Damn it… Neji had backed into Kiba, Lee, and Hinata. Two giant snakes had encircled them, fangs barred. Shikamaru and Sakura were just going to have to wait.
Before the snakes could attack, Neji gave a quick radio message to Shikamaru.
"Anytime you want to come help is fine by me," he said. He knew Shikamaru wouldn't be able to answer if he was still fighting, but he would hear it.
"Fight just enough to get out, right?" asked Kiba. He was eyeing the fangs in his face.
"Change of plans," Neji replied. "Kill them, then help Shikamaru and Sakura. After that, return to Konoha.
"Got it," answered the other three in unison.
The snakes were summoned by chakra, so they had chakra running through their bodies. Hinata used her Byakugan, as did Neji, and they prepared to strike the snakes down with one hit. Unfortunately, doing that would use up the little chakra each had left. It was the only attack that would work. The scales were too thick for Lee to use anything other than Lotus, but that would kill him. Without Akamaru, Kiba couldn't use any jutsus except his man beast transformation.
One snake was spinning around the four of them, making the circle smaller with each turn. The other snake showed his fangs one more time before lunging at Lee. Lee skillfully jumped up and over. Kiba put his Ninjato into the ground to jump past the first snake's fangs. He had brought his short sword with him and swung at a foot long fang. The Ninjato made a clanging noise, but didn't leave any mark. Realizing this, Kiba fell back to the ground and jumped into a nearby tree to analyze quickly. Maybe it would be able to go through the tough hide. He jumped again, coming at a sideways angle to stab the snake in the neck. The sword barely made it in, but the snake noticed and turned his attention to Kiba. Hinata got her chance to give the fatal chakra punch to the snake's heart. She focused her chakra and swung her arm. It made contact and the snake lurched out one last time before falling to the ground, slowly because the bones had tensed from the shock.
Hinata felt the last of her chakra leave her body, and she lost consciousness. Kiba noticed and had to move quickly. The snake would crush her if she wasn't moved. He left the Ninjato in the snake's neck to get to Hinata. He got there just in time to pick her up and take her to relative safety. She groaned quietly when Kiba placed her down as gently as possible.
He looked over to the dead snake. It had landed on the Ninjato and Kiba wouldn't be able to get it back. The only weapons he had left were a few kunais and food pills.
Lee had just finished a back flip over the last snake to distract it long enough for Neji to hit it. He made contact, but hadn't passed out like Hinata had. He had slightly better chakra reserves, but was groggy. Lee helped his teammate walk over to Kiba and Hinata.
"Is she alright?" the concerned cousin asked Kiba.
"Yeah, she's fine. Just tired. Can you walk?"
"Give me a food pill, then I'll be able to."
Kiba reached into his bag and brought out a small round pill. He handed it to Neji who popped it in his mouth. After a few chews, and color was coming back to his face.
"You and Lee go help Shikamaru. I'll take Hinata and wait for you a mile from here. Orochimaru might not have realized his snakes are dead, so we have maybe half and hour before he sends someone else out. Radio in once you see Shikamaru." Neji picked up Hinata and left. Lee called Sakura this time.
"Sakura?" he asked.
No answer.
"Sakura." More urgently this time.
"Yes?" came the breathless reply.
"What's going on?" Lee and Kiba were already heading in her direction.
"Shikamaru got hurt."
The two exchanged a glance. Shikamaru never got hurt, he was always too far ahead.
"How?" Lee asked.
"I…I messed up. He got me out…of trouble…but something happened to him. I…don't know what…I can't get to him." Between so many words Lee could hear Sakura punch an enemy.
Lee clicked the radio and looked at Kiba. "Are we close?"
"Yeah, but Sakura's surrounded by fifteen of Orochimaru's men."
"Let's hurry then."
Finally been updated. I don't know how long it's been, but it's been a loooong time.
I like this chapter, but let me know what you think! R&R!
-wolf
