Naruto: Tenth Dragon's Poison
Chapter 35
Caught in the Middle
Its presence shined bright in its position above all that resided in its view. A stream of clouds gradually moved in from the east to step in front of the sun, bringing along a welcoming shade for all who occupied the city below. A few minutes passed since the time he found himself in this newly walked path, one which was fueled by an interest. He continued to follow the group of people who hurried along, becoming growingly invested into whatever the journey's end would bring.
As he walked he picked up a detail he had neglected to notice before. Everyone who traveled within the group wore tan knee length cloaks, whether there was any significance behind this was unknown to him. There was a common expressed look from the majority, showcasing not only an excitement, but an undeniable anticipation.
"Everyone seems to be anxious, more so than before"Bart detailed through observation. "If I had to take a wild guess I'd say we're getting close to wherever these guys are going, and if I'm lucky this'll lead directly to those guys in the suites of purple."
His imagination for what would ultimately be reached began to play through his mind.
"Maybe they're all heading to a public orchestrated picnic.. no that can't be it, the hype levels I'm getting from the guys would suggest something else, hmmm," He contemplated on the possibility further, bringing light to a whole nother angle. He gulped at the thought of it, fretting deep inside as its content coursed in mind. "Or, or they all could be heading to some kind of.. death mansion, or even a dungeon!"
A decrease in his step came at the thought of this, finding a breeze of hesitation closing in over him.
"Ok, just need to keep it together," Bart played to himself in mind. "All I have to do is slowly make my way to the back of the group and then."
His stutter in his walk resulted in one of the many who traveled in line as well bumping into him from behind.
"Move it or lose it," Someone voiced in demanding fashion. "If you're going to move at that pace you might as well tail it to the back?"
His eyes sputtered wide at the declared.
"Did they just indirectly call me slow?"
His reaction to spin around to engage the person of the conveyed words was immediate.
"Hey, are you trying to imply that I'm slow?" Bart proudly huffed with the cross of his arms.
There standing across from him was a girl who wore a tan cloak just like the rest. Her hair was a long red which was tied in a ponytail, set over her dazzling red eyes of fiery was a pair glasses that magnified everything through his eyes.
"Wow, she's beautif.."
His thoughts were slapped far wide with her forceful move to push past him.
"Out of my way." She chided as the two of their shoulders bumped in small collision.
"Totally uncalled for." Bart steamed as he watched her pass him by.
A remark that was completely side stepped as she pressed on ignoring him completely. Even then he couldn't help but follow after her due to a certain question.
"Wait, hold on," Bart said walking after her. "There is something I want to ask?"
There was a small trace of annoyance to be found upon her face after finding him now trailing no more than a few feet away from her left side.
"For starters I don't have time to talk, and secondly I don't even know who you are." She sounded off.
"My name is Bart, that is certainly a start," He smilingly delivered. "Now if you don't mind there's something I want to ask."
"You're annoyingly persistent." She assessed.
"I hope this doesn't come off the wrong way," Bart continued as he uncrossed arms. "But could you tell me where you and the rest of these people are going?"
This was something that she was not expecting to be asked, warranting her to look him directly in the eyes for a second time.
"So let me get this straight, you're heading to where the rest of are going without even having a clue as to where that is?"
"Yep, that's it in a nutshell," Bart confirmed giving her the thumbs up. "So are you going to tell me or what?"
"If you don't know where we're going, then why are you following?"
"Come on, you just completely evaded what I asked."
"I'm at a loss for what your intent is."
"That one is simple, I'm looking for," Bart began with a brief pause. "Some friends of mine."
"Friends of yours?"
"That's right," Bart said crossing his arms once again. "We're about to go, you know… spelunking."
"Spelunking?"
"Yea, cave diving," Bart lied behind a diligent grin. "This very day has been planned for several months now."
A slight drop in her eyes hinted at a shred of disbelief.
"I'm pretty sure there aren't too many caves around here, and certainly not to an extent that one could go cave diving in."
