Chapter 14.
A team of 6 ANBU sprinted alongside the mountain towards the duo. The squad was incredibly lucky to have found their targets but thanks to an ANBU member within the squad- who is of the Inuzuka clan- they had managed to pull it off. The clansman worked alongside a canine companion who is particularly skilled in tracking. It is really this canine's only skill but it's situations such as these that prove the dog has a place within the ANBU. A simple mistake like a fallen hair or drop of sweat can be tracked by the hound. Also, once the dog has taken in a smell he will NEVER forget it. Years can pass and the canine can still recall a scent. That's why even after they had lost the trail the ANBU continued their search. They only had to locate where the duo stopped covering their tracks. Then the dog would be able to direct them from there. They had searched all across the countryside for weeks and had nearly given up their mission before the dog picked up the trail. They had rediscovered the scent at the base of a mountain range about a hundred kilometers away from the crime scene. The dog claimed the scent was most definitely the male of the two and that he was a tricky target.
'The target is cunning and takes great care covering his tracks while entering or leaving the premises. I think he only appears here to hunt for supplies since he is taking such precaution.' he said. So, all they could tell was he had been in the area recently and not much else. The squad hoped he must have been camped nearby. They scurried the forest before another member theorized that if the targets are as capable as they appeared then the smarter move would be to camp in the mountains. The ANBU squad's captain already knew they're best opportunity for an assassination would be during nighttime and so he ordered the team to wait until the sun set. When they had begun scaling the mountains the dog pointed out that the scent not only resurfaced again but it's stronger this time. The female's is also interlaced with the man's now. The team tracked until they caught sight of a cave high above the clouds shining orange with a campfire's glow. The dog's partner warned his companion to stay behind since he isn't anywhere near as versed in combat as he is in tracking. The dog did as he was ordered and without the dog the ANBU members were able to sneak far more efficiently… that is until the rookie had a misstep.
"Shit!" The rookie exclaimed. The ANBU's captain also cursed under his breath. Their cover is blown, it's time to get aggressive.
"Move in and kill anything that breaths! No prisoners ya hear!" Their leader commanded. The squad pushed forward in unison, forgoing their earlier stealth. As the two taking lead reached the cave they drew their weapons. The millisecond after they passed the lip of the cave's entrance the two shinobi hastily analyzed the scene from within. Beside a lit fire pit is an odd-looking young girl, she's sprawled across the floor after tripping over her own two feet. She was in the middle of gasping when a kunai dug itself hilt-deep into her eye socket. The burly man accompanying the child jumped to attack the intruders but he too, was struck. A flurry of shuriken riddled his body from his toes to his scalp. He fell to the ground as the other members entered the cave.
"Well…that was easy." The new ANBU noted. His leader shook his head and stomped over towards the man's 'body' the newbie 'assassinated'.
"You are way too high ranking to be this dumb. Allow me to enlighten ya- "He kicked the 'body's head right off and it obliterated against the wall in a cloud of dust.
"-If it's too good to be true, then it isn't dumbass. Alright ya'll can see these are earth clones but the targets are in the area- they have to be! We can still get them if we move it! Scatter!" 4 of the members leapt from the cave to return to scouring the mountain range but the leader paused when he noticed the rookie ogling the clones.
"But they were just here? How did they get out? How were they THAT FAST?"
"No doubt about it- They are S-rank, kid. HIGH S-rank… Get your ass moving and look alive or else you'll end up dead… Although you know what? After that fuck up of yours, you may want to allow yourself to die at this point. May be a better fate than what I have in store for you back in the village." The leader left and the rookie gulped.
'FUCK.'
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Hazel can't see anything. It's dark, well, dark isn't really a good description. It isn't just dark like the night sky. It's ENTIRELY dark. There isn't a single shred of light to illuminate the world around her. All she can peer at is pitch black emptiness. If that isn't disturbing enough- Something is pressing down against every single inch of her body. Just to make matters even worse this constricting mass is also cutting off her air supply. It's like she took a high dive straight into a pool of mud and Hazel is still sinking into its depths. She tried to catch her breath, but her lungs can't budge. The pressure is too great. To say the absolute least, the situation is panic inducing.
'How did I get here I couldn't see anything?!' She was handling her pack before she was slammed by something and now there is this. Whatever this witchcraft is.
'I can't breathe, oh no I can't BREATHE. Air! I need air! God! Oh God I- I need to get out!' Like an angel answering her prayer the cold breeze rushed pass her face and her body was liberated. The night's dull light was almost blinding but it is welcomed. She hadn't noticed within the darkness, but Kakuzu is cradling her against his chest with her pack between them. Hazel held onto it as he sprinted.
"Woah- "She whispered. Kakuzu is running completely juxtaposed against the mountain. Somehow his feet remained connected to the mountainside by an invisible force. Hazel didn't scream anymore when she witnessed Kakuzu's magic since she is quite accustomed to it these days. It still leaves her in awe though. She peeked behind Kakuzu's back to see where they had come from. She could barely make out the shape of the hole that stood from where they had emerged. Turns out swimming in mud might have been an accurate description. While Hazel reground herself Kakuzu is fully concentrated on their surroundings. He kept his senses open as he ran away from their camp. The night sky air is especially chilling and sharp at this elevation. The moon illuminated the landscape in a blanket of blue and left far too much unseen. It's an assassin's dream but now Kakuzu is the target. Just one more night and this wouldn't have happened-
'It leaves a bitter taste knowing how close we were to escaping.' He fled towards the base of the mountain. The forest is their only chance. If they stay out in the open like this, they'll be spotted within minutes. Hazel picked up on Kakuzu's urgency and had to confirm her suspicions.
