So, they made it in. Well, this wasn't too surprising nor was it that they found their place. Eyes watching carefully and callously as the...calvary(a ridiculous attempt) came to liberate and no doubt seek their own personal vengeance. Such idiots, it was so obvious, even after so long, after all these years, their eyes focus longer on May, she hadn't changed.
On in physical appearance, she'd grown quite a lot. Now looking more like a woman, than a child. It seems she's mastered her...gift. Which should have killed her, but, then again they knew she had assistance in keeping her life here. Growling lowly, stop, they couldn't let their anger cloud their clear mind, not now. They've come this far, pressing another button on their panel a video comes up on another screen, the Hyuga child. She was still under, she was nearly done, she was...their web. Soon, they would have their fly. Looking back to May and the others, they've spilt up now. A ridiculous tactic, one they saw coming. One they knew was going to happen, some would stay outside to take the heat, others would take to smaller teams to cover more ground. Such rookie moves, though it was affective...to a certain degree. Pressing another button, followed another one.
Oh, the temptation to engage was beyond hunger, but they had to remain calm. For this to all work out in their favor. Now, the strongest among their...uninvited guest. Their eyes scan and observe each screen of divided teams. Surprisingly, the parents didn't stay together. They split up no doubt from the Nara man, believing it was best, who ever would find the children first. The Nara man stayed with his 'sister' of course he would. Despite his upfront of broadness, it was clear how heavily protective he was of her and the anger burning in his dark eyes. Such a burden to carry, such a responsilibtly he took extremely. He was her anchor or was it the other way around? They weren't sure, just the two where like the shadows the Nara man made.
The teams or group set. Oh, look there was that Yamanaka female, she no doubt located the young Hyuga already. The way she was going with the told them so, she located the girl. She had back-up, she was going to have to go in and get the girl out. The struggled look on her face spoke volumes as did the determination in her focused eyes. All of them had that look, May had it the most. That hadn't changed about her, in fact it had become stronger with her family.
She, a mother. How pathetic. What a waste.
She gave herself so many more weakness now, it drew her out. It would give them their chance. Everything was ready they had to make sure, nothing could go wrong. Now, which to take out first? Making a few shadow clones send them off to each group, after so long it would be nice to test their skills further. Honing on the Uchiha, whom they felt was knew of them already. Sasuke, he's been tracking him since...well...narrowing their eyes on him. There was a score they needed to settle with him too. Moving to Naruto, there was as well, but none as greater as May and Sasuke. Those two...would buried under their feet. Eyes flashing red again, exhaling deeply. They needed to remain calm, when the time was right they would unleash their dormant rage. They would get back what they lost.
Zooming in closer to two of the groups, Sasuke and Naruto both went together. Gaara went with his sister and brother, that Yamanaka girl was their link, get rid of her first, would end connection for everyone. Then again, she had Lee with her. Anything sent their way he'd easily kick back. Not to mention Kiba was there, he'd sensed someone coming before anything could be done.
Even so, they needed her out of the way. The further they made their way in, the better they'd have for trapping them. Bringing up the screen with Hikari, their mind changed. Why send a shadow clone, when it would seem more fitting to send...no...a much better idea came.
Shikamaru managed to keep up with his sister, he had too, he had to remain her anchor right now. Her emotions running wild, wilder than Gaara's right now. He could feel them pulsating off her, like a heartbeat. Each time her foot pounded against the ground it left a dent, her anger fueled her, and her desire to see her children guided her. Yet, it clouded her mind. He saw it, even though she managed to calm her husband down, behind her eyes locked her storm. He saw it, even if she didn't want anyone else to. Ever since they were younger, he could see through any mask she put on, no matter what. It took him the first time around to see it, but after that he saw it all. He knew you wished to produce tears in the flaring fear you had, that might have happened to the children.
His father was right, his sister needed him. No matter how old she'd get. It was his job since day one, honestly he felt it was his job way before his father passed the torch. The first day they meet, at BBQ. Since then...he felt the need, to be by her side. To be there.
They make a quick right, the tunnels seem to stretch out longer, you noticed. That didn't matter, pushing harder feeling the wind sting your eyes, it was a good thing right now you couldn't produce any tears. Still, you did the gesture and wiped them away with an arm.
You wonder, if Ino located either of your children? She already stated that she couldn't pin-point Yoshi and the twins, but, Hikari she could. That was good, but...your heart still was not filled. Splitting further from Shikamaru, if he hadn't grabbed you by the wrist. Pulling you back.
