The six ANBU had gathered at the gate to break up into teams. Akamaru wasn't with Kiba since it was a reconnaissance mission. The big dog might make them lose their stealth, even if he was a good asset in battle.
Shikamaru stood in front of the other five. "Neji, you and Lee will be on one team." They had been on the same team for five years now, and would work well together.
Neji nodded, and Lee tried to contain his excitement. Being ANBU meant not showing quite as much emotion as before.
"Kiba and Hinata will be together," said Shikamaru, his voice slightly muffled through the mask. Kiba smiled behind his mask; Hinata muttered a quiet 'hai.' "And then me and Sakura. We'll be traveling together, but in case of attack, we'll split. Once we reach the Sound Village, break into the pairs and surround Orochimaru's. Here are the radios we'll be using."
Everyone yelled a quick 'hai!' Shikamaru may still have been their friend, but he was also their captain.
He reached into his vest and pulled out six wireless radios. "Here," he said passing them out. Each black op removed their masks and put the radios on.
"Ready?" asked Shikamaru.
They nodded.
"Let's move."
The six took off at an amazing speed. Being ANBU meant higher levels of training and justus. No one spoke during the trip. ANBU also meant stealth. The only time someone needed to speak was because of attack, or if they absolutely needed to. And everyone was worried for their friend. For someone like Naruto to not come back from a mission was a worst case scenario.
It took three days, but they were just outside off Orochimaru's. Neji and Lee went to the east side, Kiba and Hinata to the west, then Shikamaru and Sakura to the north. There weren't any windows, so they would have to very carefully make holes just big enough for them to fit through. Each team took out a drilling tool, making a sixteen diameter hole. They straightened out their Ninjato and fell silently through the hole. The second fell, closing the hole with an illusion technique behind them. They heard Shikamaru's voice in their ears.
"You know where the cells are. Head that way. Remember, just reconnaissance. If you do see anyone, get out. If they see you, Neji and Hinata use Byakugan. Sakura will help me. Out."
Neji and Lee ran through the hallway they had landed in. Judging from what Neji could see, a large number of people were being held in a room below them. But they couldn't just literally drop in. It would take longer, and possibly be more dangerous, but they would have to find a staircase.
Kiba hear footsteps in front of him. "Hinata. Ahead."
She formed the seals. "It's Lee and Neji. And they're going down. They found the stairs."
Kiba nodded. They kept heading down their hallway, making sure to listen for anyone that might be coming. Assuring themselves it was clear, they went down the steps. Kiba was going fast, and so was Hinata to keep up. Kiba ran into Lee, and Hinata into Kiba. Neji had himself braced and kept them from falling into the group of prisoners. He was looking around at the chakras.
"He's not here," he said so that the others had to strain to hear. "I didn't expect him to be. We should check the labs." He turned to leave and nearly fell over when he saw how close everyone was to him. He narrowed his eyes and they backed off, letting him lead the way.
At the door leading to the labs, Neji used his Byakugan. "His chakra's not in here either. Hinata, help me look for him."
Both Hyuugas used their bloodline limits, stretching them to the farthest.
"I found him," said Hinata. "And…" She strained it a little. "And he's with…two more people. We should be able to meet them if we head in…that direction. There aren't any turns." She pointed to her left.
"Right. Let's go." Neji turned to follow Hinata. Lee and Kiba did the same. Neji turned on his radio. "Shikamaru?" There was no answer. "Shikamaru?" He looked at the others. The slightest bit of worry showed on his face. "He won't answer."
"Hurry then," said Lee.
When they got to Naruto, they tried to dispel the illusion, but nothing changed. And no one knew they were here anyway, so why would someone have put up and illusion in the first place? Hinata looked at Kiba, who looked at Lee, who looked at Neji, who was actually surprised. His mouth was hanging open and his eyes were wide.
Laughter echoed through the halls. But it was laughter of friends, not enemies. The four ANBU used most of their chakra to just keep themselves to the walls. Naruto was there. But so was Sasuke. And Orochimaru. The two pale faced ones were talking about something, while Naruto laughed at their story.
"We have to leave. Now," Kiba stated, his eyes still on the three. Lee nodded, and Neji was already drilling the hole. He was interrupted by Shikamaru's voice.
"We ran into some trouble. Can't talk much." That was all he said. Neji told them what was said, being as quiet as possible.
The hole was done. They jumped through it, landing on the ground not quite as easily as before. Kiba heard the sound of fighting to his right.
"They're this way," he said. He started to walk, but froze. "I can hear snakes behind me." Now Orochimaru knew about them.
Neji cursed. "Let's find Shikamaru and Sakura, and leave as soon as possible." How did this get so complicated?
Sorry this not my best, and it's short, but I'm about to sleep, so yah...
Will be better next time!
-wolf
