Chapter 6 : Playing the wrong game.
"You're a ninja" it wasn't a question. A figure stepped around in the shadows at the edge of the clearing. Almost the same height as Kakashi he moved like someone much younger, there didn't appear to be anyone else around, Kakashi new otherwise.
Kakashi hadn't expected to be spotted so quickly, but then again, he had just rushed straight towards the village. First things first, Hatake thought, threat assessment. Once he established how many ninja, and their rough ability he'd be able to decide how to handle the situation.
"What are you looking for?" the hidden ninja asked with a mocking tone Kakashi had heard a thousand times over. The clearing he stood in was only a few tens of yards in any direction, if need be he could off into cover in an instant. He decided not to answer.
"You heard the man," another voice added, somewhere off to the rear. "He wants answers." Their first mistake, Kakashi noted. Although Kakashi was aware of the hidden nin, announcing your advantage was always a bad idea.
The shadowed figure from the front dashed out of the shade, racing head long at Kakashi. The leaf ninja slid backwards and launched a rapid series of kunai. His attacker artfully dodged each of the blades in turn and was forced to launch himself over Kakashi and back into the trees on the other side.
Interesting.Kakashi noticed the lack of markings, so they didn't want their affiliation to be known either. Without moving or showing any outwardly signs, Kakashi tracked the two ninja. They were staying separate but always moving at the same time. Couldn't attack one without being open to the other, was the idea.
The first ninja burst from the shade again. Kakashi felt him before he saw him and moved: the attacker shunshined and lashed out at where the black clad Kakashi had been only a moment ago. Hatake slid to a stop under the shade of the trees and hurled a cluster of stars. The move was mirrored by his attacker and steel met steel in the middle.
Before the younger man could recover Kakashi executed a well practiced Silent Kill Jutsu appearing behind the off guard nin. Forearm resting on the shoulder of his prey the now black haired Jonin held his kunai just in front their throat.
"Don't move" Kakashi was about to start his interrogation when the second voice returned.
"So you've got some speed in you, eh?" the question was accompanied by a tagged kunai that forced Kakashi to release his prey and dodge. The blast kicked dirt in all directions and obscured one of the ninja for a moment.
The new attacker was waiting for him; the first kick almost caught Kakashi in face. As he ducked and landed an elbow on the red head the copy ninja spotted the original attacker joining the fray. Constantly moving to keep all three of them in a straight line, Kakashi ensured that both ninja couldn't attack him simultaneously.
Outnumbered but not outmanoeuvred, Kakashi Hatake watched as his Shadow Clone fought off both attackers. Resting against the tree he considered what he'd seen so far. The original failed Genjutsu, followed by the standard clone, normal clones couldn't deal damage, that explain why all it did was dodge. Unsatisfied with his response at least one of the ninja was forced to commit to an actual attack to assess his abilities. A Chunin level tactic, at least. The ease at which he was able to avoid the attack, the fact they hadn't spotted him clone the instant he was under the trees told him they were no Jonins.
As the second attacker, the redheaded cocky one finally landed a hit, Kakashi's shadow clone vanished in a puff of smoke and the two ninja glanced at each. As Kakashi stepped out from his hiding place and raised his hand casually to cut off the calls of 'who are you' and spoke.
"I'll ask the questions."
Tracking Kakashi Hatake was always going to be a hard task, Neji had thought. But to arrive in the coastal town, the first port of call when entering the land of Water and find that he had vanished completely? Hadn't seen that coming.
The Jonin passed a detailed description to anyone who would stop. He questioned shop owners, stall holders; he scoured the alleys asking beggars. In desperation he'd even tried the bathes and whore houses.
Not one single soul had seen him. Unsurprisingly he'd left no trail what so ever. The captain of the Arbitrary remembered seeing him board the ship, but hadn't seen him since. 'Sure as hell didn't see him get back off' he'd said, searched the ship good and proper just to make sure he wasn't stowed away anywhere.
Neji spent more than half of his day hunting a ghost. Resigned to defeat he decided he'd just have to find Team 14 alone, Hinata-kun had at least made it as far as the pickup point. So that village was as good a place to start as any.
Neji fixed the tie holding his long hair in a tail, and set off out of the docks. Hopefully he had increased his head start on the ANBU agents pursuing him, if not, well he'd deal with that when it came to it.