Chapter 9: Aburame Base

"What is this place?" Naruto asked as he peered over a rock at a huge building.

"Aurion, the Nozomi Charm is pulsating a lot," Airas informed. "Our uncle, he's here."

Aurion nodded. "Alright."

"What are we going to do?" Inochi asked. "I don't think we can just walk in there…"

"Airi…er, I mean, Inochi's right," Kiba said. "We have to think of a way to get in."

"But how?" Sakura asked.

Hinata pointed. "Look, two men just walked in front of that door there." The group looked at the men.

"Great, things just got even more complicated," Sasuke said with a sigh.

Shino studied the men. "…Hmm…" Could they be…!

Inochi looked over at Shino. "Shino? What is it?"

"…Those men, they're Aburames."

"What? Really?" Kiba asked.

"Aburames! There's no way that our uncle could be inside then!" Airas shouted. "What would our uncle be doing in an Aburame base!" She gasped and covered her mouth. "No…Wh-What if…!" She looked down. "No…"

"We're in the middle of an ancient war now," Kakashi said. "I think I know how we can get in."

"What, really? How!" Airas asked.

"Kakashi, you read my mind," Aurion said.

"Okay, then out with it. What's the plan?" Kurenai asked.

"Simple. Shino will just have to--" Kakashi started.

"--pretend that we're his prisoners," Aurion finished. Everyone smirked as they glanced at Shino.

XXXX

"…Keep moving!"

The two Aburame guards looked at each other, then back at the group of people headed their way. They held up their katanas. "Stop right there, who are you?"

Shino walked to the front. "Move, both of you."

"What do you want, boy?" one of the guards asked.

"I am Aburame Shino and I've captured the Nozomi leaders and my teammates," Shino answered.

"A-Aburame Sh-Shino?" they repeated. "Shino! Wow, this is quite and amazing turn of events!"

"I don't have time for your idle banter. I've captured the wanted Nozomis!"

They looked at the group. "No doubt about it, they're Nozomis alright. Airas and Aurion…"

"I even brought Nozomi Airi's body," Shino said.

"What! No wonder the boss chose Shino!"

Shino tilted his head at the remark. What is that supposed to mean?

"Damn you Shino!" Kiba yelled.

"How could you!" Sakura added.

"We trusted you!" Naruto screamed.

"Shut up all of you!" Shino snapped.

"I never thought that you would betray us, Shino," Kurenai said with a sigh.

"Why did you bring your sensei and your teammates?" one of the guards asked.

"I don't have to explain myself to you!" Shino shouted.

"You damn Aburames are all the same," Airas said with a low growl.

"I hope you burn in hell, Aburame Shino," Aurion hissed.

Shino rolled his eyes. "Just open the damn door and let me in."

"Right away Lord Shino!" the men said. They opened the door and stepped aside.

"Good. Now get moving!" The group headed inside of the base. They wandered around a bit before they reached the control room.

"So this is the control room," Sakura said as she looked around.

Inochi walked over to Shino and smiled. "Shino, you were awesome back there! The way you acted the part of 'Evil Shino' was amazing! Everyone was so convincing."

Shino looked down at her and blushed a bit. "Th-Thanks."

"Inochi, please focus on the matter at hand," Airas said.

"Airas, why don't you relax a bit?" Kakashi suggested. "I know you're worried about your sister, but you're way too tense right now."

She looked at him. …Hatake Kakashi…He seems to care about this…Why? This doesn't concern him…But he's right. I'm only hurting myself… "O-Okay, you're r-right. Th…Tha…" She shook her head and blushed.

"Okay, we're inside and everything, but what do we do now?" Naruto asked as he folded his arms behind his head.

"What do you think?" Airas asked flatly. "We're looking for Keisuke, my uncle!"

"The only problem thought is that we don't know where to start looking," Kurenai informed. "If we wander around aimlessly, we'll get caught."

"My glamorous beauty Kurenai is right!" Aurion said. "We need a map of the place or something!"

"Where exactly are we going to get a map?" Kakashi asked.

