Chapter 83

"So we have to break into the prison and free a person we don't even know?" asked Yomi.

"Getting cold feet already?" asked Kagura. "Don't worry Sakaki, I'll help I'm sure I can get in and out quickly."

"Tomo's an idiot, but she's my friend," replied Yomi coolly. "And thanks to her being an idiot I probably know far more about this building then any of you."

"Huh?" asked a surprised Kagura. "I didn't know you and Tomo were arrested."

"We weren't," said Yomi. "Well she may have been at some point knowing her. A few years ago she had heard a rumour that a famous ninja had been imprisoned for public nudity. It turned out it was just a smear a bitter person had made up, but Tomo wanted to meet him and ask him questions. And probably boast about how great she was. So she ended up dragging me along and we snuck into the building. He wasn't there, but luckily we got back out without being noticed."

"So you were a little rule breaker huh?" joked Kagura. Yomi looked unimpressed.

"All I'm saying is that I know where they'll be keeping the new arrivals."

"So do we go and get her then?" asked Fuka.

"It'd be best for only a few people to go," said Chiyo quietly.

"Huh?"

"If only a few go, there will be less chance of being found" said Chiyo. "But then again it does mean if you are discovered you'll put up less of a fight…"

"I'll be fine," replied Yomi. "But the guards are more physical then users of jutsu…Goro I reckon there would be just enough room for you to get in…"

"I'll help," said Goro nodding.

"And I'll come with you so we get the right person," said Fuka before Sakaki could respond. If someone was to get in trouble she thought it would be better to be her then Sakaki. The tall girl could be a focal point for their team, a way to get others to help. She knew the taller girl wasn't truly aware of it, but the others cared deeply for her. By contrast Fuka was just that stranger standing beside their friend…

"Then what should I do?" whined Kagura.

"Try and see if anyone else will help?" suggested Fuka.

"I guess so, even if that is boring…"

"I guess we'll see you later then," said Yomi. After a brief pause the two girls and one boy were on their way, heading along the pathway in the direction of the small prison building.

"Wait, who exactly can we ask for help?" asked Kagura after the trio had vanished from view.

"The other people from our class?" suggested Chihiro. "Maybe Minamo too?"

"It might be good to stay away from the teachers for now," said Chiyo.

"What?"

"I don't think they'd believe us…and we don't want them out here trying to stop us as well as having to try and deal with this too."

"But even if we do find more help and get this person out, what can we do?" asked Chihiro. Sakaki said nothing, just like the others. She had been so worried about Tomo, so preoccupied with worrying about trying to get help, she had never truly realized she had no idea what to do if they found help. Where was Tomo being taken to? Who exactly had her? Was she even still alive?

Kaorin yawned as once again she peered out of the window towards the village she had once called home. It had only been a few hours since she had parted ways with the others, but having been so engrossed with the idea of rescuing Tomo, she had neglected to realize she would have nothing to do here. Not even a book to read. She tapped her fingers against the worn desk in front of her, and jumped back in surprise as it collapsed before her.

"I just hope Kimura doesn't offer to help…," she said to herself, shuddering as she thought about that possibility.

She was snapped out of her daymare as a large horse drawn carriage made its way along the pathway that ran close by the abandoned building. Someone, their head covered with a hood led the carriage as it made for the village.

"Well at least someone is doing something interesting," said Kaorin to herself as she turned away from the window and sat back down.

In a way it was fortunate that Tomo wasn't there, as in the cramped crawl space Yomi was certain her loud friend would have given their position away at some point. Instead the trio had managed to manoeuvre their way into position without anyone noticing, even if Goro had had a few problems… "fitting in". Fortunately he didn't suffer from claustrophobia. From above they peered through small barred holes down into the various rooms below them. The first two rooms had been empty, while the third had been occupied by a drunken individual getting a bit frisky with the table.

More then slightly disgusted Yomi moved onto the next room while Fuka tried not to giggle. Yomi peered down into the next room to find a girl pacing around the room, seemingly worried about something. She turned to face Fuka who nodded. This was the one.

After seeing there were no guards present Fuka pressed her face against the bars and whispered Chidori's name. On the second attempt she looked up and was taken aback to see Fuka staring at her. She climbed up onto the table to move closer.

"What's going on?" asked Chidori.

"We're here to get you out," replied Fuka.

"Before that I have to tell y-"

"Don't worry, we're on our way," said Fuka.

"There are two guards," called up Chidori just before Fuka vanished. Why couldn't they have just been more patient? It wasn't important for her to escape, it was just vital that the others knew what was about to happen.

After peering down into the corridor the trio noted the location of the two guards, who were busy chatting about something. Following Yomi the group inched their way down a gap in the stonework until they were at ground level. Now on all fours Yomi pushed away a loose brick and the corridor floor greeted them. As quietly as possible they crawled out into the open, Fuka glad to finally be out of there.

Yomi peered around the corner. The guards were still chatting.

"Now we just need to get those two out of the way," said Yomi.

"Allow me," said Goro. Despite his large size he moved in silence down the hallway. Fuka watched from around the corner, wondering what the ninja would do. As he reached the duo he smacked them around the head, knocking both out instantly. As they fell to the floor Fuka almost gasped out in shock at the crudeness of it all.

"That wasn't particularly delicate," said Yomi. Goro merely shrugged. What occurred next surprised both Yomi and Fuka, as the giant ninja took grip of the door handle, and with little effort smashed it into the holding room, wood splintering and the door swinging open.

"We could have just used the keys from the guards," hissed Yomi.

"Someone could have heard you do that if it went wrong," added Fuka.

"They didn't have any keys," replied Goro, a quick look revealing that was correct. "And I wouldn't do it wrong."

"Yo," said Chidori stepping out into the open. "Now I really have to-"

"It'd be best to get out of here first," said Yomi.

"Does that mean…," started Fuka.

"Yeah, going back the way we just came," said Yomi.

"I knew you'd say that," replied Fuka.

"What's wrong with that?" asked Chidori curiously.

"Nothing if you don't mind tight places," said Fuka.

"Oh I have some experience with tight places" replied Chidori. "But now let's get out of here; I have some important things to tell you all. Whoever you are," she said glancing at Goro and Yomi.

"They are with me," said Fuka.

"Yeah I had gathered that much."