"That's just the thing, we're only meeting here," Bart explained uncrossing his arms with snap of his finger. "We plan on cave diving elsewhere."
"Ooo.. kay, but that still doesn't explain why you're following the rest of us," She replied in light of the given as she looked forward once again. "Not that I remotely care or anything."
"That one is simple," Bart stated as he glanced upward. "When I came across you guys walking at the speed that you were going at I assumed something big must be going on, and since I haven't found my friends yet I thought there might be a chance they could be chimed into whatever it is."
"So you're following this group based solely on an assumption, I see." She finally realized.
"Bingo," He proudly chanted. "By the way I don't believe I got your name before."
"Which is understandable since I didn't give it." She streamlined forward with the wave of her long red hair as she gandered to what lied ahead.
"Well gee, this girl is sure isn't your ideal courtesy guide you'd want for a first time visit."
This was an awkward moment to say the least, leaving him to wonder if he should bring a halt to any further discussion. But there was one more question he still wished to have answered.
"Ok then, can you at least tell me where it is we're going?"
"Why tell you, when you can see for yourself."
"And how long exactly is that going to take?"
"There." She guided with the point of a finger.
That instant his sights shot forward, bringing his eyes in view of a large sign that was staked into the ground at street side. Directly behind was a large stage that one could associate with theater. There was a number of people walking upon from one end to the other, some clearly directing traffic while others stood in conversation. Was a show of some kind about to be put on display, and if so for what?
"What is all of this?"
Wondering just that he moved in closer to get a clear view of what the sign read. A couple steps was all it took for him to fall in range of the print upon the sign of steel which read; "Duo Rap Battle Challenge!"
His jaw fell downward with an excitement of words to follow.
"This is the place, this is where it is all going to go down!"
With that in mind he made a move to turn back for where he had come.
"Hey, do you happen to know," Bart began only to stop in mid-sentence to see the girl he had met just seconds was now gone. He looked over all who had gathered, unsuccessful in spotting her. "Ok.. I wonder where that girl went to in such a hurry, and to think I didn't even get her name."
His mind quickly rallied to the task at hand, finding himself scouring out for anyone dressed in purple garments in hopes the ones he was currently in search of would turn up. His initial look brought up nothing, taking him right back to where he was prior to reaching this point, looking on the outside in.
"Great, and here I was hoping to catch a lucky break," Bart said with his arms slouching down to his side. "Hopefully Uryuu is faring off better in his search."
He continued to survey the area in hopes one of the sought would walk into view. With every second that past that very hope slowly began to dwindle away, and with reality setting in that brought one clear question to mind.
"What now?"
…
His eyes were sharp pinned, locked on one single thing, the opposition. He waited on their move to make. It wasn't a matter of if but rather when their next attack would be made. He looked into her eyes as she did in return with an inner intent to be displayed upon her face.
"What is she waiting for, why is she just standing there?"
Could it be that she had the same thing in mind? Was she waiting for him to orchestrate the next move? It was definitely a possibility. After having that come to mind a move from her stance several yards away was finally.
"I can now see the handicap that currently weighs over you," Blitz spoke in light of his current situation. "With your arm in the condition it is will you choose to forfeit this bout?"
His eyes sharply narrowed at the spoken. With the energy that still remained he stood back to his feet with a bold of confidence to convey.
"If you think such a minor detail can set me back then you've been dangerously misinformed of my capabilities."
"Is that confidence or your ignorance showing itself," Blitz gibed in response. "With only the use of one of your arms you're going to be notably limited."
"She's right." Ino noted in mind.
He paid little mind to her words, knowing what she spoke was nothing more than an attempt to divert him from where his focus should be. The standoff between them went on for several seconds more, both clearly waiting for the other to make the next move.
"Even if I do attack one has to wonder about the other elements," Kakashi thought to himself as he looked over at the other two who stood in watch in her corner. "And to top it off I am uncertain of what either of those two are capable of."
There was no budge from his end, leaving her to speak once more.