Sakura studied the machines while everyone was talking. "Hmm…This is very interesting…Such advanced technology, but I can figure it out." She stared some more at the machines. "…I think I got it…" She pressed a few buttons and pulled a lever. Something suddenly appeared on the large screen. "Ha, child's play…"

"Whoa, Sakura, what did you do?" Kiba asked.

She looked at the screen. "I think I pulled up this building's layout."

"So, it's like a map, right?" Naruto asked.

Hinata nodded. "That's right Naruto."

"Oh, okay. Thanks Hinata."

She smiled. "You're welcome…"

Sakura began to push more buttons. "Alright, see this blinking room? This is where we are…Let's see if I can get it to show the main room." She pressed buttons again and another room on the layout began to blink. "This is the main room in the entire building. Keisuke should be in there." She studied the layout again. "It looks like we'll need to release two locks in order to get to the main room though…"

"This should be cake then," Kiba said. "All we have to do is unlock the locks and get to the main room."

"Kiba, the locks are located on opposite sides of the buildings," Sakura said.

"Aww man, are you serious!" Naruto asked. "That's stupid."

"…Then that means we'll have to split into two teams so we can unlock the locks," Sasuke said.

"Wait, this gets even more difficult," Sakura continued. "The locks open the way to the main room, but the opening only stays open for a certain amount of time."

"But…There's no way we could split into two teams, meet up, and get to the main room before it closes. We'll run out of time!" Hinata said.

"Well," Kakashi said with a small grin, "We'll just need three teams, then."

"How will we pick the teams?" Kurenai asked.

"Aurion and I have to be part of the team that goes to the main room. We have to speak with our uncle, before you guys do anything," Airas said.

"Why don't we let Shino pick the teams?" Aurion asked.

"What? Why?"

"Cuz this base belongs to Shino's clan." He looked at Shino. "So Shino, it's up to you. Make the three teams."

"Uh, me?" Shino asked.

"Go on Shino," Inochi said, "I know you'll choose wisely. I have faith in you."

He looked at her. …Airi… "Okay, just let me think for a bit."

"Don't take too long, Shino," Kurenai said. "We don't know when someone might come in here."

"Yes sensei." He walked off to the other side of the room.

"Aurion, are you sure about this?" Airas asked.

"What do you mean?" Aurion asked.

"I mean, letting that Aburame pick the teams."

"Oh, that, well, I'm positive!"

"Since when do you trust Aburames?"

"I don't trust Aburames, I trust him."

"He is an Aburame, you idiot."

"I know."

She rubbed her head. "Then what the hell are you talking about!"

"Shino's different and I know that in his heart, he means well. Deep down inside of him, he's a good person."

"Aurion," Airas said with a sigh, "You're a hopeless idiot and you make no sense."

"Yep, I know!" He grinned so he could make her angry, and it worked.

Shino came back to the rest of his group. "Alright, I've decided who's in each team." Everyone waited for him to announce the teams as apprehension filled the air. "I'll tell you guys the teams that are unlocking the locks first. For team one, it's…Kurenai sensei, Kiba, Sasuke, and…Inochi." The four people looked at each other and nodded. "Team two, it's…Kakashi sensei, Sakura, Naruto, and Hinata."

Hinata's heat skipped a beat as she heard what team she would be in. I'm in…Naruto's team!

Naruto smiled. "Looks like we're on the same team Hinata."

"Aurion, Airas, you guys are coming with me to see Keisuke," Shino said.

"What! Why can't Inochi come with us instead?" Airas asked.

"Because the Aburames will be after Inochi for Airi's body. I feel more comfortable knowing that a Jonin and an Uchiha member are keeping her safe."

"Hey, what about me!" Kiba asked.

"Oh, and you too."

"Okay, I understand Shino," Inochi said.

"Are you sure about this Shino?" Kakashi asked. "It's you, Airas, and Aurion that I worry about."

"We'll be fine Kakashi," Aurion said. "Don't worry." Shino nodded.

"Well, now that we have our teams and objectives, we should get moving," Kurenai said. "Good luck everyone." They all nodded and headed through their designated doors.