Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto only my characters.

As always a big thank you to my Beta cheekylips.

A/N: This chapter flips back and forth a lot so at the suggestion of one of your fellow readers, (Thank You!) I have tried to give a longer pause by adding [] between scenes. Hope it helps.

Chapter 29 Lost and Found

The days after his departure were in fact hard on her and had it not been for her daily routine, Maiha would have never left the apartment. Consumed by worry her consciousness had gone dormant and she walked aimlessly around the village in a daze before coming out of the initial stage of shock. The days were drawn out by waiting and the nights were cold and lonely without him. Her soul searched for peace and her mind solace, it was the hope in her heart that held everything together. She grasped at her neck for Ai's pendent to comfort her only to touch the bare skin it had once laid upon. Maiha took in a deep breath followed by a long drawn out exhale attempting to calm the tormenting thoughts brought about by the unknown. "We are shinobi, it's what we do. Dangerous missions are part of the job." She looked up to the sky hoping her voice would reach beyond the clouds. "I have faith. He will return to me. Ai please watch over him."

[]

Maiha pushed forward by taking missions trying to return to some form of normalcy. For the time being, it helped occupy her mind as she awaited Kakashi's return. His departure had affected everything about her and in his absence her regular chipper attitude became more downcast, though with the help of a few observant kunoichi she came back around. Maiha spoke nothing of the night Kakashi had said goodbye keeping it to herself not only for the sake of the mission, but to avoid reopening the deep, jagged wound. Though Maiha would not freely admit to anything, the girls knew something plagued her emotionally. One of her tells, a fake smile, would accompany a quick redirection when any topic of discussion involved him, even indirectly. Other clues were made just as obvious; he had not been seen in quite a while and considering their general connection there was most likely a correlation between his absence and her sensibility tipping them off to her distress. Unconditional support was what she needed, and it was given no questions asked.

While the girls kept up Maiha's spirits, Genma watched over her as promised and checked in with her often, almost too often. She had noticed his sudden vigilance and before long brought it to his attention by cornering him after returning from her latest mission on the way out of the Hokage tower.

"Hey Maiha, great to see you back in town. Looks like you had another successful mission, though escorts typically aren't difficult when they only send one shinobi." Genma seemed caught off guard from her direct approach as he stumbled over the words that rushed out of his mouth.

Maiha looked him over quickly with an inward smile, "Yeah it was pretty uneventful." He had slipped up and his apprehensive tone supported her assumption. Only the Hokage and her immediate advisors would know intricate mission details no matter what rank. As a bodyguard to the Hokage, Genma could call the tower his second home, he would hear information and kept it in confidence but still he would only know so much without digging deeper, much deeper. This was her opportunity to question his 'attentiveness' and Maiha wasted no time jumping at the chance.

"Genma, did Kakashi ask you to check up on me?" she inquired sincerely raising an eyebrow.

"Uh… um… uh..." he stammered not expecting the question rolling the senbon quickly across his lower lip to the opposite side of his mouth. Realizing he was caught, he exhaled and replied simply, "Yeah."

The confirmation was comforting. Kakashi understood the vacancy he had left her with and made sure support was at the ready if she needed it. A small smile appeared on her face, "It's okay Genma, Kakashi has always been a little overprotective of me, and now I shouldn't expect anything different."

Genma's eyebrows knitted close together in thought making it obvious that he was lost in their conversation.

Maiha's smile grew wider. Being one of Kakashi's closest friends, she led him to the truth about their relationship. Tilting her head slightly to the side she began, "He just asked you to look after me didn't he?" She paused shortly before continuing her words slightly tinged with sarcasm, "And let me guess, he was extremely vague as usual not giving you a particular reason."

Still puzzled, Genma tried to sort everything out. Kakashi's parting request quickly flashed in his head, and now this conversation between him and Maiha. "Yeah, I know you two are close, so I just figured…" he stopped and flinched as too what she was alluding to slapped him across the face. Kakashi's words weren't a simple friendly request they were endearing. "Wait... you and Kakashi are?"