"Sorry to say, but we're on a bit of a tight schedule," Blitz relayed making a half circle in the dirt with the motion of her left foot. "This class session has been prolonged far enough, show me Hatake.. what will you do now?"
She took another step which followed after her words, a delivered message which brought another outlook in his mind.
"There's more to this than what is being perceived.. what are these people really after?"
"Prepare yourselves." Blitz dispensed to them all.
It was at that very moment that something unexpected happened.
"Inoue-chan, what are you doing?" Kakashi questioned as he watched her step in front of him.
"Here I come." Blitz softly relayed.
Whatever his move was to be made it was now or never. Before any such decision could be made the girl who stood in front of him in his assumed defense made a move of her own.
"Santen Kesshun!"
Within an instant of speaking the phrased an energy field appeared before her. Not a moment later Blitz appeared with in front of her with a fist of powering proportions, shooting forward with a hit that smashed in impact with this newly presented force. Her eyes widened in shock after finding her made attempt produced nothing.
"What is this?" Blitz hissed before leaping back to further assess the situation involving these new circumstances.
She wasn't the only one to look on in unexpected awe, all who had witnessed its birth were just as keyed in as anyone else.
"What is that, a shield," Sakura thought to herself from where she looked on. "I don't recall seeing any motion from her hands, what kind of juutsu is this?"
This was a fact noted by all who witnessed. And as quickly as it had come it dispersed away in the blink of an eye.
"Orihime-chan, was that some kind of shield?" Ino asked from a short distance behind.
She glanced back at her with a smile as she replied.
"Just doing whatever I can to help." Orihime all but confirmed.
"What kind of jutsu was that, I can't say I've seen it before." Ino admitted.
"The details are moot as of now, what is important is the three of you leaving here while you still have the opportunity," Kakashi restated. "As I said before whoever these people are have come strictly for me, if the three of you continue to stick around you'll only get caught up in this mess."
"No way," Sakura retorted. "And besides you're in no condition to carry this fight on alone due to your arm."
"Sakura-chan is right, we can't leave." Ino backed.
"This isn't open for discussion." Kakashi stated.
"At least let us attempt to heal whatever damage that has been done."
"There is no time for that."
The back and forth between the three of them was clearly heard from her end, prompting her to insert herself into the equation.
"Your arm," Orihime said turning around to face him. "How bad is it?"
This question was unexpected to say the least, especially coming from her.
"Whether I can or cannot function my left arm completely doesn't change the decision I have decided on." Kakashi cemented.
"Then you misinterpret, I only wish to help." Orihime revealed with the nod of her head.
"Help me?"
"Orihime-chan, what are you talking about?" Ino asked.
She chose not to verbally reply instead responding through action, a move which brought her to his left side.
"I don't get it, what does she plan on doing now?" Sakura thought to herself.
With another wave of motion in her hands she spoke yet another phrase that brought forth yet another ability.
"Soten Kisshun, I reject!"
And within seconds of saying this a barrier of energy appeared before his arm, shielding around it completely. He fretted at the sight of it only to be quickly reassured by her words.
"Don't worry," Orihime softly spoke. "This won't take long at all."
The enemy looked on from a short distance away, wondering just what it was the four of them were up to.
"It appears they're stalling, for what purpose I do not know," The man under the hood said aloud from his far off position. "We need to return to base soon, I'm certain Uotmar is anticipating our report on this exercise."
No more than twenty seconds passed before the barrier surrounding his arm was dispelled completely.
"There, now it should be good as new." Orihime passed.
He immediately tested the proclaimed to find that he had indeed regain feel not only in his arm but his hands as well.
"I thought for sure my arm was broken, just what kind of jutsu was that?" Kakashi thought to himself.
"Wow, it actually worked," Ino said ecstatic to learn. "I'm quite impressed."
"Really, it was nothing." Orihime bashfully insisted.
"That technique, what kind of jutsu was that?" Sakura asked.
"We can discuss that later," Kakashi said. "Right now I want the three of you to distance yourselves as best as you can from these guys."
