AN: Well here we are. Another chapter. I'm unhappy to say that chapter 7 might take some time to post. It might take a while for two reasons. 1: It will mainly consist of one big fight scene, it will take some time to write it, and to make it good. 2: Hurricane Frances is right over me right now. Luckily the power hasn't gone out yet. But, it will sooner or later, and without power, there is no computer (duh). Sucks, that I just got hit by Hurricane Charley, which gave me the ideal to write this fic, and now we get hit by another Hurricane, just 3 weeks later. I personally think that we are God's Simcity, and he used the Disaster button more then he should have. Anyway, PLEASE REVIEW, your REVIEWS ARE WHAT KEEP ME WRITING. Otherwise, like my favorite character would say; It's just too troublesome. Oh and I didn't have a beta for this chapter, so mistakes are probably abundant. Sorry about that. Well, once again R&R!!!
Chapter 6: Captured
In an instance, the world blinked back into his eyes. In front of him were sights of something fierce. The winds were blowing through the forest at dangerous levels, and debris littered the air. Trying to stand, he realized that he was being held down by something. He looked down and found Ino, arms tightly wrapped around him.
"Ino, it seems a storm has come, we need to go home."
"Just a couple more minutes mom . . ."
Smiling at the delusions of the girl on his lap, he grabbed her shoulder and shook it vigorously.
"What the. . . I'm up!!!"
The girl bolted up, looking around in confusion. It was hard to see. It was past nightfall, and the moon was barely visible through the thick clouds overhead. They each stood completely up and took account of their surroundings. Chouji looked over at the girl.
"Wow this came out of nowhere."
"Yeah I know, We should hurry up and get home, my parents are probably worried to death."
They each began to walk out of the dense woods in which they slept. Emerging from the forest and out into the training grounds, they were slammed with gusts of winds that threatened to make the two lose their footing.
"Damn, this storm isn't normal, I can barely keep my balance." Ino stated, with a hint of fear in her voice.
Without warning, a massive gust of wind blazed through, causing several trees on the edge of the field to fall over. The gust almost made Chouji falter and fall, but it succeeded in causing Ino to crash to the ground, back first, her head snapping back and hitting the ground with a sickening thud.
"Ino!!"
The once husky boy fought his way over to the girl. Her face was contorted into a grimace. Pain was shooting through her head, and seeped its way down her neck.
"I'm okay, don't worry. Damn that gust was strong, this isn't a normal storm." The blond strained to get to her knees, and slowly climbed up to a stand. Shifting her feet to gain some balance from the dizziness she felt, she once again spoke.
"I don't thank I can take another fall like that Chouji, what do you think we should do."
He didn't have an immediate answer. They could try to fight the storm, and get home. But from the looks of things, the storm was just now beginning, the heaviest of winds still haven't shown. Maybe they could find shelter, a cave would do nicely. Whether or not a cave was nearby however, was a complete mystery.
"I don't think we can get home, its coming from the village's direction, the closer we get, the stronger the winds will become. I thought of maybe using chakra to stick to the ground. But from the look of this storm, that wont last for long. Only option is to find shelter, you know of any caves nearby?"
"Well actually, I think there is one of there. Its not very big, but it should be plenty for us two to stay in."
"Great, lets get there as fast as we can, and remember use chakra to stick to the ground, you don't want to get blown off balance again."
"Right"
Both brought their hands up, and formed a seal. They focused their chakra into their feet. Chouji nodded to Ino, signify for her to lead the way. She started running, Chouji right behind her. They were unable to go too fast, the wind of the storm threated to blow them away if they lost too much focus. Plus they had to go slow to dodge the numerous projectiles. The wind was lashing at them with a plethora of deadly items. Ino knew about an old cave. She used to come here with Sakura and the other girls when they were little. They considered it the headquarters for the "I love Sasuke" fan club. She couldn't help but to smile, that seemed like a lifetime ago.
Even through the harsh winds, they were able to make it to the cave. The hole was small, the entrance wouldn't allow more then one full grown man it at once. Looking around one final time, they knew that they found shelter just in time. The winds grew even stronger. Trees that seemed defiant were easily brushed aside by the power of the typhoon. They quickly stepped inside.
They slowly walked down the opening in the rock. It slowly gained in width allowing the couple to walk side-by-side. Nearing an opening, they could see a light flicker on the rock and heard the feint sound of conversation. Turning to each other, they knew they weren't alone in the cave.
They crept up to the opening, and crouched behind a stalagmite. They were able to see three figures hurdled around a campfire. Each were wearing brown overcoats. And they each had a village head-band wrapped around there foreheads. They didn't seem to notice the new leaf ninjas that just began to eavesdrop on their conversation.
"Where the hell is Serora and Marduk?" A man said, a village of cloud's headband adorned his forehead. But it was violently scratched, and a deep gash went horizontal through the symbol.
"How would I know?" Another responded. Also wearing a village of cloud's slashed headband.
