In ze previous chApter: With determination in her eyes she replied, her confidence lacing every word in a gentle whisper. "Let's go find Naruto."
Orochimaru peered into the room, watching Hinata sleep soundly. Kabuto had yet to return to report back. He sighed as he paced back and forth before flopping on the couch lazily. Everything is progressing so slowly. Where could Kabuto be? I want to get things moving as quickly as possible!
His eye's felt heavy. He needed to rest. With so many things on his mind he decided to focus on the possibility of Sasuke. The boy had never really adapted his train of mind. Even though he pulled him away from Naruto at such a young age, the impact the blonde ninja had exceeded his calculations. Despite the similarities and parallels Sasuke never did see eye to eye with him as he had hoped.
Light footsteps broke the silence. He slowly opened his eyes to see Kabuto had returned. Without much of a greeting Orochimaru remained on the couch and folded his arms at the medic ninja. "You're awfully late. Hinata already relayed to me what Aki said."
Kabuto bowed his head apologetically. The annoyance in his former master's voice was evident, his reprimand was more of a fatherly figure than agitation from being kept waiting. "My apologies. I went ahead and left to investigate any leads that could help us progress much faster."
Orochimaru's lips formed a satisfied smile on hearing such good news. That's Kabuto for you. Always taking self-initiative. "And?"
"I have found various witnesses saying Naruto has been spotted near what was formerly the Sound village and the Hot Spring Country. We are not too far behind. If that's the case perhaps Sasuke is not too far from him as well." He removed his glasses, rubbing his eyes. "If I may I suggest, we should make haste now. We have no time to wait for Konoha's reply concerning, Umeko was it? We should wake the girls immediately."
Orochimaru nodded in agreement. Even though Sasuke didn't quite come out as planned Kabuto to a certain degree did. Whether that was good or bad was questionable. Kabuto remained conflicted just as much as Orochimaru. "I'll go fetch them." Orochimaru stood walking toward the room. With luck, Hinata would be an even better result.
~~~...~~~
"Sasuke!"
In a flash two swords collided. The metals sending sparks that barely illuminated their feature in the dark night. The resonating metal was a chilling sound matching the temperature of the air. A white haired tanned shinobi fought against a black haired young man.
The black haired young man narrowed his black eyes as his arms wobbled dangerously, attempting to remain balanced on the bridge railing.
The other mans sharingan moved rapidly, the tan shinobi quickly moved to the side. Their blades struck the ground and using it as support he leaned his weight on his left hand bringing himself to a higher level and threw a punch-kick making the young man lose balance on the railings.
"Oh no! Hang on!" With a kunai thrown and in a flash of yellow light Naruto managed to kick the opponent away.
Quickly the black haired shinobi emerged from the boiling hot spring water. Exhausted he held onto one of the legs of the bridge. "No don't come after me! Go after him! We can't let him escape again!."
The white haired shinobi's hands were a blur as he cast a jutsu. Water Technique, TSUNAMI! The boiling hot water began to form a wall nearly reaching to the bottom of the bridge. He quickly dashed towards the end of the bridge disappearing into the forest that lay on the other side.
"Go Naruto!" The strength of the wave hit the young man like a train as he was unable to keep his grasp. The bridge began to rock violently as the support beams were crumbling under the force of the impact.
Naruto hesitated slightly, his teeth clenched and his knuckles turning white. He saw his friend emerge from the water desperately trying to cling onto the walls off the cliff. Finally he was able to get a firm hold and began to pull himself up. Despite the distance they were able to meet each other's eyes. Naruto gave him a nod before doing what he was told. "I won't let you get away again."
~~~~...~~~~
The four member squad stood there looking to the remains of the bridge. From their side it was completely obliterated with only the opposite having any remnants indicating there had been a bridge. Orochimaru churned the ground with the bottom of his foot. The ground is soft. They were here last night no doubt. We barely missed them by a few hours. "Well it would seem Naruto is still a every subtle shinobi. Jiraiya would be proud." Orochimaru deadpanned sarcastically.
Sakura glared at him from the side. "You know its really amusing. For someone who didn't care for the Pervy sage, you sure mention him a lot." She smirked mischievously at him.
Orochimaru returned the glare. "It's not amusing it's pathetic. Imagine only being able to talk about someone you could barely tolerate."
Neither Kabuto nor Hinata had a say in the matter. Hinata laughed quietly at the sassy retort as Kabuto began to climb down the side of the cliff. "At least we know we are right behind their foot steps."
Sakura folded her arms. "We are gonna walk across the hot spring? Are you crazy? It's bad enough we had to leave in the middle of the night, possibly desert Hinata's relative and you want to walk across the boiling hot water?"
Hinata sighed. "Well we don't have another choice. If we're in the right path its best to follow it rather than circle around and waste time. We could lose track of them." She followed behind Kabuto stepping where he had in order to keep herself from slipping on the walls.
