Hey everyone, I'm thinking about writing a few one shots related to this story - just a few plot points that I couldn't incorporate in this story... Just so you know.
Things are finally coming to an end here, there'll be about 13 chapters. Only a few more to go c:
Oh yes, I dedicate this chapter to Teruteriyaki for being super sweet and awesome.
Enjoy!
The unrelenting summer sun beat down on the backs of five ninja walking steadily across the hard, baked earth. Sweat rolled across their faces and down their backs, soaking their clothes to their skin. Despite the constant state of exhaustion the team marched on, the determination radiating off the figures rivalling the heat burning from the sand and sun. The hot, dry air dehydrated the team quickly and regular stops had to be made to quench their growing thirst. Kankuro sighed to himself, knowing that the trip was taking longer for the Leaf shinobi than it would take a squad from the Hidden Sand. If this was any other mission he would be happy with the cautious pace but at this stage every second was vital. However, he had to give them credit, the Leaf ninja were making greater progress than he had originally assumed they would.
Maybe Gaara's right. Maybe they're not all so worthless after all…
As he looked across the barren land around them the air shimmered and stirred. By now any flesh the travellers had left exposed was red and raw. Kankuro felt another bead of sweat roll off his forehead, trailing down his face and neck, disappearing into his shirt where it continued its meandering path down his torso. They had ceased wiping the sweat off their bodies as it formed long ago. It was a futile task and at this point their bodies needed the constant moisture to keep functioning.
And people think I wear this for kicks. Maybe I should have warned them about the sun…? They're lucky Temari beat some sense into lazy ass.
Kankuro bit his lip, relishing in the pain that let his mind escape from thoughts of his sister; they had long ago become dangerous. While the others prepared themselves for what they hoped was the final leg of the journey, he distracted himself with the view. It was well past midday, the sun was beginning its decent, the sky gaining a pink glow. The sand reflected the pink and mauve tones from the sky, bathing everything in their soft hues.
No wonder Temari thinks it's so beautiful.
The shadows cast by the sand dunes were lengthening, leaving Kankuro to question how long they'd been travelling. He looked to Shikamaru, tilting his head to the side in gentle contemplation.
I wonder if the genius can tell the time just from the shadows.
The strange thought pulled a wry smile from him.
"Hey Neji, do you mind having a look around whilst we're stopped here?" Shikamaru asked politely, his voice slightly muffled by the scarf covering his face.
Gaara was right. We'd be dead if Kankuro left us.
His team was worn out and tired. It had taken Gaara's direct orders to stop them leaving as soon as their meeting was finished. Both Kankuro and Shikamaru had been sullen at the delayed start. At least while they were active they could occupy their overimaginative minds with other things. Using the time productively, Shikamaru had changed out of his usual clothing and into the lightweight garments he had bought on his last trip to the Hidden Sand. His long sleaved light blue shirt and long black pants were made of pure cotton; the fabrics natural ventilation would keep his body cool when they were out in the scorching heat of the desert. Tying his forehead protector to his upper arm for the first time since he had become a chuunin, he hastily left the Kazekage's residence and walked the short distance to the market. Once there he moved to the small store he had last visited with Temari to buy the outfit he now wore and purchased scarves for his team; they would keep their faces from being burnt to a crisp by the brutal midday sun. The thin material couldn't stop all the deadly radiation, but they would be protected from the worst of it. Despite the short interlude, the sixteen hours spent in the Sand were tense, but necessary. It would do little good if his team had arrived as exhausted as they had been upon reaching Suna.
Neji surveyed the land around them before focussing in a certain point. After a few moments he turned towards Shikamaru, the veins around his pale silver eyes prominent.
"I think I might have found something. Just over that hill. It looks like there's solid rock just under the sand. There's definitely an underground complex of some sort. I see around 15 different chakra signatures inside. Most are located in the centre of the room. From the positioning of their bodies, I would guess they're somehow bound to the floor."
Neji turned slowly towards Shikamaru, apprehension building in his stomach as he tried to find the best way to break the news.
"I don't see Temari's signature or her team. There are, however corpses on the floor. Clearly human. I would guess four or five people."
Shikamaru sucked in a quick breath. His pulse had accelerated to the point where he was sure it was about to burst right through his chest as he stared in the direction Neji indicated. Pulling in a shaky breath he squatted down and closed his eyes, placing his hands into a circle across his chest.
Calm down, I need to calm down and think.
Heart practically breaking, he looked up at Kankuro and frowned. Kankuro's face was totally calm. It was possibly the most unperturbed he'd ever appeared.
He has no doubt that she's alive! Or, his mind has finally snapped…
Deciding to look past his own inner doubts Shikamaru began to objectively look at their options.
"Neji, is there anything else you can see?" Ten pairs of eyes turned to the brunet as he reactivated his kekkei genkai and studied the area before them.
"I can only see into the one area. The walls… it's hard to explain but they appear to be… laced with chakra. I can't see through them. From this alone I would conclude that there are other hidden rooms." Shikamaru nodded at the information, a plan was beginning to form; it was far from perfect but that would have to do.
"We need some bait."