"Together," Maiha's eyes brightened as she finished his sentence a slight blush tinting her cheeks. "He told me before he left."

"Oh," Genma drew out a little more melancholy and the surprise from the news dissipated.

Maiha's smile faded somewhat but she assured him that considering the circumstances she was doing well. "I understand, Genma. He came to see me in his ANBU armor. I think of him every day, say a little prayer for him every day that he will return to me. Some days are difficult but I know he would want me to carry on."

He placed a hand on her shoulder, "You're right he would, but if you need anything Maiha, don't hesitate to ask, okay?"

"Thanks Genma," she took a step forward and gave him a small hug before heading home.

[]

There were no comforts for ANBU shinobi, no tents, no sleeping bags, those were considered luxuries. Sleep was caught in intermittent sessions either standing or sitting usually leaning up against a solid object or a barricade. Kakashi was exhausted from being on high alert during every waking moment for such extended periods of time. There was a substantial difference between regular duty and ANBU missions and it would defiantly take some re-acclimatization. However, when he got a reprieve he slept, and when he slept he would dream allowing thoughts of her to enter his mind. His memories of that night, the way she looked at him, her touch, her voice and her smile. It picked him up, pushed him forward and kept him going.

"Captain Hatake."

"Commander," Kakashi stood at attention and nodded.

"We have devised a strategy for our next movements. Squad Two will be moving in. Have your men meet at command promptly."

"Yes Commander." Kakashi turned and immediately made his way over to the grouping of shinobi and called his squad to attention. "Squad Two report to command immediately."

"Yes Captain Hatake."

After the mission commander briefed Squad Two, he informed the rest of the battalion on the new strategy. "Squad Two will be departing this evening and will be entering enemy territory as common shinobi. You will shed your ANBU masks here. The objective; to be captured alive in order to infiltrate the core of the organization. From there you will destruct their establishment and the group before returning to base command. You are a very skilled well versed group. I have the utmost confidence in your success. Departure will be in thirty minutes."

The Commander turned to Kakashi as the other shinobi left to prepare. "Captain Hatake, you have been chosen for your skill as well as your reputation. Most likely capturing you will give them a sense of gratification boosting their egos enough to become sloppy and overconfident impairing their judgment."

He nodded, "I understand, Commander." He was bait. Kakashi would lead his men into harm's way, become a prisoner and then hope to escape with his squad intact by destructing the organization from the inside. The danger level had been elevated as there was little information known about the heart of the group. Going in blind was always risky, but then he knew that from his younger days; going in blindly was second nature to him then, the years before Ai, Team 7 and before Maiha. There was so much more to lose now, but duty called.

Before their departure Kakashi sought out a trustworthy ANBU member. "I need you to take this for me." He opened his hand and took one last look at her necklace before handing it over. "I need you to return it to Maiha for me." The ANBU member nodded as he closed his hand over the pendant. Shortly after, Squad Two shed their masks placing them in a pile at command and in the cover of night Kakashi led his squad into enemy territory, put up enough resistance for deception and were taken captive, setting the plan into action.

Upon capture all squad members were imprisoned separately and chained to the wall, hands extended over their heads forcing them to stand. All were fitted with chakra control collars secured with an explosive lock that could only be opened by a specific key carried by the guards. The lair was protected by a strong chakra barrier, those inside, including organizational members, would not be able to tie into their chakra network to use jutsu. Considering the notable skill of the captives, the collars were an added insurance.

Kakashi took in his surroundings contemplating the situation as morning came. Can't use jutsu, shackles are too tight to slip out of, chains too strong to break. His mind was speeding through all the barriers to escape when suddenly he was pulled out of deep thought as his ear caught the sound of footsteps approaching. They stopped in front of his door, a few moments later a jingling of keys, the lock turning and then the large heavy wooden door creaked open.

