Title: A Sparrow's Adventure
Summary: Where a little Sparrow gets in some trouble and it's up to his friends to help him.
What's Happening: Can Kakashi get Iruka back before Karasu can give them the slip? Will Tsunade make them withdraw the search?
Disclaimer: I… uh... forgot to do this with the past chapters… DON'T SUE ME! I OWN NOTHING EXCEPT THE IDEA! D: ~And Kakashi's brother… Muahahaha! :D~
Author's Note: Aha! I've updated again! It's like midnight now sooo. xD On with Chapter Three! :D
Iruka's POV:
"Here, we're sleeping here for tonight." Karasu said, carelessly throwing me on the ground. I mentally growled, 'I need to get away from him. Before we get to Orochimaru's hideout…' I managed to upright myself from the uncomfortable position I was in and scooted over to where I rested my back on a tree. 'He's not worried about covering scents? Why? There has to be a reason…' I thought then it hit me, 'He's got Orochimaru on his side! He probably doesn't care that they're following him. It could be a trap for them as well… I hate this!' I looked up at the tree across from me, which was where Karasu was probably sleeping. I seeped some of my chakra inside the tree, Pakkun would know to look for my chakra, I taught him the trick awhile back when Kakashi and I first started dating. Suddenly I knew how to –possibly- get away. I focused on my chakra and summoned a small kiwi bird, it's long beak would be perfect for the cuffs keyhole. Along with it's small brown body blended in perfectly with the scenery, plus it could run amazingly fast. The bird spotted the cuffs and immediately went to work. I heard a small click and flinched visibly, looking up at the tree nervously. Nothing… good. Soon enough another small click was heard and my eyes quickly flicked up to the tree, no movement. I signaled the bird to perch on my shoulder, and very quietly whispered instructions to it. Soon enough it silently took off running quickly through the forest undergrowth gracefully. I breathed a sigh of relief until I heard…
Tsunade's POV
"Oh my…" Shizune murmured from the corner of the room, while reading the letter."Yes… They've gotten themselves in a mess. Again." I said bitterly. "What action should we take?" Shizune questioned, sounding about half as troubled as I was. "I have not one clue." I admitted dejectedly. "Try and talk out all your options… maybe it will help you figure out which is best…" she said trying to be of help. I sighed and placed my elbows on my desk, folded my hands and rested my nose on the top of my hands, "Fine… If I withdraw the team, Kakashi will be of no doubt ticked, and I would lose one of my finest academy teachers, Anbu members, and the last Umino in Konoha and I hate having to abandon people. So that's a no… However, if I send another three-man back-up squad then I could lose a total of seven Anbu members because this is Orochimaru we're talking about… so that's also a no." "Which," Shizune broke in, "means you will just have to entrust the situation with the team currently out there. However, that would also mean you could lose Konoha's best Taijustu master only next to Rock Lee, Konoha's only, current, Wood-Style user, and the last Hatake." "Shizune…" I said leaning forward with a leer in my eyes, "Why did you say current like that?" Shizune's face resembled a tomato, "I… uh… um… may… need some time off…?" she stuttered out. Despite the circumstances, I couldn't help but grin and laugh like the maniac I was, which only embarrassed the poor girl farther. I became serious though and she followed suit. "So, my only choice is to let them handle it?" Shizune sighed, "That is what it seems." I pulled out a piece of paper and began to write my orders.
Beast, Mouse, and Hound.
Your new objective is to rescue Sparrow. I'm afraid I cannot send a back-up squad. However, Hound, you are the captain, and you have not failed me once before in this sort of mission, but you weren't going against Orochimaru. I'm trusting you to have clear judgment as to when things become too dangerous. You have two weeks to return, and I want the coordinates of the hideout's location if possible. That is all. Good luck.
Your Hokage.
"Shizune." I called quietly, "Send this back to Beast using his messenger turtle please." "Of course," she said, "Oh, Jiraiya has returned from his mission to gather Intel about Pein. His report read that he was able to gather some information, however he came into Konoha in critical health, they've stabilized him without needing to contact you. They want you to check on him though, just to make sure everything's alright." I sighed in mixed relief and sadness, that had been one of the things putting my mind on edge. "Very well, thank you," I replied, standing up. 'Now to go knock some sense into the man for being so stubborn….'
Kakashi's POV
"Pakkun! Did the trail go cold?" I questioned. "No… but we found something come down here," he replied sounding very unsure. I jumped down from the tree branch, keeling beside of Pakkun. The dog was hunched over the body of a small brown bird. I quickly, but gently, picked the small creature up. It was knocked out, but very much breathing. I sighed in relief, Iruka would be sad if one of his birds were to die on one of his missions. Then again, I had a nervous feeling, if Karasu found the bird and knocked it out then he must have punished Iruka for summoning it. If he still had the traits of Mizuki… The bird's eye opened and he blinked at Kakashi before the bird asked, with a surprisingly deep voice for a bird, "What's the password? Don't you dare make fun of my voice either." Kakashi gulped and looked at the bird. "Iruka never told me a password…" Pakkun looked at him, smiling the best a dog could manage. Pakkun happily sang, "The dogs know something Kakashi doesn't~ " The bird stood up in my palm it's tiny feet scrabbling on the surface of my glove. "Very good, that is correct," the bird replied. I mentally groaned. "Iruka said, and I quote, ' We are heading north still, and I'm making an attempt of escape as soon as my bird leaves. Kakashi, do not treat this mission any differently than your other search and rescue. Yamato has a child on the way and I don't want it to suffer because of me. Gai has a girlfriend as well, but you didn't just hear those two things from me… I love you.' That was the message, however his captor found me and knocked me out, I don't know what he did to Iruka though." The bird looked sad. "You did good, you can rest." I said dismissing the bird. I sighed and looked at Pakkun, "What kind of mess did we get into this time?" The dog simply looked at me sadly, "I have no clue."
Okay~ So... last update of the night. :3 Thank you Kick-Aft and Heart's Promise for reviewing! :D