjutsu. It drew in crowds of fellow ninja who also wished to learn. They have grown to respect Itachi because of this.

My eyes dropped to my lap in thought. Am I worrying too much about how we're viewed by our peers? Or will I ruin everything we've all been working towards?

"Shikara?" Angel gently snapped me out of my thoughts.

I looked up and blinked away the slight daze. "Ah...sorry. It's what we've agreed upon. I have no intention of turning back." I said this with confidence, however concern resonated deeply in my mind.

Shisui's eyebrows creased and he let out a small sigh. "That...doesn't answer the question."

I smiled sweetly, closing my eyes to hide my worries. "I want to be one again...Shisui-sama." It's best to keep my doubts to myself.

"So what do you say?" Angel excitedly asked the boys. She was clearly relieved by my response.

Shisui looked to Itachi who was watching me like a hawk. "What do you think?"

Itachi blinked and crossed his arms. "If they're certain."

It caused nervousness to well up as everyone watched me. I don't know why I had to be in the spotlight. I stood and looked to Angel. "It's time."

Her eyes lit up. "To speak with the Hokage!?"

I gave a nod. "Once we've received permission, we can complete the jutsu when Itachi-sama and I have returned from our mission." The mission was in two days. We've allowed ourselves and our team plenty of time to prepare. To be honest I was extremely excited for it.

...

She's doing it again. Hiding her true thoughts and dodging questions.

Angel stood and prepared to leave with Shikara. "Let's hurry before it's too late!"

"Hold it."

Angel turned to Itachi's voice while Shikara paused with her back to everyone, facing the door.

"Are you sure there aren't any doubts about what you plan to do?" He sounded calm as usual but the hint of demand for the truth still rang in his tone.

Shikara turned slowly and made eye contact. She was expressionless which tells him something truly was bothering her. Then she gave him the sweetest smile. He loves that smile.

"I can't get anything past you, can I?"

He couldn't help but to return his own soft grin. "Do you care to explain?"

She walked over to him and sat to his side. Her eyes dropped to her lap. "I hoped to brush off my insecurities... you and Shisui-sama make it difficult for me to simply ignore them."

"What concerns you?"

"I'm still strained by what may become of our image when I become one again." Itachi gently brought her head up, he preferred her to speak to him with confidence.

"You're worried about our image?"

"Yes. You and Shisui have worked so hard and many have grown to respect and trust you. I'm afraid when I become one, it will have the opposite effect." She took his hand from her chin and brought it down to rest on her lap. "You and Shisui deserve to live here in the village in peace. I don't wish to ruin it with my selfishness."

"You're still only thinking of others without questioning what they may think themselves." He glanced at Shisui. "You remind me of someone."

Shisui chuckled placing a hand behind his head. "C'mon, I'm not that bad."

Angel's eyes narrowed. "You're worse." A look of sheer defeat came across Shisui and Angel giggled.

"Alright..." Shikara sighed, "so in a sense...I'm being selfish by not truly listening to the people directly involved?"

Itachi smirked.

...

Silly question. I sighed and gave a smile. "Will you and Shisui be happy once Angel and I have become one, despite what others may think?"

He poked my forehead and I blushed.

"Yes." The boys said in unison.

"Okay..." I brushed most of my worries away with this response. If they were okay with it, then I would be too. I stood and walked towards the door before sending the boys a smile. "We're off."

"Good luck." Shisui said.

"We'll be back!" Angel sounded excited as she followed me out.

...

We knelt before the Hokage, nervousness filled our senses. Lady Tsunade was looking upon us with deep curiosity. It was finally time to ask her for permission and discuss the Tenshi Scroll.

"You've requested an audience with me. Have you finished studying the scroll?"

Angel glanced to me and I gave a nod in response to the Hokage. "Yes, we've completed reading the scroll, my lady."

Her fingers intertwined and her eyes narrowed. "And...what have you found?"

"Lady Tsunade..." Angel began, her head bowed, "...Shikara and I have read within this scroll our clan's history, the explanation of light and dark chakras and found jutsus that complement each one." Angel peered up at the Hokage. "We were able to study the ones that we could use which would help us further our fields of expertise."

A light smile spread over the Hokage's lips. "This is good news." She blinked away some of her confusion. "I see you've brought the scroll with you...is there a reason for this?"