"Why are you so adamant in us leaving," Sakura asked of him. "You make it as if we can't handle ourselves."
"It is not that at all, it is the fact none of us know what these guys are hoping to accomplish, nor the full extent of our capabilities."
"The same could be said for us." Ino said quick to point out.
"I beg to differ." Kakashi replied.
"What do you mean?"
"It is clear whoever sent these people are fully aware of not only me but possibly my limitations as well, and if that is so I wouldn't step past the fact they may have knowledge on you two as well," Kakashi explained. "They're after something specific that centers around me, and until I figure out what that is I'd rather not put any of you at risk."
The entire time they carried on in discussion he watched on from his position several feet away. It was during this time that he made the discovery for himself.
"No way, his arm appears to be completely healed," The hooded man spoke in mind. "But how, the given attack should have saw to it that he would have no use of it at least for a week... just what did that girl do?"
Even with everything said from his end none of them showed any sign of budging. It was now evident that they weren't going to leave his side.
"They've been standing there for several seconds now," Sakura pointed out. "Why haven't they attacked, you would have thought while we were talking that would have presented an ideal opening."
"You're right," Ino said. "And something like that wouldn't have been very difficult, especially with the speed that girl put on display."
"Orders." Kakashi noted.
Both of them looked his way upon hearing this, not having a clue as to what he was referring to.
"What are you talking about?" Sakura inquired.
"The one who has yet to reveal who they are, the man in the hood," Kakashi noted while keeping direct eye on the enemy. "I believe they're the one in full control of what the other two do."
"Ok, let's say that's true," Sakura said giving into the idea. "Why didn't he order those two to attack us while we were occupied?"
"That one is simple." Kakashi said narrowing his eyes.
"Simple?"
They would then be interrupted by Blitz who casually began to make her way over.
"You have chatted amongst yourselves for long enough, I hope you've wrapped up because it is time to put a final close on this segment."
She would only take one more step before having a call bring it all to a halt.
"That is enough," The man shielded by the hood passed. "Our work here is done."
This proclamation was not only a surprise to them but for his comrades as well. A fact which was quickly noted.
"What do you mean we're done," Power asked from where he stood beside the hooded man. "We have yet to accomplish what we were sent here to do."
"Oh, but we have," He assured. "And gained so much more in the process, C.P.U will certainly be pleased."
She clearly caught word of its name, bringing the immediate question to mind.
"CPU.. who is that?" Sakura thought to herself.
What came next capped off an encounter that brought many questions and would end with just as many.
"Blitz, stand down." The hooded man ordered.
She looked his way with sharpened eyes to flash.
"Stand down," She spoke a hint of irritation by yet another interruption. "Why?"
"My dear, our mission is complete."
"We were sent here to accomplish something specific, which has yet to be reached need I point out," Blitz argued in response to the commanded. "So as far as I am concerned this mission is incomplete."
She turned away from him with a full sway of her in a provoking matter.
"Ignoring my direct orders will result in you being disciplined by C.P.U in definitely, is that what you want?"
The tension between the two was felt by all who stood in watch of what was unfolding. She said nothing more, giving him the internal signal that she was ready to comply. With that determination made he along with the boy know as Power made their way over to her side. Once there the mystery man shed an eye over at them for a final.
"It's been fun Hatake Kakashi.. until next time, yes?"
He followed his words up with the drop of a smoke bomb which ignited instantly upon making contact with the ground. The cloud of smoke that took shape slowly faded away to reveal their departure.
"They're gone." Kakashi hissed under his breath.
"I can't believe it, they're actually left." Ino stated.
"Welcome to the party of disbelief," Sakura said. "But just who were they, and more importantly what did they want with Kakashi-sensei?"
"Your guess is good as anyone at this point."
"Perhaps so," Sakura agreed. "Either way I have a good feeling we'll be seeing them again sooner rather than later."
"There's no doubt in my mind they will make a return." Kakashi said assured of that.
"What about you," Ino asked looking up at him. "What do you think they wanted with you?"