"The Great Copy Ninja, captured." A familiar young man snickered as he strutted toward Kakashi.

Kakashi spoke his name in disgust, "Anzai, Kumori."

"The one and only," he boasted on Kakashi's acknowledgement. "The village screwed up this time, sending in one of their most valuable. Then again, they really had no idea about this little plan we cooked up and with you here almost all of the Leaf's strongest shinobi are out on missions."

How would he know about the village's shinobi attendance? Kakashi tried to force him to give up more information by directly insulting him,"A small group of half rate ninja against an entire village, you're a little over confident aren't you?"

"Tsh, she underestimated my reach, we are not all of what you see here. That blonde bitch will regret the day she decided to revoke my status." His words seethed with hatred recalling his order of exile.

Kakashi quickly realized the threat to Konoha was much more serious than first thought. It infuriated him that this piece of trash shinobi standing before him had formulated a plan not only threating the village's safety but had deceived the strategists and through branching out the organization baited the military to send out most of its ANBU squads and skilled shinobi. The village was tremendously vulnerable and he could do nothing to stop it. Kakashi spoke as his eyes narrowed, "So you betray Konoha all because of some reprimand the Hokage handed down? You were careless, a loose cannon. Your actions got many of your fellow shinobi killed, and all for nothing. Their blood is on your hands. You deserved what you got."

Anger rushed through the former leaf ninja's body and redness tinted his face with Kakashi lecturing him just as Tsunade had. "You were always a smug bastard," Kumori growled as he charged at Kakashi driving a knee into his midsection following it up with a few blows to his face. Once he was satisfied with the results of his brutality Kumori continued his aggression through verbal attacks. "You shouldn't be so concerned with the village Hatake, after all they can't help you now, you should be thinking more about yourself."

"That would make me a selfish coward like you," Kakashi returned the insult with one of his own as he labored for breath the wind having been knocked out of him.

A wicked grin crept across the young shinobi's face knowing he still had the upper hand and mocked Kakashi finishing their conversation with something that would surely grind salt into his wounds. "Humph, I won't let them suffer… too much. Maybe I'll even spare that little black haired girl that follows you around. It'll be amusing to watch her suffer at the loss of her dear sweet friend." Kumori let out menacing laugh as he turned and walked out the door locking it behind him.

Kakashi, minus his mask, spit out the thickened saliva that had pooled in his mouth bloodied from the blows inflicted. He pulled at the chains that confined him, Damn it! We're locked up tight in here. The village is in danger, my squad...Maiha.

Things couldn't have gone more wrong and there was no way of informing the rest of the battalion about Kumori's plan. Squad Two would have to hold out and endure whatever captivity brought. If they didn't return command would devise another plan, he just hoped they would make the move before the organization attacked Konoha.

[]

Back in the village Maiha went about her morning route stopping at the training field. The wind swirled around her bringing comfort as it swept over her skin. The peacefulness of the moment was broken by an abrupt almost violent change in wind direction whipping through the branches of the trees. That's odd, usually wind current doesn't change so suddenly. It brought on an ominous heavy feeling. She shook it off trying to ignore anything that would bring unpleasant thoughts. Though as the day wore on she became more and more unsettled from the feeling that sudden wind gust gave her. Superstition always in the back of her mind, worry started to creep in and tore away at her. That evening, after dark, Maiha made her way to his apartment. While he was gone, when she hit her lows, sleeping in his bed was as close as she could get to being with him, and in those times it was her only comfort.

[]

That same evening the missions Lieutenant informed Tsunade of the development as he entered her office with a mission report. "Lady Hokage, it seems that the mission has gone awry. Squad Two has not returned and it has been two weeks from deployment."

Tsunade's eyebrows furrowed "Damn it!" Her thumb immediately went to her mouth biting on what nail was left, having been worn down since the mission began. She sat behind her desk deep in thought a few moments before barking out orders. "Lieutenant, go through all available shinobi in the village and select a team that will complement the remaining ANBU squads. We now have a possible recovery mission on our hands as well as completing the intended objective."

