A/N: I promise I didn't forget you guys! I'm actually writing this at work (and I'm re-using the file I had uploaded for chapter eleven), so this'll be fun, right. Right? Right. So, let's get on with the show!

Oh, also, I changed the tile of the last chapter to "Rescue Plan"

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto!

Chapter Twlve
Rescue
Akito's POV

Kiri led us through the desert, there wasn't much time for talking, not for her or me, at least. Kye didn't seem the least bit worried.

"Are we there yet?" Kye whined for what seemed like the hundredth time.

Kiri sighed, obviously annoyed. "Your friend, your comrade, is in danger, and you have the time, and the nerve, might I add, to complain?"

"Yes, I do," Kye replied.

"Aren't you worried? Even a little?" Kiri asked.

"Of course I am! Hinata didn't deserve this the first time," Kye said. "I just want to hurry and help her. Someone's gotta kick Orochimaru's ass, and that someone will be me."

"And me," I added. Kye and I grinned at each other. We were both ready to take on the world. As well as Orochimaru, of course.

Kiri stared at us for a moment, then returned her attention to the landscape ahead of us. "Konohagakure has really grown."

It really had, I thought to myself. But no thanks to us. It was all Naruto's doing. He deserved the credit.

Of course, I didn't say that out loud. Not because I didn't want Naruto to get the credit, I did. I really did. But at that moment, Kiri stopped us.

"This is it," she whispered.

"Akito, can you use your kekkei genkai to try and track her and see how close we are?" Kye asked me.

I nodded. I had been working on my kekkei genkai, so I was able to sort of isolate certain aspects of it. That is to say, if I wanted to just use the wolf's claws, I could. Or I could use just the wolf's sight.

Or his sense of smell.

I concentrated on sending my chakra to my nose, and I sniffed the air.

"She's close," I whispered. "Follow me!" I didn't wait to see if they were following me, though. I just bolted.

A few moments later, we stood at the mouth of what seemed to be an abandoned building. It was falling apart, and the corners were weathered away from all the sandstorms. "She's in here. There's a basement, I think."

"You sure?" Kye asked. I nodded. "Then let's go. Oh, Kiri, I think it's best if you stay out of the fight as much as possible. We'll need you to make it back through the desert safely.

Kiri nodded. "I was thinking the same thing.

Kye and I hurried as quickly and quietly as we could down the stairs into the basement - ha, just as I predicted! When we reached the bottom, we peaked around the corner, but saw no one, so we silently made our way down the hall.

"Where are you two going?" A familiar voice asked behind us.

We spun around, startled, coming face-to-face with Sasuke.

"Sasuke," Kye growled, eyes narrowed. She bent over, like a cat ready to pounce. I slightly adjusted my stance, to a not as obvious ready-to-fight position.

"Answer the question." His voice was monotonous, and his eyes were cold. But weren't they always like that?

"I think you know exactly where we're going," Kye replied.

"You shouldn't be here," he said. "If you go now, I'll forget I saw you."

"We're not going anywhere without Hinata," Kye said. "Akito, Kiri, you two go ahead, I'll hold of Sasuke."

I wanted to protest, but I sighed. She was right, I was the only one who could track her scent. "Good luck."

"Likewise," Kye said as Kiri and I hurried down the hall, following Hinata's scent.

We found her a couple minutes later, unconscious, and tied down to an examination table. There was no one around.

"This is too easy," Kiri said.

I nodded. "It is." But we didn't have a choice, did we? "Cover me?" She nodded, and I walked into the room. There was no point to crouch. There was really nothing to hid behind, so if someone was there to see me, I'd be seen whether I was crouching or standing.

I took out a couple of needles out, and started picking the locks around her wrists. I slipped her off the table once I was done. As soon as I had her on my shoulder, though, there was a yelp from behind me. I spun around as quickly as Hinata's weight would allow me, only to find Kiri facing Sasuke.

"Where's Kye?" I asked.

"I left her where you left me," he said. "Don't worry, she's not dead. But I can't let you guys escape, especially not with Hinata."

"Well, that's a little too bad," I said, fumbling in my pouch. I found what I needed, and shouted at Kiri as I threw them at the ground, "Kiri, run!"

The smoke bombs exploded, causing clouds of smoke to fill the room. I was pretty sure Sasuke could see us, but, strangely, he didn't pursue.

We found Kye on the floor, unconscious.

"He probably used his Sharingan," I said. "Here, hold Hinata."

I focused all my chakra into my kekkei genkai, transforming myself into a wolf. I nodded my head towards my back, indicating Kiri should put them on my back and that she should get on, too. Fortunately, she got the whole message.

We were running out of the building, as quick as my wolf legs would take us, Kiri giving me directions back to the village.

All in all, a pretty successful mission.

Hinata was returned to the village, and put under medical care supervised by Darcy and Sakura immediately. Kye and I got to rest, but I was concerned. Why didn't we run into Orochimaru?

A/N: Sorry for the late update, I've been super busy with school and work. As well as other fanfictions. He he... Anyways, hope you liked it!