"Admittedly I was uncertain at first, but what conspired in the last few minutes leading to their departure made it very clear what they were after in regards to me," Kakashi conveyed. "However I am unsure as to what called for them to leave so unexpectedly."
"Are you suggesting that their untimely exit had something to do with something outside of their interest in you?" Sakura asked.
"Yes, with all things considered that seems to be case," Kakashi confirmed. "Outside of that there's something else I'm interested in knowing."
"What is it?"
His eyes then fell specifically rolled her way, catching her by an obvious surprise.
"What me?" Orihime said pointing at herself.
"Yes, I'm curious about that jutsu you used to heal my arm," Kakashi referred back to. "Where did you learn it?"
"Yea, I'd like to know as well." Ino said leaning inward.
She nervously smiled at the asked as she brought a hand to her forehead.
"All of a sudden I don't feel so great."
Without warning her eyes clamped shut as she fell lifelessly forward.
"I've got her." Kakashi said catching her in his arms.
"Is she..?"
"Probably just unconscious." Kakashi said.
"I wonder what could have caused that."
"Perhaps that jutsu of hers drained her to a degree." Sakura guessed.
"Come," Kakashi said as he placed Orihime over his right shoulder. "We need to get her back to the infirmary."
"What about what just occurred here," Ino asked. "Shouldn't we report what.."
"And we will," Kakashi interjected. "But first thing's first, we need to get our guest back to the infirmary for an examination, there are a number of things that could be the cause for her sudden black out."
"Agreed," Sakura said nodding her head in response. "Let's not waste another moment, any further discussion in regard to this encounter will have to wait."
There was an immediate agreement by each of them. And with that they paved the way back to the medical center, each with the same thought on their mind each step of the way, 'Who were those people, and above all what were they truly after?'
…..
The sun gazed down at them from its seat that stood above all, even managing to pass its brightening rays past the hanging leafs that hung on the oak tree to the right side of his face. The sound of someone approaching from nearby alerted him.
"It's time to move, we've rested for long enough." A voice faded in.
Even after hearing their call he didn't so much as irk a muscle.
"Kuro did you not hear, we're leaving," The one out of sight repeated as they neared. "We have a lot of ground that still needs to be covered."
His rested eyes slowly propped open as he leaned forward from where his head was previously comforted upon the side of the tree.
"Before we go, answer me one thing," Ichigo began. "Who are you, I mean.. outside of name, what is your profession exactly?"
A half second was all it took for him to glance upward to see him standing before him.
"Just an ordinary person trying to find their way in this world."
"Not the answer I was looking for." Ichigo stated as he forced himself up from where he sat.
"I hold no profession to name," Tez briefed in response. "I am merely a student, gaining knowledge through my travels through given missions is my current standard."
"Do you work for some kind of Government or something?"
"Simply put."
"So how old are you?"
"Wise enough to tell the difference between the honest and the deceptive."
"Don't know why I was expecting an answer any less cryptic."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"Ok, so what happens when you report back what you've learned," Ichigo asked. "Will they assign you another mission?"
"You ask way too many questions," Tez stated as he turned his back to him. No sooner after doing so he began walking. "Come along, I'd rather you not stand there all day."
"Where are we going?" Ichigo asked.
"The Land of Iron of course, and though it's quite the ways away from where we are now I have a short cut that will get us there sooner rather than later."
"A short cut?"
"Stop dragging your feet," Tez remarked. "If we are to arrive on the scheduled time we need to move now."
"You never said anything about us being on a set schedule." Ichigo said before charging after him.
….
He steadily pressed on, keeping an honest distance between him and the trailed target. The last thing he'd want is to be spotted. There were many others walking the streets as well, each heading in several different directions. This was a plus on his side, giving him a sense of cover as he continued to fall in pursuit.
"We've been walking for over ten minutes now, one has to wonder if we're edging within range of wherever this guy is going."
