Author's Note: Hey, Everyone! I'm sorry for the long, LONG delay! I hit a writer's block awhile ago and I didn't have time to continue my story because of family problems...I'm still having some problems, unfortunately BUT I have been writing this story up to five more chapters including this one! I'm sorry if my story doesn't make sense as in the Anime since I never finished Naruto and I have vague memories of it so you might noticed some differences in the story. I hope you enjoy and if you noticed any errors, please let me know!^^/

Rescue

Mugen, along with other Jonin shinobi were gathered in front of the Third Hokage as some of them are going to lead and guide their team of Genin who just graduated from the academy. Everyone knelt down in front of the old Hokage and he called out his subordinates' names. Asuma leads Team Ten, Kurenai with Team Eight, Team 7 for Kakashi and a team that is led by Guy and called it Team Guy. In his mind, Mugen gave his condolences to Guy's students. The man smirked when he heard Naruto's name in Kakashi's team, knew that he will be in good hands. "That is all, you are all dismissed except for you, Mugen." Said Hiruzen, earning a surprised look on Mugen's face.

"No way, am I going to get my own students?! Damn it, old man! I told you I don't wanna~!" He whined in his thought and gave the Hokage a nod. When everyone left except for both of them, Mugen quickly crawled to Hiruzen's feet. "Please, Gramps! I don't want to lead a team! You know I always being solo, right?!" He said, in a begging position. The Third Hokage was surprised by his actions and knocked him on his head to silence him. "Enough with your nonsense! Are you going to be solo until you die then?!" He said and a vein popped out on Mugen's head. "What was that, old man?!"

Hiruzen inhaled his pipe and blew out a puff of smoke. "Relax, I'm not assigning you to a team because there were just enough students for Kakashi and the rest. I'm going to send you as reinforcement." He said and piqued Mugen's interest. "Sure, I'll take it. Who am I going to help?" He asked with a smirk on his face and slammed his fist into his palm. "Anko." The Third simply said and Mugen dropped his hands, looking down. "I know about you two's history with each other but put that aside and help her and get the mission done." He said before he let out another puff of smoke from his pipe.

"Can't you ask someone else? I know there are a few Jounin are out on missions but there are still a few more in the village." Mugen asked and the third sighed. "I know but you seemed perfect for this. No buts! Go, that's an order." He said and Mugen gave him a nod before he walked out of the office. Mugen was making his way back to his apartment to get ready. He sighed and thought, "It's not like I dislike her. In fact, she was the first person that I get along with when I was little. We were best friends and she introduce me to Kakashi and the others. Haha, she was so cheerful and hyper…until that day when she as kidnapped and become Orochimaru's experiment…"

Mugen received flashes of memories when he along with Kakashi, Guy, Kurenai and Asuma went out of the village to rescue their friend. He shook his head and he remembered her condition when he found her. Orochimaru's lab was like something from a nightmare. Bodies, blood, broken flasks and scrolls. Younger Mugen stood there with other Jounins and a couple ANBUs. His attention was caught when he noticed two bodies in the pile, they were Anko's teammates. One of them was a Hyuuga and everyone gasped to see he doesn't have his eyes, Orochimaru removed them.

Mugen picked up some extra blades for healing and jumped out his room through his apartment. The Jounin jumped on building to building, heading to the village gates. The two Jounins that were stationed at the big gates were surprised when they saw something jumped in front of them and through the gate. "O-Oi! You have to sign first before you head out! Damn it, how many times…" One of them said and stomped his way back into the boot with his comrade. "Actually, I think they already did. Or 'he' to be exact." Said the other Jounin and showed him the log. They both chuckled, "He always likes to do everything fast as if he was in a hurry. That Mugen bastard."

After a few hours of jumping from branch to branch, Mugen stopped and turned his head to the tree trunk next to him. There were a few small insects swarming on the trunk and he immediately knew what they were. The bugs led him to an injured Aburame. "Hey, Muta! I got here as fast as I can!" Said Mugen and he wasted no time stabbing the wounded shinobi with his healing blade. The Aburame groaned in pained, "Damn it, Mugen! At least give me a warning or time before you stab me!". "Which is more important? Your life or luxury?!" Mugen yelled back at him and they both went quiet.

