Meanwhile…..
Deep within the shadows of a cave, a black cloaked figure was focusing into the shadow glass, watching the three friends. A smirk played around his lips as he thought, Ah finally. In the darker shadows, a low voice hissed out.
"How do you know he'll come?"
"Don't worry. He'll come…" the cloaked figure assured as he turned toward the water prison in the middle of the room, holding a figure in its icy grip. "… I guarantee it."
Back in Konoha
Tsunade-sama sat at her desk, drinking her sake. "Neji, so I assume you have heard the news then," she said without looking up from her paperwork. The seventeen-year-old ANBU stepped forward to the fifth Hokage's desk.
"Hokage-sama…" Neji started but Tsunade put up her hand to stop him.
"Naturally, we would have sent a team to retrieve her, but right along with the message about Nadeshiko-san, whoever kidnapped her asked for you specifically. If it wasn't you, she would die," she explained, sensing the surprise from him. "Neji, this mission is an ANBU rank and you should go as soon as possible. But you should bring back up with you. Choose your team wisely, because the kidnapper is only expecting you," she continued. Neji inclined his head. Before he left, Neji gave a fleeting look towards the Hokage and saw a sad look on her face. Tsunade stood at the window, gazing out and watched as the sun began to set. She sighed and thought, He's a strong warrior and he won't let her die. I wish I was that strong years ago… so I could have saved him.
"WHAT! Nadeshiko's kidnapped! How could this have happened! Can I help! I can help!" Neji coughed and plugged his ears after explaining to Naruto what was happening, and was responded by him yelling.
"Yes… I need your help. Naruto, you're fast enough so you can give our entire group cover. I'm taking along Rock Lee and Tenten as well," he said, shaking his head and amazed at how he hadn't gone deaf.
"Well you can count on me! I would never let a friend down! Don't worry Neji; I'll help you rescue her!" Naruto saluted. Tenten rolled her eyes.
"Neji," she hissed. "Why are you asking him? He's so annoying!" Neji couldn't help but smile as he took off his mask to take a look at his team mate.
"Annoying he may be, but we'll have a better chance of going in, get Nadeshiko, and get out within the next 24 hours," he explained. The three Konoha ninjas stared at him.
"B-but Neji," Lee stammered. "It takes at least a day to travel to where Nadeshiko is supposed to be."
"Yah! Not to mention that the terrain there will slow us down!" Naruto protested. Neji frowned.
"Nadeshiko is in danger so we need to be as precise as possible. No mistakes, so we need to make sure nothing will go wrong," he said in a low voice. "If you can't do this, then there are other ninja in this village that I can recruit. I chose you guys thinking that you can handle this mission within the given time limit."
"Err… no it's ok. We can do this," Tenten said hastily. "Right guys?" she asked shooting a meaningful look at the other two who quickly nodded. Neji nodded and slipped his mask back on.
"Good, then let's go."