"Danger? There danger?" Kakuzu dipped his head and Hazel's blood froze.
"Kakuzu hurt shinobi?" Kakuzu took an especially large leap that knocked the air out of Hazel. He can hear the shinobi shouts echo throughout the valley. He assumed it must be the ANBU since he did just kill their shinobi a short time ago. Judging by the spacing within the echo they have rediscovered their trail and are on pursuit.
"We are running. Stay quiet." Hazel nodded and tucked her head into his shoulder.
'Let him run away and they will be safe. Easy.' Her heart is pounding but although she didn't notice it, Hazel is calmer than the last time she had an encounter with shinobi and especially calmer than the first. Something Kakuzu picked up on.
'Finally, some sense.' He reached the outskirts of the forest and dove straight in. He had to forgo any track covering since time is not on his side. 6 ANBU is possibly out of his league depending on who they've sent. He didn't get the chance to evaluate their masks or he would've gauged if a fight was possible between them. Now he has to be safe and flee the scene. His plan has failed.
'What a waste of time.' The Leaf are more formidable than he gave them credit. Still his plans to target them stayed firm. If anything, his bloodlust has been doubled. No, tripled. He will get back at them for all of this trouble.
The pair made it into the forest and Kakuzu was able to flee even faster with the aid of the tree branches. His sandals hit the bark as they rocketed through the air. Every single surface is used to his advantage and not one single movement was wasted. It's too bad it became clear that the ANBU are definitely skilled. Kakuzu's decoys bought them time but not much of can sense their signatures begin to trail behind them so now where do they run to? Where will they hide?
'-There is a city. A large one. It's far but I can make it there. If I can manage to put some more distance between us and sneak past the border than we might be able to shake them for good.' To bring a captive into a city while under pursuit is by far the dumbest idea he could think of- yet what else is there? He can try to outrun them but he's positive they have specialized tracking abilities now. They wouldn't be able to keep on his tail like this otherwise. Topped off by their unknown combat skills and his options are scarce.
'We will flee towards the city. Our trails will be difficult to follow within such a crowded space. While they search, I will hide us within the city and find some supplies to help cover our tracks. Usually, a tracker uses scent to follow a target so I will find some supplies to disguise ours. After that I can pay for a ride with a merchant caravan to help aide in our escape. It's a good cover and will help keep a low profile. It can also help mask our scent.' It isn't uncommon for civilians to pay to ride with caravans. It was a great way to not only get a ride but to add some security to your trip. In their case they will have to find one not guarded by a shinobi squad. Less common but doable.
'If it isn't guarded by the Leaf or Waterfall then it should be fine as well. Although, I hate spending money… I may be able to pickpocket my money back. Maybe even more… Yes, that's acceptable. Then once I steal the money we can slip away from the caravan whenever we're safe. Good, I just need to get us there then.' Since he knew where he was going Kakuzu could pace himself. The missing-nin can go even faster and still make it to his destination so that's what he did. Behind them the ANBU are struggling to catch the pair but since they are having to track their trail the squad can't keep up with the pace. There was no way around it, the ANBU have to make sure they don't lose their scent or follow any misleading trails again. Fact is they aren't going to be able to catch them so they will have to stalk the pair until the two run out of chakra. This pissed off their captain GREATLY and he made sure to let his squad know they will be training even harder when they return.
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Several Hours Later.
Hazel laid still in Kakuzu's arms yet there were times she wanted to scream her head off or try to squirm out of his grip. He would take a turn too fast or dive too close to the ground and it terrified the girl. The child was proud of herself whenever she managed to stifle the urge but to Hazel it's the least she can do to help the shinobi.
'I don't want to be useless again. Is there anything else I can do to help protect the shinobi or is this all?' Kakuzu took another harsh dive that made Hazel's stomach drop. When he leapt back up into the tree branches her stomach didn't recover.
'Crap, he may have hurt me that time.' Her gut ached and twisted. The girl took a single arm off her bag to cradle the area.
"Owwww." She accidently hissed. Kakuzu sent her a dirty look but Hazel is aware of her blunder and is trying to fix the issue. She bit down on her lip as to not let another sound pass but in spite of her attempts, this didn't help either. Even though she isn't saying anything, Hazel's breath is rushing in and out of her nostrils. Very audible and not acceptable for Kakuzu.
"Get a hold of yourself." Kakuzu commanded. Hazel focused on her breathing as her stomach kept wreaking havoc. The pain isn't receding- As a matter of fact, it is getting worse with a new symptom rearing its ugly head. Nausea.
'NO, I CAN'T GET MOTION SICKNESS NOW! THIS IS THE OPPOSITE OF USEFUL YOU HEAR ME STOMACH!? THE OPPOSITE!'
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A/N- to the guest that commented about how Kakuzu reminded them of a turkish father. LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I was definitely going for stern father figure a few times last chapter and I am SO HAPPY people picked up on that! Thank you, I cackled reading that!