I carefully placed the scroll before me and bowed my head. "Angel and I found jutsus better left forgotten."

Lady Tsunade's eyebrows creased. "Jutsus which you believe to be forbidden?"

"Yes." My voice was a soft whisper as I looked up to gaze at the Hokage. "Two we've already witnessed. One being the Guardian Summoning jutsu. This is how Shisui-sama is alive."

"I see. Is the jutsu reversible?" Tsunade asked.

Angel's eyes widened in worry. "Lady Hokage?" Her voice was filled with fear.

Lady Tsunade blinked in realization. "No need to fret, I ask in curiosity, not to concern you. I won't ask you to reverse it, even if there is a way."

Angel took a slow, deep breath and seemed to calm down a little. "The jutsu is reversible in two ways. I could dismiss Shisui, or I would have to die. The jutsu to call him to the living is a once in a lifetime jutsu."

Lady Tsunade's eyes widened. "Only once in a lifetime?"

Angel nodded sadly. "As long as he wishes to stay or as long as I live, he is bound by the jutsu."

"I see." Her eyes fell upon me. "And the other jutsu?"

"The Doppelgänger jutsu. When done correctly one person splits into two exact forms of oneself. It's also reversible through the Resynchronization jutsu."

"I see. And it seems that you've found others as well?"

"Yes." I was calm but this was the moment we have been preparing for. "There are several SSS-Class jutsus within the scroll, or god-level jutsus." I watched Tsunade's expression change to pure curiosity before continuing. "That brings us back to why we would like to speak with you."

Tsunade's eyebrow raised. "Oh?"

Angel took over. "We would like to discuss with you about the resynchronization jutsu, to gain your permission to use it and become one again."

Her eyes widened. "You've decided upon this?"

We nodded.

She sighed. "I see...I've told you before that you were banned from leaving this village until you became one. Then when you decided to remain separate, I accommodated for your wishes."

"We're very grateful for you, my lady." I said earnestly, bowing my head.

Angel also bowed her head. "Thank you for everything you've done..."

Lady Tsunade paused for a moment, still in thought. She brought her hands down to rest on her desk before speaking. "I will grant you to reverse your jutsu, however you will be under supervision by myself and several of my close subordinates."

Angel and I looked up, both of us had light smiles. "Thank you!" We said in unison.

Tsunade gave a light smile. "I want you two to really think this through before you continue forth with your plans. Once you've become one I will not allow you to split a second time."

Angel and I glanced at one-another and our smiles became more prominent. Our eyes met the Hokage's again. "We're certain, Lady Tsunade." I said confidently.

"Alright...when do you plan to use this jutsu?"

"We wish to perform the jutsu when Itachi-sama and I have returned from our mission."

Angel gave an excited nod.

"I see...so in a week's time..." Lady Hokage was in deep thought again. "I will prepare my subordinates for your return."

Angel and I bowed our heads again respectfully. "Thank you, my lady."

"As for your scroll...normally I would have it locked away with all other forbidden scrolls, however no one can read it aside from you...and you've read it thoroughly, I'm sure."

"Ah...yes...my lady..." I replied nervously.

She chuckled. "You may keep your scroll, however any usage of a forbidden jutsu will result in severe punishment." Her eyes narrowed in warning. "Heed my words. I cannot allow to let any more slide."

"Yes, Lady Hokage!" We replied.

"Good. You're dismissed."

It was a relief to keep the scroll. I'm sure Angel would have felt as remorseful as I about being dishonest if it had gone a different way. Lady Tsunade has been more than good to us since our arrival. Risking that trust would have been unforgivable, however as the last of the Tenshi clan it is our duty to protect it's secrets.

Chapter 68: Mission Gone Wild

Two more days passed. Itachi and I were preparing to meet with our team. Our mission is to go to the Wind country to meet someone for details before taking out an SS-class criminal who has somehow made a living by selling people off as human ninja tools. It's a secret mission requested upon us through the Hokage who has been in contact with the Kazekage's council. The country is still under high security as the Kazegake (who the Akatsuki previously kidnapped) makes a full recovery. Our allied nations are now working more closely together to minimize the criminal activities within' the two. That's where we come in. As our first mission, this one was to be particularly easy for us to accomplish. It's to be a test run for our team. Once we successfully accomplish this mission, word would get out and hopefully start enticing surrounding countries to use our services.

