Disclaimer: See previous chapters.
A/N: Yeah, it has been far too long, but less than a year, so…/hides/
Narration
"Speaking"
Thoughts
Chapter 4
Our spastic group of heroes has now been reunited and it hiding out in the ENRS.
Sasuke leaned against the wall of their small shelter. He had never been one for running, let alone to simply hide. Sighing, the young avenger turned to his companions. "We need a plan to defeat these squirrels once and for all." The others all nodded in agreement.
"Maybe we could find their base and attack them there," suggested Sakura, still pulling twigs out of her bubblegum pick hair.
"But love," replied Lee, "we don't know where that is. The squirrels were not foolish enough to hold you hostage at their own base." Sasuke glared at the floor. It had been a half decent idea, especially coming from the pink-haired bimbo.
"I know!" Uh-oh, thought Sasuke. Naruto had never been one for coming up with plans, but in a situation this…ridiculous, he might be the only one who could.
"What about a challenge? Leader Squirrel likes to fight, and he seems to have something personal against you, Sasuke. So why don't you go fight him. If you taunt him enough, he's sure to make a mistake that'll let you win!" Sasuke stared.
"That might be the most intelligent thing you've ever said." Naruto blinked at his rival.
"Really?"
"We'd have to raise the stakes a bit," continued Sasuke, ignoring the blonde's question. "I doubt he'll fight just for the heck of it."
"What; like loser surrenders?" asked Sakura, finally twig free.
"It is a good plan, but extremely risky." The small group turned to look at Lee. "If we win, we are simply carefree. But if you lose, Uchiha Sasuke, then the entire village will be controlled by psychotic rodents."
"Nice pep talk," muttered the avenger, "but it's not like we have any other choice. I just can't lose." Silence descended over the entire group. Never being one for the quiet, Naruto spoke up.
"We are taking this a bit seriously. It SQUIRRELS!! Even if we lose, the rest of the village can just spray raid or something and they'll all have to leave."
"This is a bit idiotic," mumbled Sakura.
"I know!" added Lee, holding up a pack of papers. "Through out this entire story, I get beat up by squirrels while Uchiha saves the day. I am just as good as he is."
"Where did you get that?" Lee stared at the three curious shinobi in front of him.
"Heh heh…no where…"
zzz
Dusk found our young heroes crouched on the top of the academy. Peering over the edge, Sakura gasped.
"How could a bunch of squirrels gain control of the village that quickly? We're ninjas for Kami's sake!" The three males looked at her.
"Who?"
"Never mind," snapped Sakura, "how do we get our message to them?" The four genin sat in contemplative silence for a few moments.
"I have got it!" announced Lee minutes later. "Does any one have paper and pen?" Naruto dug through his jacket pockets before producing the requested items.
"How many pockets do you have, Naruto?" asked Sakura, amazed. Naruto grinned but didn't reply.
"There!" Handing back the pen to Naruto, Lee produce a Shruiken of his own and attached the small paper to it. Turning, the boy threw the weapon as hard as he could, a solid thunk letting him know it had hit his target.
"Alright, since that's done, can we go?" asked Sasuke. He had better things to do than any of this, but waiting for a rodent to find a piece of paper was definitely at the bottom of even that list.
"OK," chorused the others and the four shinobi took off.
Meanwhile, on the Squirrel Side…
Leader Squirrel was at the end of his (very short) rope. They were running out of time and The Master would not be pleased if they failed. Shivering, Leader Squirrel thought back to the last time they had failed, many moons ago…
"Leader Squirrel! Leader Squirrel! I've got a message from the resistance!" Scout Squirrel 58 Cowered under the thunderous glare from his leader, but stood his ground none the less.
"Well, what does it say?" demanded Leader Squirrel.
"I dunno, Sir, it's addressed to you." Handing over the scrap off paper, Scout Squirrel 58 dashed away, breaking every land-speed record to date. Scowling at the cowardice of his army, Leader Squirrel unfolded the note.
Hello Leader Squirrel,
I, Uchiha Sasuke, challenge you to a Ninja Duel! If you lose, then you must leave our village as quickly as you can. If I lose, then the village is yours to command and we will hand ourselves over to you willing. Meet me by the Oak Tree near the edge of the woods at dawn. This duel will end this once and for all. Accept, if you dare.
Uchiha Sasuke
Leader Squirrel stared at the note, reading it through twice more before grinning wickedly. So the fool is going to confront me. Well, that will certainly make this much easier. Folding the note back up, Leader Squirrel motioned for one of the nearby recruits.
"Send a message to the resistance. We accept!"
TBC
A/N: Why this took so long to write, I will never understand, but here is the second to last chapter (if all goes as planned). I must confer with my co-author to decide the fate of this whole mess.