Shikamaru looked at his team. His sharp eyes taking in every skill they could manipulate to their advantage.
"Neji, I want you to act as a diversion. Your gentle fist technique provides you with the strongest simultaneous attack and defence. You'll go in alone."
"I'm fine with this plan. What do you need me to do?"
"We need you to draw their fire. I want to know their number, jutsu, ability and fighting style."
"I see." Neji said, nodding.
"Shino, I want your bugs to fly in whist their attention is drawn by Neji. They are to begin draining our opponents of chakra immediately. I don't want to see any casualties."
"Understood." Shino replied with a crisp nod.
"Kiba, Akamaru, I need you to protect Kankuro. He's our greatest asset. We need him to get home."
Kiba nodded and looked back at Kankuro with a bemused expression. A look Kankuro shrugged off with ease. A certain amount of special treatment came with being related to both the fourth and fifth Kazekages.
"Once inside I'll need you and Akamaru to try and locate Temari and her team. I assume it shouldn't be hard with both your superior noses?" Shikamaru didn't wait for a response.
"Let's get this over and done with."
Having never witnessed this side of the perpetually lazy chuunin Kankuro was impressed.
Looks like he's really stepped up to the plate here. I never would have guessed he had it in him. Maybe Temari isn't so crazy after all.
Kankuro smiled.
Neji walked quickly across the open desert before him, stealth was not a required element of their attack strategy. Reaching a tall, imposing sand dune he stopped and activated his byakugan. There was a section of the wall just to the left where the rock was weak. He directed his hand just above the weak spot.
"Air Palm"
There was a crash as rock smashed backward into a large underground cavern. Immediately, sand started to slide downwards, pouring into the opening and burying Neji's feet. Quick as a flash Neji moved inside, following the flow of sand into the enormous cavern.
Looking around he found himself in a large well lit room. Around the walls shadows danced as the candles flickered. Toward the centre of the cavity 20 people were shackled to the floor, although only a handful were conscious. Many held their heads down, keeping their eyes to the floor. He walked forward slowly, scoping the area and keeping his byakugan activated in case of attack.
"Please. My students. Help." A battered looking kunoichi moaned; her voice barely a broken whisper.
He quickened his pace, inspecting the inhabitants and finding three teens huddled as close to the pleading woman as was possible given the short chains they were held down with. They appeared to be in better shape than the rest and Neji was instantly reminded of the mission outline.
This must be the squad we were told about.
As he reached the edge of the group others began to awaken. Their sunken eyes peered out of the gloom, desperately imploring him to help; to set them free.
Without warning the atmosphere in the room changed; fear and hopelessness clouding the eyes of the prisoners. Neji shifted, warning bells blaring to life, his body posed to defend himself. All his senses were straining, waiting for an attack. Despite not seeing anything with his byakugan, a new presence had entered the room. The imprisoned inhabitants immediately reacted and it was only a few seconds before they started to drop into unconsciousness. Neji frowned, his eyebrows furrowing. This seemed like a… his body hit the floor with a dull thud.
Two figures walked out of the shadows and towards Neji's body. As they reached the light they branched away from each other, walking around Neji's body. A petite woman with long blue hair stepped up to his unconscious form a frown marring her ethereal features. Deep green eyes scoured over the brunets body, darkening with intrigue. She rolled him onto his back and studied his handsome features, a finger tracing along the line of his jaw. She tilted her head as she recognised the Leaf insignia inscribed on his forehead protector. Her partner stood back, arms crossed over his broad chest, content to watch her examine their newest edition to the collection. The beautiful female sighed as she stood, finished with her scrutiny of the young shinobi on the floor.
"A shame…" Her melodious voice was cut off as the Neji's body collapsed in upon itself, transforming into a seething mass of thousands of bugs. The shadows clinging to the walls began to move of their own accord as countless more moved off the walls and swarmed the smaller figure.
"Bugs can't fall under genjustu." Neji stated blankly as he walked forward.
The taller figure turned toward him and smiled.
"You're going to have to be better than a Bug Master to beat me. There's a reason all these people are here. No one has ever beaten me; it's not possible." He drawled, clearly overconfident in his abilities.
Neji's lips twitched into a cold, emotionless smile. This mission was getting interesting.
The taller male began to frown and his hands moved in a flurry. Neji shifted into position, arms outstretched palms facing forward. He felt the veins around his eyes protruding and the world was once again thrown into the familiar greyscale. All he really had to do was act as a diversion. The bugs already planted on his arrogant opponent would take care of the rest.
"Thundering phoenix!" Electricity hissed through his body as fire spewed from his mouth, the two separate chakra natures blending to form a huge fiery, crackling bird that flew towards Neji, quickly engulfing his body.
"Rotation" Blue chakra surged around Neji's spinning form, effectively blocking the powerful attack and ripping the giant monster apart. A smirk graced Neji's features as he noted the shock flash across his opponents face.
I suppose there's no use in holding back anymore.
"Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms."
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to the Narutoverse. What a shame!
Next chapter should be out within two days - I'm not too good at making people wait...
I hope everyone liked this chapter. I'm not too sure about fight scenes still. Oh well.
Until next time!