Hey guys! Very sorry about the delay! I had a lot of homework going on and then I didn't feel like writing, but I'm starting to get back into the swing of everything. So here it is, at long last, Chapter 12!!!!!!!
Disclaimer: I do not own the original Naruto Characters, but the additional ones I do and the storyline.
"Sector A secure," a voice crackled over the radio.
"Sector B secure," said a second.
"Sector D secure."
"Sector C secure."
The group had positioned themselves around the base. Ino, Shikamaru, Sasuke, Sakura, Naruto, Hinata, Kakashi and Gaara. All ready fro Sasuke's signal.
The group had been shortened considerably. To the insistence of their parents', and the noted complains of the two genin, Temari and Kankuro had taken them to a safe place. Also taking in Temari and Kankuro's noted complaints to being reduced to, and still, babysitting.
"On my signal," Sasuke's voice cracked over the radio.
"Hai," came the mutual reply.
Slowly, Sasuke began to inch closer to the 'base'. How long had it been since he'd last seen Kiyo? How long had those memories haunted him?
It was all so vivid, every detail; even down to what pair of socks he had worn that day. How long and how many times he'd tried to undo it all? How many times had he awoken in a cold sweat due to prevalent nightmares? None of these he could remember; but that day, crystal.
He had never wanted Kyoko to know. He feared she would think less of him; as a father, as a ninja, as a person. More importantly, as her father. Failing her would only ensue to kill him. He couldn't ever handle that.
"Sasuke…" Sakura's voice incise his thoughts.
"Copy that, move out."
All thoughts on the mission.
XXXXXXXX
Ruuto, Rai and Suki sat in a small circle around and even smaller campfire; Suki sill bound tightly. Temari and Kankuro sat off t the side muttering silent curses and anger towards Gaara. Him being Kazekage or even their brother had not convinced them to obey his orders. The simple fact that he was a great deal stronger was all the encouragement they needed. Though Gaara had changed a considerable amount since his encounter with Naruto all those years ago, still did not change the fact that he was scary.
"I am so dying his sand pink when this is all over." Temari said angrily.
"I think I'll let Crow eat his precious gourd too." Kankuro added.
While they schemed and brewed, the genin, and Suki, were busy concocting their own rescue plan. Not with out Suki's frequently annoying interjections.
"Do you honestly expect this plan to work?" She said, watching the two boys.
"Do you honestly expect us to listen to you?" Ruuto shot back.
"Look, I know you miss your girlfriend, but seriously! You might as well attack them with ramen noodles!"
"She's not my girlfriend!" Ruuto yelled angrily.
"Ruuto. Voice. Down. Shut. Up." Rai said annoyed.
"I think you doth protest too much." Suki mumbled.
Ruuto glared at her and a vain protruded from his head. Rai could have sworn he saw steam emit from Ruuto's ears.
"Can we please focus?" he sighed, looking between the two.
They both nodded. He nodded once and splayed a map out between them.
"Alright, I'm guessing that they've already suspected a rescue attempt soon, they they've probably already moved their location. Our best chance of finding them is scouring around the village. I'd say, keep a five mile radius."
"Why not just inspect the village itself?" Ruuto asked.
"Because that's where our parents will be."
"Oh,"
"Yeah,"
"Duh," Suki interjected.
"Wait," Rai said, turning his attention to the purple haired girl. "Why are you even here?"
She shrugged, "Moral support."
Both boys rolled their eyes.
XXXXXXXX
'This seems to be a reoccurring pattern.' She though.
Kyoko lay still on the ground, he eyes closed. Se could feel blood running down the length of her arm and seep into her clothing and a searing pain course through her back; making it impossible to be comfortable.
"Man did she piss him off that time." Kubo.
"Hn, like I give. She's just like her old man." Deiyo.
"What o you know, kid? All you know is your dad's story. She probably doesn't even know that much! As far as I see you're both biased."
There was a moment of silence.
"Like I care,"
"Well maybe you should." Kubo spoke with finality; bringing the conversation to an end.
Kyoko finally decided to try to move. She began to turn onto her side but that proved disastrous. The pain only worsened and she gasped. Her eyes shot open and she lay still panting.
"Sheesh kid, you trying to kill yourself?!" Kubo said as he pressed a wet cloth against one of her many injuries.
"Seems Kiyo has that part taken care of." She coughed out. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, cascading down her cheek and neck; it pooled on the ground below the arch of her neck.
"Shut up! What do you know anyways?" Deiyo demanded, his eyes smouldering.
"Coming from you!" She yelled back. "all you've done is bad mouth my tuu-san! You don't know anything about him!" She regretted yelling at him now as it cause her more pain.
"And you know nothing about my tuu-san!"
She huffed, "Yeah, cause first impressions aren't really his thing; are they?"
Deiyo just glared.
"Why do you care what I think? I'm just the long lost aunt; right?" she sneered the last part.
With a snort, he stood and walked away, leaving her confused and as hopeless as ever.
XXXXXXXX
'Slowly, quiet, don't make a –crack-….sound.' Naruto thought dismally as he looked down at his foot. A piece of broken pottery lay on the ground, small pieces logged into the sole of his shoe.
Gaara turned and glared at him.
'Idiot,' he though as he watched the yellow haired man. "Naruto, does the word 'stealth' mean anything to you?"
The man nodded, "Of course it does."
"Is it a skill you poses?"
"Yeah,"
"Then use it!" Gaara whispered angrily.
Naruto glared at him then turned his attention back to the base. They had gotten in easy enough; only to find it abandoned.
Sasuke and Sakura were standing in the center of this base. Sakura was crying. Naruto felt a twang of hurt. His niece was missing and he felt useless, powerless to save her. He could only imagine how Sasuke must feel.
Other then them, the town was empty of people. Houses, some shops; nothing out of the ordinary.
A larger house sat in the center, a large garden surrounding it. The Uchiha emblem crested on the front arch above the door. Curious, Naruto ventured to wards it. He jumped the gate and walked up the path to the door and pushed it open. Normal house, living room, kitchen, dining room and some bedrooms; which were empty. He stood in the hallway for a moment before he noticed it, the room at the end of the hall.
XXXXXXXX
Deiyo watched her from a distance. She sat by silently, hugging her knees to her chest and other villages milled around the camp; ignoring her. What was she thinking? What did she know?
He shook his head to clear his mind and stood up. Cramming his hands deep into his pockets he approached her. Why?
She didn't acknowledge his presence when he sat crossed legged in front of her, nor did she reply when he greeted her. Regardless of how dismal the greeting was.
"What are you thinking? His question caught him off guard, her reply, however, did not.
Slowly she lifted her gaze to his, "Baka," she hissed.
Deiyo suppressed a smirk and held her gaze. "What are you thinking?" he asked again.
"Maintaining the resentment in her voice she said, "Climbing a mountain."
'Sharp as ever,' he though. "How much do you know?"
"About what?! Life?! Nature?! Air!?" She exclaimed erratically.
"Don't act dumb, it won't work. You know what I mean."
Yeah, sow hat? What's it too you?"
"I want to know your side." He was, perhaps, more surprised then she was.
Her eyes were slightly bigger, but that was all that gave away her curiosity.
"Okay, fine," she said, releasing her knees. "You want to know my side? Well I don't have one! My lie was completely normal and perfect till Kiyo came riding in on his stubby little horse and Akatsuki cloak and ruined it all! Till he tried to kill my tuu-san."
Deiyo was numb.
Muahaha! Cliffy! Well sort of, but again sorry about the wait! The next chappie probably won't be up for a while cause I got provincials coming up; yay finals in Canada! Lol thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed! P[lease R&R!