"Who do you think they are" whispered Ino
"I guess they are just some missing-nin who are in here because of the storm."
"What should we do?"
"I don't know, lets just listen for now."
The two who previously spoke began to bicker back and forth, talking about who gets what. Chouji found nothing interesting in their conversation, until one spoke about Konoha.
"So, let me get this right Yunibi,"one of the man began, "We are going to go into the village and steal everything we can, money, scrolls, books, weapons, and everything else all during this storm?"
A tall built man, with a slashed headband from the village of stone looked at his confused subordinate. "No, we will wait until the eye of the storm is overhead. The eye will be calm, giving us the chance to easily get into the village and take everything. Understand?"
"Oh, okay thats good. Thought we would have to go through the hell that is right outside now."
Ino let out a small gasp, she heard of the plans those missing-nins had in mind. As ninjas of Konoha, there were obliged to do something about it. She turned to Chouji, hoping he was thinking the same thing, and had formed a planned. "What do we do?"
"We ca . . ." He started, but immediately was cut off.
They both found cold metal being pressed against there throats.
"Hmm, seems we have two rats here." A woman said.
The three around the campfire heard there comrades voice and looked up. There they found their two partners holding two leaf genins, each with a kunai to their neck.
"What do you mean its too late, its never too late." Shikamaru yelled, something he rarely did.
"I'm sorry, but the storm is just too powerful, you won't get far, especially considering you don't know their location." It hurt Tsunade to say such things, but she wasn't going to lose two chunins on a mission that they didn't know where they were heading and whether or not their friends were already safe. It was too risky.
"With all due respect, Hokage-sama, Chouji and Ino are my best friends, I'm going whether or not you give me permission." Shikamaru's eyes were narrowed as he hissed out his claim.
A silver haired junin, just happen to hear the conversation between the the two. Deciding it was best for him to act, he stepped in.
"Hokage-sama, I believe I can help, I'll give them Pakkun, he should be able to easily lead them to the two that are missing." His only visible eye didn't show the slightest moment or emotion.
"Kakashi, who gave you permission to butt in?"
"I'm sure this would make a good mission. Just send Shikamaru and Naruto there, they are both chunins, they can handle themselves."
"Pfft, there might not be a reason to go, those two could be safe, or they could already be . . ."
"I know Hokage-sama," Kakashi interrupted. "but if we send someone out, there will be no way to say we didn't try."
Sighing deeply, Tsunade thought; she didn't want to send them out in the hell that was beating away at their village. But it seems to be the best choice overall, now thinking about those two out their suffering in the storm. It made here heart skip a beat.
"Fine, only Shikamaru and Naruto will go."
"Good, I will summon Pakkun." Using his kunai, Kakashi drew some blood from his thumb. Forming the seals; Boar, Dog, Bird, Monkey, Ram. He slammed his palm into the rocky ground. "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" Black lines seeped out from where his hand impacted, and a cloud of smoke puffed out.
"Gah, not again." A voice from below trailed up.
"Man, not that stupid mutt again."
"Stupid mutt? Don't call me that you stupid lazy kid."
"Whats wrong with being lazy?"
"Would you two shut up!!" Naruto yelled. "We have a mission, lets get this thing going."
"Before you three go, remember that the winds are strong, stay low on the ground and use chakra to stay attached."
"Okay Hokage-sama" The two responded.
"One of you two will have to carry me, I don't have the ability to stay attached, just zip me up in your jacket." The small dog demanded.
"Naruto, hes talking to you."
"Shut up Shikamaru, hes talking to you!"
"Carrying him will be too troublesome, you do it."
"Don't tell me what to do."
"I've been a chunin the longest, that makes me the leader."
Naruto began to steam, he pointed at Shikamaru, who still had a lazy look on his face. He yelled; "Your not the leader, I'm the leader, I can beat you any day, I'm the future Hokage!!!"
Tsunade smacked herself in the forehead, god I hope this isn't a mistake. "Naruto, you carry the dog."
"But . . ."
"Just do it, I'm ordering you too."
"Fine." Naruto unzipped his jacket and bent down. Carefully he placed the small dog in it and and wrapped it around them both. After zipping it up, the only visible portion of the dog was his head poking up just under Naruto's chin.
"Oh my God!! thats so cute!" Hinata and Temari squealed in unison.
"NO ITS NOT!!"
Kakashi just sighed, even if those two were some of the best chunins in the village, they still acted so immature. "Would you two just go already."
Shikamaru and Naruto both nodded, giving both of their girlfriends a hug, they started for the tunnel that led to the base of the cave. Finally emerging out into the forest, they were confronted by screaming winds. The howl sounded like a million wolves, ready to pounce.
"Well dumb dog, do you smell anything?"
"I smell something, actually I smell a lot of things, the wind is really messing with things. But, I'm the best, and I do pick up a faint smell of jasmine."