We met in private with one of the council members, Kankuro, he said his name is. He gave us the details we needed to get started. "This is where Ojiro was spotted last." Kankuro pointed to the map. It was near the border of the Wind and River countries. "There's a port near here where he can easily transport the so-called tools and disperse them from country to country." He eyed Itachi and I. "Do you think you can handle this?"

Behind my mask I smirked. "With our team of experts we should be able to handle."

"Hm." Kankuro sat back on his heels. "One thing you should know...this guy specializes with memory loss jutsu. He can also brainwash his apponents." His eyes narrowed. "If you're caught in his jutsu, that's it, you'll be turned into one of his puppets."

That's a bad joke coming from this guy. Itachi stood and faced our team who were keeping watch over this meeting from the sidelines. "We head out immediately."

"Yes captain!" Five replied. It seems that Katsuo still had reservations ever since Itachi made his threat.

I stood as well and eyed Kankuro. "We will make contact with you soon."

"Yeah. Good luck."

It took us a few hours to get to the port. We had to remain anonymous while we scouted. Three of our team members split off with Itachi to check the southern area, while my team went to the north. We would make contact through radio with our findings and go from there.

Nightfall was upon us and most of the workers around the port have gone home. We received information about a building in the area that may hold what we seek. The small radio sounded off in my earbud.

It was Katsuo's voice. "The perimeter around the wear house is clear."

"Good. S5 and S6, take your positions." I gave my order.

"On it." Came the Akimichi - S5.

"I'm already here, C2" A soft womanly voice responded - S6."

"S4, keep your eyes peeled. We're going in."

"Yeah, yeah." He replied carelessly.

I sighed to myself. Katsuo...you dick... I placed my fingers under the frame of a small window and carefully pulled it up without making noise and slipped inside, landing upon a narrow metallic walkway. I leaned over the guardrail and scoped the floor below. The wear house is full of different shapes and sizes of crates. There were three workers that I could see, scattered throughout the building. They were examining and marking off the crates and moving on to the next. "I'm in position, three in counting. One to the north, one to the east and one to the south."

"I'm in." S6 reported quietly. "I'll take care of the south and east."

"I've taken care of the north." S5 said, sounding proud. He should be. For a big guy he's skillfully quick and silent.

"Good job, S5. Check the crates over there for the live weapons."

"On it." Of course he was. We trained for this. He didn't need much guidance.

S6 came back on the earbud. "South and East are asleep." I barely saw her take the eastern worker out. She, too is admirable in skill. They made me proud to have picked them.

"I'm on my way down. I'll check the southern crates. S6, you know what to do." I jumped down and quickly started to scan the large crates for any people who were about to be shipped. We had an hour before the boat came in and we had to work quickly.

"Nothing so far in the north."

"Check the western side."

"On it."

I came across crates which have live animals but so far no people. It's strange. This is the location we were tipped off to look. I kept scanning and checking.

"Nothing in the eastern side."

What the hell?

"C2, this is S4, there are two scopes approaching. Get out now!"

Damn it! We don't have time... "S5 and S6, retreat."

"On it."

"Yes, C2."

I kept quickly scanning the crates as I heard the large, heavy main door opening. They're ahead of schedule...

I took cover behind a large crate with a huge white drape over it. I placed a hand on the corner and felt a metal bar underneath the cloth. My eyes widened, realizing that underneath this drape is a huge cage. I lifted the fabric and sighed.

No shit...

I peered in and saw several humanoid figures fast asleep. They were all probably tranquillized for transport. Most were young adults like myself but there were a couple who seemed very young. I felt like I was going to be sick.

These bastards...to sell off kids...

My teeth clenched as I lowered the drape and quickly made my escape towards the northern part of the wear house. I had to regroup with my team and report my findings to Itachi. Once I was outside I radioed in. "Team Shi, regroup."

"On it."

"Yes, C2."

"I'm up top."

We all met on the rafters of the building and I eyed Katsuo who seemed smug. "Didn't find anything, did you? You should have sent me in." He said, crossing his arms."

"Silence, S4." I said, kneeling down to scan the area again for any more activity.

"Hmpf." He scoffed in response.