"We have to stay together. Okay?" He said. Letting go of you.
Nodding, you understood. And kept your pace with his. "Brother..."your words tremble. "Brother..."
He hushes you. "It's going to be alright. Everything's going to turn out fine. Oka-May!"
You stop abruptly, coughing up harshly. Your body shook violently, if not Shikamaru who caught you, you would have fallen to your knees. He holds you until the attack stopped. He felt your whole body tense and tighten up. This wasn't good, you hadn't fully healed and you were slowly breaking down. Cursing himself unable to do anything. Except allow the attack to finish, after a few more coughs you remove your hand and see the thick crimson red liquid covering it. Though your shuddering breaths Shikamaru watched your eyes fill with fear, even as you smiled weakly.
He holds you tighter. "Brother," you force yourself to stand. "we have to keep going. Come on." Releasing yourself from his hold stagger a bit before you picked back up running.
Shikamaru follows catching up with you, your panting was becoming worse. He could see the paleness spread over you, even with your metallic skin coating you. It was there, the coloration was off. Everything was slipping fast, he knew there was a way for you to regain it back, but that would mean...leaving other defenseless and you couldn't allow that. You couldn't take back the energy you put out across the nation. The barriers you had for each village. It would replenish you, but he knew you wouldn't dare to think that way. No, you wouldn't.
Damn stubborn woman.
"Shikamaru." your voice quiet and tensed. Told him there was something or someone coming. His senses up steps before you, his arm out before you.
There was a shift he could feel, it became heavy...someone was here. Lurking. Feeling them through his shadows, there was no point in hiding. There really wasn't, you sensed them as well. Shaping your hands into blades took to the rear, someone was here...your eyes dart from left to right. Your patience fading, blades turned into the claws, trying hard to remember Tsunade's teachings and that of Master Splinter's when your own emotions flared. Shikamaru brushes up against you, to calm you. It worked and you were able to refocus.
"...There.."he whispers, pointing his pinky.
Like the predator you pounce on them unexpectedly, or you assumed, they managed to block your attack as if they expected it. They held their strength up with yours, surprisingly. It wasn't really much of a struggle, even when they threw you back. Twisting you land and set yourself straight. The second your foot touched the ground you and Shikamaru separate just in time, before their attack landed on either of you. Their fire jutsu was strong, it nearly destroyed the pathway. Whipping out a few kunais Shikamaru throws them with attached paper bombs that where quickly deflect back. One nearly scathed you. If you hadn't ducked in time, that didn't stop it form blowing up behind. Sending you flying forward. Correcting yourself, land on your hands and flip back a few feet. Honing in on them, they kept to the shadows, that was fine, your eyes could pinpoint them even they were trying to move faster than you could react. Plus, there was Shikamaru kept tabs on them, the shadows were his area.
There!
You strike, narrowly getting them. They moved and you managed to snag a piece of their cloak. If you were Kiba you would be able to tell who they were by their scent. But you weren't so your eyes would have to do. Switching your claws back to your hands, bring them together charging up energy. It fizzled for a second, deliver a powerful blast. It lite up the pathway and shook it too. Shikamaru managed to keep his balance.
The others felt it the ground shake, Gaara knew his wife just unleashed something powerful...her fury. Or at least the tip of it, the place shook again...she was engaged in battle.
"Gaara!" Temari snaps at him, he refocuses his attention just in time.
Their attacker unleashed a powerful lighting jutsu his sand covers himself and his siblings just in time, deflecting it. With a wave his hand sends bullets of sand flying back to attack. Temari leaves the sphere of protection and whips a powerful gust of bladed wind back. Pushing back the second lighting attack. Hitting their attacker.
Her fan still out, she knew this wasn't over. If they were being attack, her husband and May were being attacked then the others were too. Whipping out her fan again deflects the incoming attack. Nothing was going to stop either of them from getting through. She was going to find her nieces and nephew. And didn't matter how much spilled, she'd get her brother's children back.
Naruto and Sasuke stand over their attacker, having easily taken them out. Just to make sure Naruto kicks them lightly with the tip of his foot. They didn't move, reaching down Naruto gets ready to pull of their hood when suddenly they poof away, so it was a clone. Made sense. Still...it would have been nice to know who it was.
A hand rest on his shoulder. "Come on." Sasuke tells him. They get ready to sprint when they receive a message from Ino, via telepathically.