"Yes Ma' Lady I will do so immediately," he nodded and was gone in a puff of smoke.

The Hokage's attendants scrambled to gather a list of shinobi that were available. Going through files they took notice of the current shinobi presence, "How can it be that many of our strongest are out of the village at a time like this?" Though given the population and the crunch for time the selected shinobi had been collected and were awaiting orders, except one.

"Where is this one?" the ANBU officer shouted at one of Tsunade's attendants vigorously shaking the file folder. His patients was wearing thin, they needed to move out soon, the safety of the village and the possible recovery of the missing squad depended on it.

"I... I couldn't find her anywhere," he stammered as the porcelain mask bore down on him.

The ANBU officer exhaled forcefully grunting in frustration.

"I have an idea where we can find her." Both men looked to the side as Genma interrupted offering up his assistance.

[]

Genma quickly made his way to Kakashi's apartment. As he watched over her, he had noticed that Maiha would sometimes stay there while in the village. If they can't find her anywhere else she must be there. On his arrival he stepped up to the door knocked firmly and announced his presence. "Maiha, its Genma, open up."

Maiha approached the door and stood behind it briefly starring at the barrier to the hurt she had left outside. She reached forward, grasped the knob, turned it and opened the door slowly exposing her to reality once again.

"Hey Genma," she forced a somewhat chipper voice and a fake smile.

He cut straight to the point, "I know that since you're here, today is not a good day for you." He paused a moment as she averted her eyes. "The Hokage has asked me to summon you for an urgent mission."

Hearing his reasoning for seeking her out Maiha nodded with a quick exhale pushing her emotions to the side as she focused on him again, "I'll be there in ten."

"Good," he nodded, "I'll let them know."

Maiha fled Kakashi's apartment to her own, quickly dressed in her mission attire, secured all her weaponry and in just under ten minutes was knocking on the Hokage's door. "Ma 'Lady, its Maiha." The door opened quickly and she stepped up to a grouping of shinobi including Sakura. A cell of three and a highly skilled medic, this is serious. "You sent for me Lady Hokage."

Tsunade took a breath before she began. "Yes, there is a mission. Maiha as you can see by the shinobi assembled here this is top-priority." Tsunade noticed Maiha's eyes dart over to the ANBU officer and then back to her. "You will all depart momentarily making way to an undisclosed location where you will be aiding in an ongoing mission. There is a lot at stake, but I will not waste time briefing you here, the commander overseeing the mission will do so upon your arrival."

"Yes Lady Hokage," the newly formed cell spoke in unison.

The ANBU officer stepped forward and addressed the group, "Let's head out, we have two days of traveling ahead of us."

"Yes sir," they replied following him out the door.

[]

One full day into their travel with minimal breaks the group stopped for a longer period of rest. "We will stop here but be prepared to pick up the pace when we begin again," the Lieutenant advised.

"Yes sir."

Sakura and Maiha went to the river pointed out by the ANBU officer to fill canteens for the group. "What do you suppose we are heading into?" Sakura asked.

"I don't know but if you are with us I can only imagine. For the Hokage to send you out on a mission along with a cell of three, the danger level must be high, there already are causalities or many wounded."

"I agree. The fact that they sent us with an ANBU officer does raise a few questions as well. Is he here to protect us or just to lead us to command?"

Maiha thought about their current company and had a flashback to the night Kakashi appeared at her door in ANBU armor. ANBU… Kakashi… Is there some correlation between the two? The worry knotted in her stomach once again.

She and Sakura returned to the group full canteens in hand. Maiha walked over to the ANBU officer handing him his. "Your canteen sir."

"Thank you," he replied. She stood there wanting to ask him more about the mission opening her mouth slightly. Seeing her expression, he detoured any questioning. "You should go back and rest with the others."