"C1, I have a report." I spoke into the radio after switching frequencies.

It took several seconds before Itachi responded. "Go ahead."

"Live weapons found. "Three unconscious enemies, two scopes showed to retrieve crate. Awaiting approval to press forward."

"Hold off, C2."

Damn, we're so close. Why wait? Part of the mission is to rescue the live weapons and make sure they're in good hands to be returned to their families or send them to specialists to help them recuperate.

"Keep an eye on the LWs (live weapons) and where they are taken." Itachi ordered.

"Alright." I turned my head to my peers. "We must stand down for now and keep tabs on the crate with a white drape hiding the contents."

S5 and S6 gave a nod while S4 appeared to become impatient. "Why are we waiting? You found them, right?"

"Those are our orders from C1. We will await further detail."

Katsuo approached me. "You're the C2, you make the orders for our team."

I sighed and turned my attention to the ship which was slowly making it's way up the canal. "We wait. C1 may have found our target. The target is our first priority." I looked towards Katsuo again. "C1 is superior in ranking, we are all to follow his orders."

Katsuo scoffed again. "Fine but I hope you make the right choice if that boat leaves."

"S4...respect our captain...or I'll help you." The Akimichi said in a low, threatening voice. I'm glad to have his support but this was no time for a team squabble.

Katsuo sneered. "I respect those who earn it."

"I back S5," said S6. She was tired of Katsuo being a dick as well.

I sighed to myself. "Thanks for the support, however now is not the time. We are a team, we work as one." I peered to each of my team members. "I'm very proud of all of you and how everyone has handled so far, let's keep going as Team Shi, okay?" They all seemed to relax and then surprisingly all three gave a nod. "Alright. S4, make sure to take note of every detail on the companies involved with the boat."

"Alright, C2..."

I smiled under the wolf mask before continuing my instruction. "S6, I need you to get a count on how many crew members are on that boat, report back to me when you've got it. You will accompany S4. Stay afar and out of sight."

"Yes, C2."

The pair disappeared and I turned to S5. "I need you to keep watch up here this time."

"As you wish, captain."

"Thank you." It was nice to have my team member show his trust.

"Yeah..." he turned his attention down below and knelt for more coverage. "...they seem to be making their move."

The cage was being rolled towards the docks, along with several other unmarked crates. I sighed. It didn't seem that any of the companies affiliated with this transport boat were dull enough to leave their mark. With any luck, we could get a hold of the invoice.

"C2..." Katsuo's voice quietly came over the radio.

"Yes, S4?"

"We have made contact with the transport boat."

What!? "You aren't to make contact with the boat, abort your positions and gather intel from afar!" I hissed.

"Already on. We will proceed to gain intel from our current positions."

S6 came on, "I'm sorry, C2, I couldn't stop him..."

Damn it! I switched frequencies again. "Reporting to C1..."

No response.

"C1, please respond."

Silence.

I peered up at S5 in thought. He seemed tense before speaking. "What do we do, captain?"

I looked down to the docking boat. "It seems our team has gone rogue...we will complete our portion of the mission then immediately set out to find Team Ita."

S5 sighed. "Alright. What's the plan?"

The truth is...there is no plan now. We weren't to step foot on the boat. We were supposed to secure the cargo while Team Ita took out the ring leader before the cargo could be boarded upon the ship. The boat is now fully docked and being prepared for loading.

Three more people appeared to be coming off the boat, two body guards and Ojiro, the target. From where we were, I could see five crew members filing out to take control of the cargo.

Damn...Ojiro isn't where we thought he would be. He was supposedly supposed to be at an abandoned building downstream. Itachi's team was to take him out there. So where is Team Ita?

"Captain?" S5 called me out of my thoughts. "The plan?"

I clicked on my radio. "S4 and S6?"

Silence. I waited a moment before knowing there wouldn't be a response. I looked up to S5. "We take out the target." I peered down. Ojiro and his lackeys were making final preparations as the cargo was being loaded. "I need you to take out his subordinates. I'll focus on Ojiro." My eyes narrowed. "We must do this without fail."

"Understood, C2."

"Good. Surprise formation."

"Without the other two?" He asked.

"We deal with what we have."