The longer the walk went on the more anxious he found himself becoming. The next walked block brought a noticeable attitude change with the man in the purple uniform. He began looking both ways before deciding on which way to go, whether it be straight, left, or right. He even glanced back on occasion. In his mind there was only one thing to make of this.
"He's clearly checking to make sure he isn't being followed," Uryuu realized. "Which also means we're nearing wherever he's going."
With that he buckled down, making sure he didn't shed an eye away from the target.
"Alright, what's your next move going to be?" Uryuu lightly spoke.
The two of them now found themselves coursing along on the left side of the street. He kept a sharp eye on him, but even that wouldn't be enough. A single blink is all it took for the man in purple to completely fall out of his line.
"What, where the hell did he just go?"
He made the immediate move to stop in his tracks. And just as soon he began to looking in all directions to try and relocate him. His quick search unfortunately delivered negative results.
"The hell did he go?"
He simply took a deep breath, knowing that if there was ever a time to remain calm it was now.
"Alright there's no need to panic, wherever he is I'm sure he couldn't have gone far."
Keeping that very thought in mind he pressed on with an increased awareness.
"Alright, now which way did you go?"
A couple steps was all he took for him to catch eye of something aside the walkway of where he currently moved.
"What's that?"
With a lit interest he took a step that way before leaning forward to make an insightful discovery.
"It's a ditch, that must be where he disappeared off to." Uryuu assumed.
Without a seconds hesitation he dropped down into the seven foot ditch with only one thing in mind, finding the targeted.
"There's no doubt in my mind, this is where he went," Uryuu said staring toward the long path ahead. "If I hurry I'm sure I'll catch up to him in no time, however maintaining my position from his whereabouts is just as important."
His mission couldn't be any clearer. However even with that there was still one question looming large on mind.
"So I track these guys down and find out what they've been doing pertaining to those bodies Bart-kun I came across.. then what?"
That very question burned its mark into the high fronts of his mind, knowing a big decision would soon come.
….
In a distant universe away
The flashing shine of the golden sphere held in hand voiced its power alone in its appearance. Their attention was flustered away from the prized possession by the sound of romping alarm that circulated throughout the entire room.
"What's going on?"
With the relic of gold still in hand he walked over to the one who stood in front of the large screen which was feeding in an ample amount of information.
"Superman, the diagnosis is finally complete." Cyborg announced.
"And?" The man of steel inquired as he stepped up to his left side.
"It is just as we predicted from our initial discovery of it," Cyborg conveyed. "It is a power source, its potential energy output is spectacular.. off the charts even."
"How off the charts?"
"Enough to power seven planets and a quarter the size of Earth." Cyborg revealed as he faced him.
"You can't be serious," Superman exclaimed looking down at the sphere in his possession. "This has the power to do that?"
"It is, but one has to wonder how Mirror Master got his hands on something like this," Cyborg questioned. "Surely he didn't manifest something like this on his own."
"We won't know for sure unless we find him," Superman noted looking back at him. "There's still the open fact we don't know what he planned on using this for."
"Whatever it was I'm almost certain it would have presented a challenge for us all."
"Let's not forget he's gone missing along with several of our comrades," Superman reminded. "Three members of the League; Black Canary, Batman, and Shazam."
"Let's not forget the five missing from the youth division," Cyborg added. "We can only wonder if they shared the same fate as the others, whatever that could be."
"Of those five one of them might not fall under this wide spread incident," Superman said quick to point out. "I spoke with Grayson the other day and according to him Red Robin was on some undercover operation, whether he is still on it is unknown."
"What kind of operative?"
"The only one who knew was Batman, and he's missing along with who knows how many others." Superman replied.
"I don't like this, any of it," Cyborg voiced. "I feel like what happened days ago is only the beginning of something larger."
"I was getting that same vibe."
"Now that we're educated on this golden spheres inner makeup should I contact the rest of the Justice League and give the details of what we now know?"
"That can wait, letting them continuing their search for answers and me finding a place to keep this golden sphere is our top priority." Superman prioritized.