"Yes sir," she replied defeated, turned slowly and returned to her team. Maiha wanted to push the group to move forward however, knowing the team needed the rest she held back.

[]

Finally at the end of the second day the group arrived at central command to an impatiently waiting battalion of ANBU shinobi. The commander immediately saw to their introduction into the modified mission objective. "You have been summoned here to assist in our ongoing mission," he began.

Maiha's eyes quickly darted from mask to mask searching for the one she would be the most familiar with.

The commander continued with the briefing. "There is a group of rouge shinobi that have threatened harm to the village. Approximately one and a half months ago their refuge had been located and we were deployed to dismantle it before they could complete their objective. Two weeks ago the second squadron of the battalion was dispatched and they have not returned."

Maiha's heart started racing.

"At nightfall you will be heading in with Squad Three to complete the objective. Miss Haruno, you will remain here at home base for medical support."

"Yes Commander," Sakura nodded.

Maiha's eyes had wondered away from the commander for a moment catching a grouping of white objects on the ground not far from the group before focusing back to the briefing.

"Get some rest and prepare yourselves. You will be on high alert. If Squad Two did not return, I believe we have underestimated the strength of the enemy force."

Upon conclusion of the briefing she made her way to the white objects that had caught her eye during the briefing. Nearing the objects she made them out to be ANBU masks. Maiha crouched down looking over the avatars noticing a very familiar one. Exhaling forcefully her trembling hand reached down and she ran her fingers over the mask. The other clutched her chest as the teardrops cascading down her cheeks dropped on to his mask and rolled down its glossy finish. Her sudden sorrow was interrupted by an ANBU member placing a hand under her arm raising her gently up to stand. Startled, she quickly focused on his porcelain cover.

He took up one of her hands, turned her palm up and placed the necklace into it. Maiha looked down feeling it in her hand. It was just like before, with the news of Ai's death. "He wanted me to return this to you."

Another forceful exhale and her heart jumped to her throat. Her eyes slowly travelled upward as she brought the necklace to her chest. Maiha noticed his sword, the one she had struck with her own so many times before. Her eyes set on his mask again.

This moment was familiar to him as well, though it was a long time ago he remembered every detail. "Pull it together, we don't know for sure. If the commander sees you like this he will take you off the mission."

"Sasuke," she whispered.

"I am lead of Squad Three. Since we trained together I know your strengths, you are a great asset. Take the time before the mission to collect yourself, there's no telling what we will face."

Maiha managed a nod, and he walked away. Oh Kakashi, please if you're still… hold on we're coming.

[]

By nightfall, with the help of Sakura, Maiha had composed herself settling into mission mode and joined the other shinobi before the order to head out was given. "As I said in the briefing, be on high alert. Be prepared for shinobi recovery as well as complete destruction." The Commander looked over to the three shinobi from the village, "Complete, do you understand?"

Maiha spoke as her hands clinched into fists. "I understand, Commander, no mercy."

He nodded. "You will depart in ten minutes."

"Maiha," Sakura her over before the teams moved out, "Take these with you, most likely they will be in poor condition when you find them." Sakura placed a pouch of pills in her hand. "They are special supplements, give them with a small amount of water, just enough to swallow. Most likely they are dehydrated as well, too much will shock their system. They'll help you get them back to home base," Sakura gave her a small reassuring smile.

"Thanks Sakura, I'll see you when we bring them back," Maiha nodded and then departed with the squads.

[]

"I see your group is resilient, you're all still alive," Kumori snickered. Considering that Kakashi was one of the most formidable shinobi in the village, it seemed Kumori was taking a liking to personally seeing about his less than hospitable treatment.

Kakashi looked up at him from his seated position shackled to the floor. After the first week of captivity they were placed on the ground as their conditions degraded; weak from malnourishment, dehydration and torture.

"You're lucky we live down here. If you were imprisoned separately you would all die in your own waste."

Kakashi remained silent but stared at him with a hard fixed eye.