Guys! Everyone! I've located Hikari.
"That good," Naruto sighs relieved.
It was good news, but, Sasuke knew something wasn't right. Locating the girl that easily. Waiting for Ino to give everyone the location, he scans their area once more.
"Naruto."
"Yeah?"
Ino stare straight up at Hikari, the girl hooked up to like some sort of test subject. It horrifying, touching the glass of the tank that held her. A few tears fall down from her. The poor girl...she looked so...swallowing hard felt it become lodged in her throat.
"Hikari.."she cries, resting her head on the glass.
"Hikari! There's my girl!" Ino squeals in delight, her arms open wide scooping up the toddler and swinging her around. Hugging her close. "Auntie Ino, who is of course your favorite Auntie has a surprise for you. Are you ready?"
The little girl nods unsure, but the smile on her face said it all. Ino's eyes beamed with joy and love for young Hyuga. The adoration Hikari held in her eyes for her was beyond any feeling Ino has ever felt. It was so precious. Squeezing the girl again they both share a laugh.
Pressing her lips together, Ino push her tears back. "She's in a deep genjutsu...I'm going to have to in and get her out." She tells Kiba and Lee. They nod.
"We shall watch over you." Lee assures her. "You must bring her back, Ino. You must."
"Don't worry. I will." Her words tighten with both determination and anger. Stepping back, concentrating on Hikari's mind. Goes in, her body falls right into Lee's arms. He catches her just in time.
Lays her down. Kiba comes over with his dog. They both watch over their friend. Holding her hand, Lee squeezes it. "Neji, I shall get your child back. I promise you. She shall come back all in one piece. Your legacy shall not die."
Hikari's body crashes through the walls like a brick, tumbling until it stopped. Pain shot through her, especially from her leg. Was it broken? She couldn't tell, it just burned. Biting back her whimpering picks herself up, she had too...otherwise they would...that twisted woman...It hurt to move. Her bones screamed in agony. Where was her mother? Her real mother, she'd make this all go...away.
Standing up dragging her leg, looks at it, it was bruised rather bad. Recalling what her mother taught her and what she read...if it was this darkly colored then that meant...it was sprained. Badly. Looking around for something to wrap it with, she needed to support it. Found nothing.
"My child...were are you?"
Hikari's heart jumped sharply. She was here, she found her. Standing with a stagger, using the walls as support hurries away. Reaching a door pushes it open, when a she gets kicked square in the back. The force was strong enough to send her body flying out into the streets. Her body bounced right on her shoulder, she heard it crack. That wasn't good. Clenching tightly, hears the woman..the Dark Mother twisted laughing.
"Oh, my poor child. Shall mother fix your pain for you?" she said her lips curled darkly. Pointing her sharp blade that dripped just a bit Hikari's blood. "If you're a good girl, then I'll make it go away faster. But," her eyes cast a darkness that send shivers through the girl. "you haven't been. So, mother is going to punish you. For being a naught-"
"You're not my mother!" Hikari spits back.
"...My, such a rude child. Guess, mother is going to have to fix that too."
Before Hikari could even utter another word Dark Mother had throat in her hand, and her blade raised high and above ready to plunge. Struggling and clawing at the woman's hand to release her, Hikari tried as she could, but could not get her to release.
Tightening her grip more, digging her nails into her skin, blood slowly broke through. "You ungrateful child. You unloving child, nothing in this world cares if you live or die. You are all alone. No father. No friends. No mother. You die with nothing and it was all because of you. Your misery has become sickening. Don't worry...mother will remove it. Now die!" She plunges the blade.
"Hikari!"
Ino tackles the woman from behind and manages to throw her a bit. Catching Hikari just before she fell to the ground. The poor girl she was...she wasn't in the best condition. The bruises, the cuts...everything. Putting her ear to Hikari's chest waits for a heartbeat. Relieved to hear it, Ino rest a soft hand on her chest.
"Rest, okay?" she spoke softly. Standing taking out a kunai. "Auntie Ino has this."
A mocking laugh from the woman turned Ino around, her eyes flashed with fury hotter fire. Clenching her kunai tightly her knuckles turned white. The woman stands dusting herself off. Pointing her blade at Ino.
"How dare you interrupt a mother and her child."
"You are no mother. And you defiantly not her mother." Ino spits back standing before Hikari. "You hurt my niece, your hurt my sister's child and most of all you pissed me off."
"And what are you going to do? Hmmm?"
Ino smirks. "End you."