"Are you suggesting we're not going to keep it here at the headquarters, this is bar none the most secure place I can think of to keep it."
"And that there is the problem, that's the first choice that came to mind," Clark stated. "I have a good feeling Mirror Master will come back for this at some point, this and the Fortress of Solitude would be two of the first places he'd think to look which is why I'm going to take it elsewhere."
"What did you have in mind?"
"The less who know, the better," Superman said before turning for the exit on the opposite side of the room. "If anything comes up, alert me as soon as you can."
He gave him the thumbs up in acknowledgement.
"Will do Superman."
He walked out with nothing further to say, knowing his decision on where to take the golden ball of sealed energy could prove vital down the line.
…
After the announced scuffle in the yard of Konoha they made their way the infirmary in relative time. After placing the unconscious on the first bed on the right she wasted no time in giving her a quick examination.
"There's nothing irregular about her breathing, and her body temperature seems to be ok as well." Ino said pleased to inform.
"Well that's certainly good to know," Sakura said. "Perhaps all she needs is some rest."
"And well deserved," Kakashi commented. "If she hadn't been there who knows what would have happened."
"But just who were those people, they attacked without giving any clear reason as to why," Ino said. "It only makes matters worse that we learned virtually nothing about who they are outside of a pair of code names."
"That's not entirely true," Sakura said in response. "Shortly before they left that guy who did nothing but bark orders the whole time mentioned a 'CPU' whether he was referring to who they work for or something larger is up for debate, but either way it's something to go off in the least."
"I guess you're right." Ino said backtracking on her words.
"Kakashi-sensei, before you said you knew what they were after," Sakura referred back to. "What did you mean by that?"
"At first I was uncertain of what they were after, but as the bout dragged on it couldn't be any more clear," Kakashi detailed. "Their intent from the beginning was never to subdue me, but rather to test me."
"Test you for what?"
"That's just it, I haven't quite figured that one out," Kakashi admitted. "But one I figured that they're were merely studying me I played my cards conservatively, opting to learn as much as I could about them without revealing too much to them in return."
"I knew it, you were holding back the whole time." Ino happily shrilled.
"Even so, I still don't know what triggered them to leave," Kakashi admitted as he brought a hand to his chin. "It's actually quite bothersome, they had yet to fulfill their mission and yet they still left."
"Maybe they left because they couldn't fully study you with the condition your left arm was in at the time." Ino guessed.
"Studying someone when their handicapped can be just as informative about someone as when they are in full health," Kakashi noted. "I believe they're reasoning for leaving was related to something else entirely."
This brought a silence between them, each clearly trying to piece together the unfinished puzzle that now sat before them. Their thoughts on the matter however would be cut short by the entry of someone who walked in unexpectedly.
"Shikamaru-kun, what are you doing here?" Ino asked.
"I came as soon as I heard about the scuffle," Shikamaru answered. "What happened?"
"It's a long story, but the important thing everyone is ok." Sakura replied.
"What about Inoue-chan?" Shikamaru asked after spotting her upon one of the number of beds.
"Stable." Sakura took the liberty of informing.
The worried expression he had entered the room with quickly faded away after learning this.
"Phew.. that's good to know." Shikamaru sighed in relief.
"You said you came as soon as you learned about the situation, who was the one to tell you?" Kakashi asked out of curiosity.
"It was Tsunade-sama who sent me, we weren't given the full details of what happened so she sent me here to."
"No need to carry on," Kakashi kindly interjected. "I'll go and see her myself, I have no doubt she'll want a full explanation for what happened."
"And she'll in all likelihood want to hear from all who were involved," Sakura assumed. "Which means Ino-chan and I should probably come along as well."
"Then I should go as well, Shikamaru-kun will you be able to watch over Orihime-chan in our absence?" Ino inquired of him.
"Not that I wouldn't mind but I can't, after checking in on things here Tsunade-sama instructed me to head to the research lab to look into a specific matter," Shikamaru informed. "But don't worry Tenten should be here momentarily, she too was sent to the infirmary to check in on things here."