"No words from the Copy Ninja eh? One of the village's elite, how pathetic you look," Kumori laughed again.

Kakashi lunged at him just missing stopped by the restraints.

"Oh, looks like someone still has some energy. Chain them all overhead again, let's see how long they last this time." A smirk spread across Kumori's face as he extended his arms out to the sides. "As my guest this is no way for you to act Hatake." His smirk faded and the rouge shinobi rushed forward kicking and stomping Kakashi numerous times only stopping when his movements were less defensive from fatigue and injury. Kumori ordered one of his men to chain Kakashi over his head. Once the shackles had been moved and secured Kumori leaned in one last time picking up Kakashi's head by his hair, "Not so tough without the use of that eye are you, what a joke." Kakashi glared at Kumori intensely and then spit in his face. Instantly angered, the rogue nin dealt a few more blows. When finished he turned to his minion and wiped his face with his forearm, "Do whatever you feel is necessary to get my point across, but don't kill them," he turned back to Kakashi. "You're digging your own grave as well as the rest of your comrades, and I will make sure that your pathway there is as drawn-out and unpleasant as possible." Kakashi was once again left in darkness to muddle in uncertainty on the state of the mission.

They were all in poor condition, beaten, emaciated and severely dehydrated. As ANBU they were conditioned for severe torture but still the body can only withstand so much. Kakashi knew that Kumori was a problem. He was a highly skilled shinobi and at the time of his allegiance to the village was well involved in its safety measures. For someone to be so knowledgeable about the infrastructure and now turn against the Leaf made Konoha and easy mark.

[]

Squad Three along with Maiha's cell advanced to the hideout coordinates. Having come in so close it was baffling why they hadn't come up against any resistance.

Something's not right here. If we are this close they should have attacked us by now. Unless it's a trap, they have abandoned the area or they're already… no I can't think like that. Thoughts were racing through Maiha's head. She rushed up to Sasuke getting his attention and shot him an apprehensive look. Knowing her instincts were sharp and having his own concerns, he brought the group to a halt.

Remaining silent, they used hand gestures to communicate. Splitting up into teams of two the shinobi spread out across the area. Maiha and Sasuke fanned out together. Searching for signs, traps, anything that could clue them into the current situation. Hearing the sound of weapons clashing and men yelling they knew that the team had finally found what they were looking for. The duo drew their swords and headed back toward the sound of the altercation.

There were many rouge shinobi attacking the small but strong group. Shuriken and kunai flew through the air from all directions, jutsu's threatening harm as well. One had to be careful of friendly fire as well as from the enemy. Maiha had never been in this type of situation before as it was her first S-rank, it was no wonder ANBU consisted of the strongest most skilled ninja in the village.

The Leaf shinobi gained control cutting down the rouge ninja and again advanced. Some of the men did fallback, most likely to warn Kumori and the others of the Leaf assault. Not long and they were right on top of the hideout.

Inside, men could be heard scrambling around and loud thumps and booms could be heard in the cells. Kakashi perked up and sighed slightly "They're here."

Once inside the Leaf continued their assault. Attempting to use jutsu, two of the leaf ninja were caught off guard and were nearly injured. "We can't use our jutsu in here there must be some kind of barrier. Stick to weaponry!" one of the ANBU called out. The team continued dispatching the enemy ninja making their way around searching for Squad Two before carrying out the original objective. Hallway after hallway, room after room provided no evidence of them. They began to lose hope and started planning for the destruction of the compound. One last dark, narrow hallway was found. It descended steeply and gave no clues to where it led, but yet there it was, one last hope and Maiha was not about to pass up the possibility.

She turned to Sasuke, "I have the smallest frame it may be best if I take point. Whoever follows behind can still battle around me if necessary," Maiha volunteered.

Sasuke nodded and directed his team. He knew she had reason to push for investigation. The situation was under control and all was going according to plan. "I will follow behind you Maiha, you follow behind me," he motioned to a shinobi and then one more, "and you, guard the entrance, don't let anyone in behind us."