"Jasmine? thats the shampoo that Ino uses, where is it coming from?"
"That way." The dogged pulled out his paw and pointed in the direction.
"Alright Naruto, lets go."
"Okay."
The two focused chakra to their feet and started towards the direction the dog pointed out.
"So Yunibi, what do we do with them?" Serora questioned.
"Well." Yunibi began.
"I say we slice their throats and gamble on which blood drop hits the ground first." One of the man said. He wore an evil smile, and a gleam of anticipation filled his eyes.
Yunibi, looked at the man, and frowned. With a blur, Yunibi's hand flew from its relaxed position on his lap, slamming against the head of the man who spoke. The blow sent the cloud ninja flying back, and he finally came to a stop by slamming into the cave wall.
"Don't ever interrupt me again!" Yunibi hissed.
"Sorry, sorry, I just got excited."
"Sorry about that Serora, let me continue." Yunibi turned back to the woman. Her and her partner, Marduk, were the only ones he really trusted. Even though they met only a few months ago, he picked up on their personality quick. They were more honorable then most , and the other two he was with were nothing but stupid, blood lusty morons. "They are only children, and I wouldn't want to kill them for no reason. But if they try to escape or attack us I will kill them without a second thought. For now I say we just keep them tied up, and either let them go after our mission, or use them for ransom."
"Sounds good." She replied.
Chouji felt some relief, at least he was lucky enough to get caught by honorable criminals, he didn't know a thing like that even existed. He decided he would just lay low, no reason to try to stir something up when he didn't need too. He looked over at Ino, her hands chained tightly behind her back.
"Did you hear that, we should be okay If we just stay quiet. They outnumber us, and I don't think we can do anything. Especially since we are tied up, we cant use any seals."
"Yeah, Lets just lay low." She respond, her voice was low.
The people in the cave became quit. The only noise were the sounds of the storm's rage outside and snoring from the now sleeping Ino. Chouji looked around, it seems that the three known as Yunibi, Serora and Marduk were somewhat content on leaving them alive. Luckily, Yunibi was the leader, and he seemed very powerful and able to dish out the justice if his comrades got out of hand. Serora was somewhat of a beautiful woman, the only blemish on her features was a long scar on her face. Marduk, was still a mystery, he barely spoke, and when he did he only responded with very smart ass comments. Looking around he was able to see the other two of the group sitting together. They were talking amongst themselves, and then one pointed at Ino, while the other one laughed. Chouji was afraid, what the hell did they have in mind.
One of the cloud ninjas rose and slowly walked over to Ino. He bent down and looked at the girl with a sadistic smile. Licking his lips he reached up and moved a piece of her blond hair away from her face, and lifted it to his nose. "Mmmm, jasmine."
"Don't you dare touch her." Chouji hissed, he felt his head become red with rage. "If you do; I will kill you."
"Haha kid, what can you do. Your all tied up, you cant do anything."
Chouji's heart exploded in raw anger, he would tear him apart. He used all his strength to pull at the chains around his wrist and ankles. But they didn't budge. He was helpless and couldn't come to the rescue of the one he loved.
"This will be fun." The missing-nin reached up with his hand, softly rubbing Ino's pale cheeks. "I can't wait."
Seconds before the ninjas lips touched Ino's, A kunai screamed bye the cloud ninjas cheek. He whirled around, blood twinkling from his cheek and down his neck.
"If you touch that girl, I will personally skin you alive, you worthless bastard." Serora heaved, hate filled her eyes. She wad dead serious.
"What do you care, shes just a stupid girl from Konoha." The man was filled with hatred for the woman, but he felt just as much fear. The woman would be able to kill him easily. He slowly backed away from the girl. Serora's eyes watched him closely, her eyes were terrifying he thought.
"I don't care about whether she lives or not. But as a fellow female, I won't let your perverted, lustful hands touch her. I will say it once more, if you come close to here again. I will kill you."
Chouji looked over at Serora, he was filled with gratitude. "Thank you, for saving her from that bastard."
"No problem." She said simply.
After a long, rough journey, they found themselves at the entrance to a cave. Hope filled the two ninjas, it seemed their friends were able to find safely.
"Well what are we waiting for, lets go." Naruto said as he lead the way.
They two chunins, along with the tracking dog started through the rocky tunnel. As they walked, they could see a flicker of light, and heard conversation floating towards them. The two slowed to a crawl, and crept up to a stalagmite. There they were able to see five people huddled around a campfire. Then Naruto gasped, and tapped Shikamaru shoulders. Shikamaru looked over at Naruto questionably. Naruto pointed, and Shikamaru followed the blond's arm.
There he found Ino and Chouji tied up, back against a wall. Ino was sleeping and Chouji was talking to one of there captures.
"Thank you, for saving her from that bastard." they heard him say.
The woman responded. "No problem."
Shikamaru leaned over to Naruto and whispered into his ear. "I have a plan."