Suddenly a large explosion came from the boat. A huge plum rose from it's left side. Ojiro sent a body guard to the boat while the two wear house workers were slaughtered by the second body guard.

What the hell? I thought before making the decision to act while there was a distraction from below. "Let's go, now!"

"Right!" S5 took a stance and made hand signs. "Human Barrage!" He yelled, before his body expanded and became a deadly spinning ball of mass.

He dove down towards the enemy and I followed in his wake. Ojiro dodged S5's attack but the body guard was caught in the deadly ball of fury. In the surprise attack, Ojiro hadn't noticed me tailing the Akimichi and I lunged at him, sword ready to pierce his throat.

He barely stopped the attack with his own sword and chuckled. "Not bad, I've seen better, though."

Was he speaking of Itachi and his team? I leapt back and then charged for another attack. Ojiro deflected it and came back with his own attack. I blocked and struggled against him. He's strong, there's no doubt about that and he matches my speed with ease. Ojiro then forced me back and just before he could create hand seals, S5 returned in his revolving form, causing Ojiro to retreat several more feet away but interrupted his process.

Thank goodness for the Akimichi... I created my own seals and clapped my hands together. "Heavenly Strike!" I called out when S5 was far enough away. A terribly loud crackling came from above before the area lit with a massive electrical current. The flashing would cause blindness and if the target was hit there would be no coming back from it. I took a defensive stance and blinked to clear my sight as the eruption defined the air around us. Even with my eyes closed for the strike, the attack caused faint blurs in the vision.

"Did you get him?" Called S5.

Ojiro was no where to be seen. "No! Stay back!"

The ground erupted from below as a familiar jutsu took form around my teammate. It's an earth-style jutsu, which traps it's enemies in a rock-hard prison sphere.

Shit!

Another earth-type attack erupted from the ground underneath me and I barely dodged the brunt of it. My leg was cut by a rock spike and I had to kneel to make a quick recovery and reassess the situation.

"C2, this is S6." She sounded strained." S4 is in combat with a powerful opponent, there are five other enemies on the boat. We're holding them down."

I was relieved to know they were okay. A total of six opponents should be quick work for them. "S5 and I are in combat with the target..." Another rock spike attack erupted from the ground and I had to dodge. "When you two are finished, secure the ship, don't let the cargo out of your sight."

"Copy that." She replied.

I quickly dodged yet another attack and tried to scan the area. This guy was good. He concealed his location flawlessly, using the flashes of my electrical attack to his advantage. I smirked to myself as I grabbed a scroll from my bag. Ojiro would soon discover that I don't like opponents who hide.

Quickly unrolling the scroll across the ground, I bit my thumb, drawing blood and slapped the seal centered on the scroll, calling out, "Demon Summoning: Blood Hound Hunters!" Honestly this is a last resort jutsu that I never planned to use, however I wasn't about to allow my comrades to be killed by this child-selling jackass. He deserved what was coming to him.

Two massive dark shadows in the form of dog-like entities erupted from the ground, clinging in their jaws each arm of Ojiro, who was screaming in fear and pain. As I thought, he was hiding below, having found an entrance to the sewage lines. That's where he belonged but I would soon send him somewhere far worse.

"Make them stop!" He begged frantically. The blood hounds were itching to rip him apart.

"Release my comrade." I commanded cooly, holding my hands up to my chest, pointer fingers touching together while the others intertwined. I was controlling the hounds through my chakra and hand seal.

"I'll do it!!!"

I smirked again as the ground sphere crumbled to reveal S5. He seemed mostly unharmed. My eyes flashed back to Ojiro. "Good boy." Sarcasm dripped from my lips.

"Release me now, I did as you wished!" He is terrified of the hounds. He should be.

"Yes and now I will release you... from this world...and send you to hell."

Ojiro's eyes widened in panic. "No, no!!!"

My eyes narrowed in a sinister stare as my pointer fingers slowly parted. "Take your sacrifice, leave his head." I commanded the hounds.

Low haunting growls erupted from the blood hounds just before they ripped Ojiro's arms from his shoulders, then continued to the rest of his body. Blood-curling screams echoed through the night and I looked on with a slight smile. The delight of punishing this piece of shit gave me more pleasure than I thought possible. I released the summoning the moment the screams stopped and slowly approached the bloody mess left behind and picked up the head of Ojiro. His eyes were still wide with the terror and pain of his sudden demise.