"Yes sir!"

Sasuke turned back, "Maiha you take low and I'll take high. You should be able to maneuver around if needed." Maiha nodded and they began their decent.

Moving slowly they encountered the first enemy shinobi. Just as Sasuke ordered Maiha attacked low and he high. Eventually they reached the first cell door. Sasuke gave a signal whistle to let the men know that there were leaf shinobi in the area. "Okay, Maiha go in behind. We'll cover you. Sakura gave you the needed supplements I'll leave you in charge of distributing them."

"Yes, sir." Maiha slid around behind the two and pushed on the door. Locked, of course. Keys, keys where are the keys. "I have to go back to check the bodies for keys."

"Alright, we'll hold here."

Maiha doubled back searching the bodies for keys. Finally she found two sets. Two sets of keys, that's odd for one man to carry. She quickly made her way back to the first cell door where Sasuke and the other Leaf shinobi were waiting. Maiha tried key after key, one ring provided no match for the door so she put them back in her waist pouch. The second ring provided a better fit for the lock and Maiha cautiously opened the door and looked around. She could see a man chained up to the wall. Copying Sasuke's signal whistle she alerted the man of her entrance. It seemed like all he could muster was a groan. "Is it safe she asked?"

"Yes," the shinobi barely drew out, almost as a heavy whisper

"Maiha there are more coming, continue on," Sasuke warned.

She made her way over to the ANBU shinobi. Seeing that it wasn't Kakashi she inwardly sighed, but continued care. "My name is Maiha I am a Leaf kunoichi. I'm here to help." He exhaled relieved. Maiha could see the shinobi was badly beaten his skin pulled up easily from his muscles wasting away without food for so long and his lips were dry from dehydration. "I need you to take these pills." She put the supplements that Sakura gave her into her hand and raised it up to his mouth. He took the pills in and she followed up with the canteen of water. "Not too much, just enough to swallow." Maiha jumped up grabbing on to the chains to hold her up and filed through the keys finally finding one that worked. She helped the shinobi slide down the wall to the floor. "Now let's see what we can do about this," and she reached for the chakra collar.

He pushed her hands away, "Bomb," he forced out and followed with "Key."

Maiha looked at the device more closely it seemed that the lock required a smaller key. The other ring! She reached into her back waist pouch and pulled out the other ring. Carefully she looked at the keys and found the one that matched, unlocked the collar and set it carefully aside. Maiha patted him on the shoulder. "Those supplements should be kicking in anytime now, I have to move on to the others." She handed him a kunai "Wait here."

"Thank you." he spoke more clearly, his throat not as dry.

"Thank me when we get the hell out of here and safely back to home base," she smiled slightly and got up to advance, meeting up with Sasuke's duo. "Okay ready to move on."

"Let's go," he pushed.

Two more times they encountered Leaf ANBU but neither were the man she was so driven to find. Enemy attack ceased as they continued down the hallway, "Looks like we may have eliminated all of them." The shinobi with Sasuke and Maiha stated.

"But where is Kakashi?" Maiha blurted out.

Sasuke looked over. "This hallway seems to continue on, let's go a little further." Maiha nodded eagerly in agreement.

Onward they moved. Still no door. Maiha's heart began to race. Where are you?

Sasuke stopped and looked back. "Maiha, we have to complete the objective."

"Please, one more time with the signal whistle," she drew out softly.

Sasuke turned and whistled again. All three listened hard. Nothing. Maiha clutched her chest, and let out a quick pitched forced breath. "Maiha, we have to go." She nodded silently, a tear leaking out of the corner of her eye. Damn it the only one lost. He can't be. Sasuke turned and whistled one last time.

A noise.

"Do you hear that?" Maiha moved forward pushing past the other shinobi. "It sounds like chains rattling."

"I hear it too," the second shinobi agreed.