"That will work just as fine."
"Then let us not keep our lady waiting." Kakashi said before exiting out.
He was the first to step. The others did the same in the moments that followed. It was at that moment that something came to mind, prompting her to stop him in his advance into the opposite direction of where they were going.
"Shikamaru-kun, wait." Sakura called.
He stopped at the spoken.
"Is something wrong?"
"I have a favor to ask."
"Ok, what is it?"
"Since you're heading to the research lab there's something I want you to look into for me, a name." Sakura specified.
"Sure, I can do that," Shikamaru replied giving a nod. "What's the name of the person of interest?"
"Dosada, Tezlinar."
…
A number of two minutes passed since he found himself walking a path of a seven foot high dirt road.
"Just how far did this guy manage to get?"
After inquiring about this the sound of voices could be heard a short distance ahead.
"Could that be him?"
He was closing in on a two way intersection in the trench that would give him the option of going left or right. It took very little time for him to determine the voices were coming from the left. Moving in a stealthy matter he positioned himself close to the seven foot wall as he pressed forward.
"This is it."
He positioned himself as discretely as he could before slowly peaking around the corner to have his thoughts confirmed.
"It's him," Uryuu thought to himself as he gazed over at the target. "And it would appear he's rejoined with the woman he was with before."
He couldn't be any more pleased with the situation that presented itself. The question now became what to do next. As he hampered on that very decision conversation commenced between the two who had found their way to these trenches.
"It's about time you arrived, I was beginning to wonder if you misinterpreted the directions given to you earlier." The woman remarked who stood directly across from him.
"Did you file in a report to the boss?" He spoke in response completely bypassing the given shot.
"Yes of course, and soon as the update is relayed to him concerning our newly acquired lab rats we'll leave it to him to decide if we will move onto operation two."
"I would have expected no less."
There words sunk firmly into the binds of his mind.
"Lab rats.. operation two, what does it all mean," Uryuu mused. "It seems I was right in my assessment, there's more going on here than just a bunch of buried slayings we came across… but what?"
His hope was that he would soon learn just that.
"In the meantime P I want you to return to base, to ready the others." The woman ordered.
"For what?"
"It is time our call reached the ends of this world, our presence in the shadows has lingered on for long enough."
"Our leader feels this way as well?"
"I speak on his behalf." She confirmed.
"What about you my lady, will you be returning to base anytime soon?"
"I will not, my immediate travels will take me to the Land of Iron," She revealed. "I am due to take part in a, how should I say.. coming of age ceremony, one that will nominate the next branch of samurai."
"I imagine this all plays into the grand scheme of things?"
"Every move we make going forward is intertwined with our ultimate goal," She cemented. "So keep that in mind as we part ways."
She concluded that statement by turning into the opposite direction, a move which would seemingly put an end to this meeting. But with everything learned from his end his perspective on things changed.
"That woman addressed the guy as P, other than that I have no idea who the hell these guys are," Uryuu glued in mind. There was solid information learned by the exchanged words of the two, but at the same time brought a dose of questions to be asked. "If I were to take the two of them down like originally planned I might not ever get the full scoop of what's going on, clearly they are only two of a larger operation… what should I do?"
After only taking couple steps the woman in purple came to a complete halt.
"What is it?" P asked slightly taken back by this.
"I'm curious about something.."
This statement clearly came as a surprise.
"Curious about what?"
She glanced over her left shoulder to make eye contact with him once again.
"Why it took you so long to get here for our scheduled meet."
"I was only following proper protocol," P explained. "Making sure I wasn't being followed here was top priority."
"And were you?"
"Of course not."
After listening to the given response she turned around, facing him completely once again.
"If that's what you truly believe, then it would seem you've failed the first test of our leaders preaching's, the art of minding ones surroundings."
His eyes widened.
"You don't mean?"
"Yes, we have an uninvited guest."
There was no mistaking it in Uryuu's mind, he knew exactly what this meant.
"They know I'm here!"
To Be Continued