"So, what are dealing with?" Mugen asked in his serious tone as he was worried to about the other two members of Muta's team. "We got ambushed by the Sound…and what made things worse, they made a deal with the Cloud to give a Hyuuga to them as a sign of alliance for some sort.." He said and stopped to drink water that was given to hime by Mugen. "And I'm guessing they are still here, looking for you?" Mugen asked and received a nod from him. He stood up and cracked his knuckles. "Alright, stay hidden and gather your strength. I'll give our buddies some sleep." He said and pulled a few ninja tools.

"He couldn't have gone that far! Hurry before he managed to call reinforcements!" One of the Sound Jounin yelled to his comrades while jumping from branch to branch. "Yeah, a little too late for that, Captain-San." Mugen said as he jumped out from the trees and punched the shinobi in front of him, sending him flying until they heard a loud thud in the distance. While the others caught by surprise and was about to attack their enemy, Mugen swung his blade at them. All four of them guarded themselves with their arms until they slowly noticed nothing happened to them. "Ha! Was that suppose to do something?!" "Some useless reinforcement you are- Argh!" One of them started screaming in pain.

The Sounds' teammates looked at their comrade screaming in agony before falling to the ground. Then, another started screaming until they were all on the ground. Mugen was playing with his blade while looking down at them. "Aw, you've hurt his young man's feelings…that's not nice." He said with a chuckle and looked at the bugs crawling on his blade. When he swung his blade at the Sound ninjas, he launched the bugs at them and they started sucking out their chakra until there was nothing left. "Hope that is enough to get Muta on his feet." He said and watched the bugs flew back to their master. Mugen heard an explosion near where the Aburame was rested and knew that some of the ninjas went around the battle between him and the Sound. "Gotcha."

Anko was long awake and she already knew that she have got tied up. She recognized the tent as it was the same one she used to spy on the Sound ninjas. In front of her were more Sound ninjas and a a couple of ninjas from the Hidden Cloud. "Hey, you pieces of shits! Where and what did you do to my teammates?!" She asked loudly and doesn't care to insult them despite being vulnerable. One of the Sound punched her at her stomach, making her bent her body over and coughed. "Know your place, woman. Don't get all high and mighty just because you were Lord Orochimaru's test subject. He doesn't mind if he hurt you, as long as you are alive and intact." He said and walked away from the kunoichi. Anko growled at them and spit out some of her blood to the side, frustrated being useless and for letting herself as well as her team, captured.

Then, the ground under her shook and a loud noise came from the distance. "What the hell was that? The enemy?!" One of the Sound ninjas said. "Hmph, if you don't resolve this then our deal is off." The Cloud ninja said. "I know! I'm handling it! What are you idiots waiting for? Go, already!" He shouted to his men and they quickly ran out from the tent.

"Ah! Argh! C-Captain-!" Screams were heard outside of the tent and the captain of the Sound ninja pulled out his kunai to defend himself. "Hey, Cloud ninjas! Back me up!" He said and got no response. He turned to see that the ninjas had left him and the fainted Hyuuga that was lying on the ground. "Shit…!" The man cursed. Mugen appeared behind the man and put one blade near his throat while the other at his side. "Shit indeed, my friend. Night night." He said and hit his head, made him fall unconscious.

Anko was surprised to see him of all people. She turned her head away, avoiding eye contact from her once best friend. "Hey." Mugen greeted but didn't get no reply as kneel down in front of her, cutting the rope. She rubbed her wrist and looked up to see a hand. "Come on, Princess. We're outta here." He said, gave her a smirk. Anko closed her eyes as she got up by herself and walked out of the tent. "Hey, Muta! Are you out there?" She yelled out. Mugen sighed and picked up Tokuma, carrying him over his shoulder.

"Anko-San..I'm glad that you're alright." Said Muta, resting while leaning against a tree. Anko walked up to him to help him walk but she flinched from the pain in her stomach. She hissed and put her hand over her injuries. "You hurt, aren't you? Sit your ass down and let me heal you." Mugen said as he walked up to them and put Tokuma against the tree. "No need. I need to hurry and report to Lord Hokage." She said, stubbornly.

"That can wait, Anko. Your teammates are hurt so shut it and rest." He said while kneeling next to Muta, healing his injuries by using his blade. Anko was reluctant but decided to give in for her teammates' sake.