Edit 31/01/2010: I've got some bad news for those of you waiting patiently for the next chapter of this story. As it stands I am currently unable to upload the new chapter. I don't know what's causing this, but I'll hazard a guess and say it due to my very slow internet connection at the moment because its past its download limit (and the internet in Australia sucks). So until my internet clicks over to the new month, I'm stuck, and that means the new chapter won't be up till friday next week. I'm sorry about this, and if I can find a way around it I will post the new chapter sooner.

p.s. What's really annoying though is that I'm able to type this, but I can't upload the document with the new chapter in it. Grrrrrr....

"Speaking current tense"

"Speaking past tense"

'Thinking current tense'

This is fanfic. I don't own Naruto.

Chapter 2: Time is Running Out – Part 3

As the fully-clad samurai reached the end of his route and then turned to retrace his steps, Sasuke looked at the sun's position in the sky, the orb close to its midday apex. For the last thirty minutes he had laid in the bushes of the forest surrounding the old battlements, scouting the southern end of the area for guards and patrol routes.

Arriving at the Akatsuki base in Water Country about two hours ago, the team had found the least patrolled area in the surrounding forest and promptly setup camp. Hinata had then split the team up, pairs of two while she went alone, each group given a section of the area to scout.

The fortress had never seemed that intimidating to Sasuke as he went about his business during his brief stay in Madara's home. Now, laying next to his masked Anbu partner, both scouting the enemies defences, he saw how truly monumental this mission would be. It wasn't the layout of the area or the heavy number of guards that awed him. No, it was the way in which Madara had used his troops and the environment together to create such an efficient defence that there were no gaps.

The battlements were constructed roughly one hundred years ago during the First Shinobi War. They were built around a valley that went through a mountain range, the trade route giving an invading force easy access to villages that used the mountains as a defence.

The edges of the walls were crafted from the mountain, the structure forming a semi-circle. The work of chipping out the walls from the mountainside had no doubt taken a long time. It was worth it though. The walls were impenetrable from either side, and the defenders of the wall were protected well. Coupled with the unique minerals in the rock which made performing earth jutsus on it near impossible, the only hope of overcoming the defences would come by taking the centre of the wall.

This was also constructed from rocks from the mountains, while the gate was made to be one giant wall that was pushed or pulled into place. The outside of the gate was one smooth piece of rock, the featureless wall made with no depressions or footholds, a design that made it hard to climb or open from the outside. The inside of the gate was braced with a lattice of metal, each length being two feet high and one foot thick, and running the ten metre wide stance of the gate.

The many battles that took place did nothing to age the structure. It was the weather that damaged it the most. The mountainside had collapsed partially, blocking the valley and damaging the walls. Now useless as a defensive structure, the original occupants abandoned it and slowly nature had taken over. Then Uchiha Madara had taken up residence in the structure, placing several buildings on the open ground between the wall and the cave entrance. Now he had a perfect defendable base.

Sasuke felt a newfound respect for the man, even though he was a homicidal maniac. 'It's a pity the beauty of it is lost on these idiots.' Glancing at the nameless Anbu laying in the bushes beside him, he watched the man scan his side of the battlements for guards. Sasuke felt contempt for the man. Why was he done so fast while this elite Anbu was taking so long? Sasuke might be less arrogant now, but that didn't mean he expected less of people, especially when it came to Anbu.

The nameless Anbu turned to Sasuke then, signalled he was done, and then both men slowly inched away from their cover and returned to camp. The small clearing that Hinata had set as camp was well hidden, and as Sasuke and his partner returned so too did another pair of Anbu. Sitting down, Sasuke only had to wait a few minutes before both Hinata and the last pair of Anbu returned.

A dread feeling rose in Sasuke's stomach as he watched a map being laid out, each Anbu explaining the defences they saw while Hinata marked the relevant positions. He quickly thought back on everything he remembered of the defences from the inside and out. He was missing something. Something important.

Hinata never liked leadership. She did not delude herself on the matter – she was not suited to lead. Growing up, she was too meek, shy, and unconfident to lead effectively. Her trials and tribulations had helped her somewhat, as had having Naruto as her personal tormentor and cheer squad all rolled into one. No matter what anyone told her though, when everything was boiled down Hinata was not suited to leadership. She just didn't possess all the abilities needed for the role. She felt liberated by the knowledge.