"What the fuck?" A male voice sounded through the air.

I looked up to see Katsuo and S6 standing side-by-side at the dock. I'm sure if I could see their expressions they would be that of shock.

"What? Are you feeling squeamish?" I calmly asked.

They approached and Katsuo spoke again. "No! I just didn't think you knew a jutsu like this!"

S5 regrouped with us. "I've never seen anything like it." he seemed a little put off.

I sighed before throwing Katsuo the head of Ojiro. "Conceal that."

"Damn it." He cursed in disgust.

"We must secure the crate and find Team Ita..."

"We're here..." the calm tone of Itachi sounded before he and the rest of his team appeared around us.

"Did you fucking see that?!" Katsuo pointed to me, speaking to Itachi. He sounded like a child, tattling on his sibling.

Itachi seemed to be eyeing the dripping head of Ojiro in Katsuo's hands. "Mission complete." He turned to the rest of his team. "Secure the LWs and then we will report to the Sand."

"Yes, C1." His three replied before leaving to secure the large cage.

Itachi turned to me. "What happened to standing down?"

My attention turned to Katsuo and S6. "It seems that our plans changed..." Their heads seemed to drop down shamefully. I turned back to Itachi. "We will have to discuss more later, I'm afraid."

He gave a slight nod. If I could see his face behind that weasel-like mask, I'm sure it would be a scowl. I knew I was in trouble. I was responsible for my team and their actions. This is not how things were to play out. Though we completed the mission successfully, it was done in a messy way. From Katsuo creating explosions on the boat, to S5 damaging the ground of the port with his jutsu, to me having my demons rip the target apart. If there had been any on-lookers, it would have been hard to decipher for who the real criminals were.

"You four will clean this up." Itachi said before turning away. He was implying the blood bath on the ground, along with any other bodies in the area.

Yep. We fucked up. I sighed quietly to myself and looked to my team. "Let's do this..."

As we quickly cleaned up the area of bodies and blood, Katsuo kept looking to me. It was getting really annoying.

"Hey, captain."

"What, S4?"

"You're not upset with me, are you?"

I paused from the cleanup and looked up at him. "I'm disappointed that you went against orders and moved on your own..."

"I did what I thought was right." He replied.

"Next time...follow my orders." I continued to scrub away the blood while S6 used a water type jutsu to rinse it away.

She was more quiet than she usually already is but eventually spoke. "Forgive me, captain. I'm at fault."

"No," I began, "this is my failure to be an assertive captain. That goes as far as who I've chosen for our rankings." We were now finished with the bloody mess and moved on to the next. "I won't fail again."

The breath caught in Katsuo's chest. If there was any hint of regret from him, I would be glad. His recklessness is out of control and needed to be reassessed. If he couldn't do that for himself, I would have to kneel before the Hokage as a failure in choosing the wrong person for the Shadow Ops.

After the area was cleared, we helped Team Ita with the LWs. It would take us some time to get them to the designated area where they would be placed in better hands. When that was done, we would make contact with Kankuro and show the head of Ojiro as proof of a successful completion of the mission. It would take us a couple of days to follow through with everything but I was glad it was nearly over.

After our meeting with Kankuro the following evening, we were now ready to return to the Leaf. My excitement grew with every step I took. I would soon be whole again...probably not without a good talking to from the first in command though... Itachi kept glancing to me from time to time. He was probably coming up with a plan on how to approach the subject. My excitement to get home was now replaced with concern. I hope he goes easy on me...if there is such a thing. Business is business in his eyes. Then suddenly we stopped in our tracks.

Flying towards us is a small messenger bird. It was coming from the direction of the village. Itachi held out his arm and carefully removed the message to read it. He became very still.

"C1?" I called to him. The mission is over but it's still proper to use code names until we were relieved of our duty.

Itachi's head turned to me. "The village was under attack..."

My eyes widened behind my mask and everyone else seemed to stop breathing.

"The village is in distress...the people need us." He quickly let the bird take flight and began to run.

I followed closely behind. Whatever we were about to face, it couldn't be good and an overwhelming feeling of worry filled my soul. If Itachi expressed any kind of concern in his tone while we wore our masks, this news is far beyond serious.