Both Orochimaru and Sakura stood a moment watching the two as the seemed to uncaringly get closer and closer to the boiling water below.
"Hmmph, well after you snake." Sakura spoke through gritted teeth.
"I aaaah...I think I will wait here a bit before going down." Orochimaru began to untie his cloak. He looked extremely displeased with something as he began to fold, never removing his gaze from below.
Sakura noticed something was bothering him. "What...? Are you...afraid of heights?" Sakura mocked, repressing giggles.
"Of course not! Not even you can be THAT stupid. I just...need to mentally prepare." He groaned.
"Mentally prepare? For what!?" Sakura asked incredulously.
"Laugh all you want but Im easily affected by changes in temperature. Haha, get it? Because Im a snake." Orochimaru growled at the pink hair kunoichi.
Hinata looked up, overhearing the commotion. Once again Orochimaru and Sakura were having difficulty getting along. I wonder...was this how it was with Tsunade and Orochimaru too? She felt as Kabuto placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I suggest you intervene and help Orochimaru out a little. He's going to need a little bit of motivation."
It looked like Hinata didn't have much of a choice. She smiled warmly up at Orochimaru as she began to walk back up. "Uhhhm, its okay Sakura. Let's just switch now. You keep an eye on Kabuto and I'll keep an eye on Orochimaru. She patted her lightly on the shoulder trying to keep her smile as sincere as possible.
Sakura looked from Hinata to Orochimaru before sticking her nose up in the air and quickly jumping down to catch up with Kabuto.
"Come on. It's not that bad." Hinata waved for Orochimaru to follow her closely and both began to walk down. She heard as Orochimaru grumbled something but he spoke too low for her to make out what he said.
"Are you alright?"
Orochimaru's eyes shot at her as they narrowed a little, keeping focus on her. "Of course I am! What's with the question? It's Tsunade's bimbo that's the issue not me." He mumbled a little annoyed.
Hinata shrugged her shoulders and mentally rolled her eyes. They managed to join up with Kabuto and Sakura in a small landing. From the look on Kabuto's face it would appear Sakura had begun to complain about the elderly Sannin. Hinata wasn't going to be tolerating this kind of behavior from either of them today. They had to be as focused as possible for when they confront Naruto.
"I think both of you need to relax. Sakura how well did you sleep last night?" Hinata asked folding her arms with a smile on her face.
"Sleep? We woke up during the middle of the night! I only had a few hours." She answered bewildered Hinata would even ask such an obvious question.
"Peh, quit your complaining if this is getting too much for you just tell Tsunade to send a replacement for you and begone already." Orochimaru couldn't have said it any less rudely.
Forgive me Orochimaru but I have to do what I have to do. "Well...what about you Orochimaru-sensei? How long did you sleep?"
Hinata didn't have to say another word. Orochimaru's silence replied for him. He narrowed his eyes at Hinata before scoffing and looking away. If he could blush he probably would have been. At about the same instant Sakura also realized Hinata's insinuation. However, she held no sentiments for the Snake Sannin and refused to let him be.
"Well aren't you going to answer her? Eeeh?" Sakura mocked.
Orochimaru's eyes glared daggers at the pink haired kunoichi but it became apparent he wasn't going to say anything. He merely faced away from them.
"Come on Sakura don't instigate either. Let's just keep going." Kabuto chirped up.
With that settled the group began to cross the hot water and not a single complaint or word was exchanged. By the time they made it to the other side Orochimaru was practically drenched in sweat. His face remained pale and he looked rather sickly instead of flushed.
Sakura looked at him carefully, now seeing it clearly it probably was rougher on him with his temperature dilemma and possibly even less sleep than she had gotten. I suppose I could let him be in peace...just for today. She looked ahead into the forest, clenching a hand. If what they say is true and Naruto might be of help to us to find the culprit. Maybe Sasuke...I could see him again.
Falling a little behind Sakura and Kabuto, Hinata stayed beside Orochimaru as he breathed heavily from the heat. "If I didn't know you any better I would have never guess both you and Sakura suffered from awaking crankiness. Its rather funny." She giggled.
Orochimaru let out a small wheeze as he tried desperately to cool himself off. "Haha laugh all you want. I'll have you know Im not that big a pain to deal with compared to her."
Hinata began to skip ahead of him as she chuckled. "If you say so~!"
Orochimaru stood there a moment puzzled by Hinata. "What do you mean if I say so? I am not a pain! Definitely not! Am I?"
"Look! The sunrise is coming up!" Hinata pointed ahead of them. Indeed the sky was shifting its colors as the sun was slowly rising behind them.
All if them stood a moment to admire the brilliant red the sky was this morning. With renewed peace of mind they set out again with the sun walking beside them.
"Hey Hinata...you still haven't answered... my question."
New chapter up readers~! Stay Awesome! :3