Pushing aside such thoughts, she had trained herself hard to be the best at what she does. She possessed a sharp mind that allowed her to analyse situations fast and react accordingly. She had mastered all that could be taught to her regarding the Gentle Fist style her family used, plus their many ninjutsu. And when that was done, Naruto had helped her train in several other fighting styles and elemental techniques. Nobody messed with her now, unless it was training or they had a death wish.

She knew though that all that training meant nothing when presented with a strong enemy or a tough mission. Reality didn't scare Hinata. She knew her boundaries, which was why she was considered one of the best kunoichi's in Fire Country. And still knowing all that Hinata felt dismayed as she looked at the information her team had gathered. She hated it when there were so many variables. It made what should be a simple mission that much harder when practically anything could happen.

The only person she could rely on once inside the base was herself, because no matter what was said and done, every member of her team could die within the first few seconds and she couldn't afford that situation considering the cost. She hated leadership.

Hinata didn't know who the five Anbu with her were, though she had worked with them all on at least one mission. There was Owl, the senior Anbu in the group, who she had paired with the Uchiha to keep an eye on him. The man was so quiet that she was unsure how he became a captain. Then there was Joker and Rose, the other two members of Owl's team, who bickered whenever time permitted. Hinata had often wondered if the two were in a relationship.

Last were the two rookies. Frog was the new member of Owl's team, his nerves barely showing considering the gravity of the situation. And then there was Mantis, who for the mission so far had made it his mission to pick on Frog every chance he got. Hinata warned Mantis to stow it til after the mission, but it had done little to deter him.

As Mantis finished his report Hinata marked the information on the map she had drawn of the base so far. Now it was the Uchiha's turn. She watched as the Uchiha pointed out his observations, her hand moving on auto to mark the map. She still didn't trust him, but she had little choice.

"I never really paid attention to the defences of the place while I was working for Madara, so there's nothing I can tell you that I haven't already." Sasuke paused for a second, his hand hovering over the map. "This is the only way in. Madara no doubt has countless ways of getting in or out, but he showed me none, and I could find none in my travels."

As Sasuke leaned back from the map, Hinata considered all the information they had gathered. "The madman dug tunnels under the mountainside, and though I only saw some rooms during my stay, I know it's a maze down there, the tunnels extending deep."

"You'll be coming with me then Uchiha." Hinata said to Sasuke. "Your knowledge may be limited, but it's the best we have." Turning to the rest of her team, Hinata noted with satisfaction the irritated look in Sasuke's eyes. "Owl, I want you, Joker, Rose, and Frog to attack the right side of the wall. You're to work your way to the centre, and make like you're looking for a way in." Pausing for a breath, Hinata then continued. "Myself, the Uchiha, and Mantis will attack the left wall, sneaking in with cover from your attack. We'll move to the entrance clearing the way and once inside head for the holding cells. Uchiha?"

Sasuke paused for a few seconds, tunnel paths flashing through his mind. "The holding cells can be reached via the second door on the right along the main tunnel from the entrance. This is the likeliest place the Naruto is being held." Sasuke looked at Owl's team. "There is a medical facility located to the left at the end of the main tunnel. It's not very far down, but there are plenty of rooms. If Madara wants to run tests on Naruto, he'll be there."

Hinata took over. "That's where I want you to go Owl after you make it in. Your distraction gets us in, and then if you can I want your team to explore this area. Once Naruto is found the team who finds him will signal the other, and we'll retreat from the base. As this happens we'll blow the charges around the perimeter to buy us time to escape. Any questions?" Looking at each person, Hinata waited for responses.

"None? Okay, make no mistake, when we attack we will have every person in the place on us. Don't stuff around. Use every trick you've got to make it in fast and get out in one piece, because you only get one chance with this lot, and we have to make it count. We must get Naruto before Madara takes the Kyuubi." Finishing up, Hinata received confirmation nods from everyone.

As both teams formed, Hinata checked her equipment one more time. She hated leadership. And the plan had too many holes in it. This had to be done though, and she knew each ninja here would give it their all to complete the mission. Signalling Owl, Hinata waited while Owl's team snaked around to the attack the right wall. At the first explosion, she leapt from the cover of the trees, Sasuke and Mantis right on her tail, the left wall rising above her.

Reviews, comments, error correction welcome. Thanks for reading.