Sasuke nodded and proceeded forward finding two doors at the end of the hallway. Maiha used the keys to open the door from which they could hear the sound of the chains. There in the far corner of the room hung the silver haired shinobi. She ran to him, her voice stolen momentarily she could only alert him to her presence by touch. He was in horrible shape; his eyes almost swelled shut, bruises everywhere, possibly broken ribs, dehydrated, and starved just like the others. "Kakashi," she drew out softly tears streaming down her cheeks. A painful groan was all he could get out. She reached into her back pouch to get the supplements. "I need you to take these for me, they're from Sakura to help you get back to base." He nodded and Maiha helped them into his mouth following up with water.

"Maiha it looks like everything is clear, we will set this place up for destruction and help the others out they should be ready to move by now." She nodded at Sasuke and the duo took their leave.

"Let's get you down from there." Again she jumped up grabbing for the chains and filed through the keys looking for one to free him of his shackles. No match. She tried all of them again, still no luck. "There's no key!" Her voice shook and pitched with emotion, "No key!"

"Maiha," Kakashi drew out, he was getting his voice back. "You have to leave me to complete the mission."

She slid down the wall slightly looking directly in his eyes choking out her objective, "I am not leaving you behind, there must be a way." Maiha moved back up the wall again and struck the chains with her sword, her tonto anything that may do some damage. She attempted to pick the lock, nothing worked. "Kakashi," she drew out.

"Leave me."

"I can't," her voice broke.

"Damn it Maiha, mission first."

Their bantering was interrupted by a large man walking through the door. "Maiha get out of here!" Kakashi forced out. "You can't use jutsu in here, there's a barrier."

Hearing Kakashi's tone she knew this man was familiar to him. Maiha fixed a hardened glare on the large man and took a defensive posture, "I won't leave you." For him she would stand her ground. By the sheer size difference she was at a tremendous disadvantage. "Why is it that you got the seven foot ogre looking after you?" she jested slightly.

The words she directed at him seemed to anger the goliath. "Come on Maiha, don't make it any worse," Kakashi grumbled.

Her ear caught a quiet jingle and she glanced down quickly. Keys!

From there she was driven, defeat was not an option. Maiha used her speed and her small stature to her advantage attacking him at different angles landing blows and causing injury when possible. Until finally with one swoop of his arm he caught her. "Got ya little wench." He picked her up by the throat one handed and held her out away from his body cutting off her airway. Maiha thumped on his arm with her fists and swung her legs wildly in an attempt free herself.

Hearing her gasping for breath Kakashi lunged forward pulling at the chains to get free with any of the strength that had returned. The man looked over with a wicked grin, "Oh I see, is this one precious to you?" He squeezed tighter. Maiha's grunts were replaced with high pitched wheezing, before to long he would choke her out. "How dreadful to see someone so dear die in front of you."

While his attention was focused on Kakashi, Maiha pulled out her tanto cutting through the arm holding her up in the air. He backed away with the initial shock of the injury letting her go and she fell to the floor coughing and gasping for breath. With any luck he would bleed out but in her weakened state Maiha was still extremely vulnerable. She attempted to move crawling away on her hands and knees only turning with Kakashi's warning. He was almost on top of her.

A windmill shuriken whooshed through the air thudding loudly as it sunk into the giant's chest knocking him backward forcefully into the corner of the room. Both Kakashi and Maiha looked over in the direction from which the weapon came.

"Sasuke!" she forced out.

"We need to move quickly," he informed them.

Maiha nodded retrieving the keys from the lifeless body. She moved to Kakashi quickly unchaining and freeing him from the collar.

"Let's go," Sasuke pushed firmly.

Maiha knew this was no time to reconcile. She helped Sasuke with Kakashi and they exited the hideout. Three squads, all shinobi accounted for, slowly travelled back to home base, hearing the explosions in the distance behind them.

As always thank you for reading I appreciate your time. Sorry for the extra long chapter but this was a hard one to cut down. Hope you enjoy it!