It felt like days before we even came close to even getting any clues to the whereabouts of Orochimaru's hideout.

But we finally did it, with the help of Keahebi, who, for some reason, seemed reluctant to lead us there.
We finally found a cement staircase leading underground, and judging by the snake statues, with gold glowing eyes, this had to be his hideout.
"Do you guys think this is it?" Daisuke muttered.
"Only one way to find out." I replied.
"Setsuki-san, Susumu-kun, Daisuke-kun, do you really think this is safe?" Lee asked. We all shook our heads, knowing the consequence of coming here, which is death. We were well aware that if we got caught, there'd be no escaping.
Lee seemed a little uneasy though, I think we all were, but we had to continue on inside if we wanted to get Komaru-sensei back. Daisuke stepped up and made the first move. He started to make his way down the staircase, where you couldn't see inside because it was pitch black. Susumu and I followed, Lee followed behind us. Keahebi suddenly disappeared.
We all spoke in hushed voices. "It's so dark, I can't see a thing.." Daisuke muttered.
"If Keahebi hadn't of vanished.. he could've lead the way.." I mentioned.
"True.." Daisuke replied.
"I think I see a torch up ahead." Lee said. We all saw a tiny flicking fire mounted on the wall. As we approached it, it became to get lighter, but still fairly dim, the torches were spaced roughly 10 metres apart, making just enough light to see where we were going. We stayed close against the wall in a single line formation, leading was Daisuke, Susumu, Me and Lee at the back.
"Be careful of traps. This place has to be crawling with them." Susumu said. We all raised our guard after that remark.
"Where... do you think they're keeping Komaru-sensei?" I asked.
"Why don't we split up and search? It should make it quicker.." Susumu mentioned.
"Yeah.. but then again it would make us more vulnerable.. I mean, if we just so happened to run into Orochimaru... we'd be goners." Daisuke responded.
"What if we go in pairs..?" I suggested. They looked at me momentarily in thought. Both Lee and Daisuke stared sparks into each others eyes for some reason.
"If we do, then I will be with Setsuki-san." Lee said.
Daisuke flinched. "No, I wanna be with Suki-chan!"
"It is too late, Daisuke-kun, I have already stated it! I will protect Setsuki-san with my life!"
"Can you two shut up? You're getting louder.. jeez." Susumu grumbled. Daisuke looked at me questioningly.
"Why don't we see who she wantsto go with? Setsuki, do you wanna go with me, or that weirdo?" Daisuke asked. I was tempted to say Susumu, just to stir up the situation, but then I began to think, Daisuke-kun and Lee-san don't really seem to like each other for some reason, so if they got into trouble... I look up from my thoughts and take a step backwards, bumping into Lee purposely.
"I'll go with Lee-san." I said. Daisuke's jaw dropped.
"Actually, I guess that's a smart tactic." Susumu mentioned. "If you and I go together, Daisuke, we know each other better than I do with Lee. Therefore I can determine your skills Daisuke. Same goes for Lee and Setsuki, the two of them seem to be rather close too. Therefore they know each other's abilities quite well. It all works out. And besides, if you went with Lee the two of you would only fight."
Daisuke folded his arms, pouting. "Fine." He huffed. The path went two ways, left and right.
"Setsuki, Lee, you two go left, we'll go right." Susumu instructed. We nodded and went our separate ways.

I could feel every strand of hair on my body standing up-right from fear, my heart was racing too. Lee noticed. He put a hand on my shoulder, and when I looked at him he gave me a reassuring smile. I felt a little safer with him there, so I walked close beside him, and his arm wrapped around my shoulders, making me feel safer.
"Are you alright, Setsuki-san?" Lee asked in a hushed voice. I gave a hesitant nod.
"Yeah... I'm okay."

We walked for what seemed like forever, down this one straight corridor. No interruptions. We were beginning to feel uneasy, what if these evil guys were planning an ambush?
"It's getting a little darker.." I mention. Lee nodded in concur, his arm still resting across my shoulders.
"Please do not worry, Setsuki-san. I will protect you with my life." He said. I glimpse at him, his face full of determination. He was serious. To be honest that made me feel a little happy, happier than it should've. "No opponent is too strong for my burning flames of youth!" I cracked a smile.
We walked a little longer until we heard a voice, or rather two voices. One saying 'I'll take care of the rodents.' Both Lee and I heard it. We couldn't see anyone, but it was clear that we've been found out. Lee suddenly stepped in front of me protectively, and in a fighting stance, ready to take on anything. It was really inspiring.
But I didn't have time to gawk at Lee, we were in a serious situation. Footsteps echoed down the corridor, getting louder and louder, until they stopped.
"Well well, what have we here?"
I knew that voice. I would know it anywhere. My heart almost skipped a beat. I step out from behind Lee, my eyes saw what matched my mind. "K-Kabuto!" I stuttered.
Light reflected from his glasses, making his eyes unseeable. "My my, how unfortunate that you must find yourself here.. I'm afraid all rodents must be taken care of. No hard feelings." Kabuto sneered. "But don't worry, I'll make it quick." He raised his hand, it started to glow blue.
"Stay back Setsuki-san!" Lee said, stepping forward. Kabuto took a step back, readying a running start at Lee. Lee countered this by kicking off the ground with such a powerful force that the ground cracked beneath where he was standing. "Leaf Hurricane!"
Lee's attack was extremely fast, but somehow Kabuto managed to evade it, he struck Lee across the back with his glowing hand. Lee cried out and cringed in pain, he tumbled to the ground. It made me flinch.
"The more you move around and avoid me, the more painful your death will be. Lets see if this next rodent will make a wiser choice." Kabuto sneered again. His tone was getting on my nerves, the back of my neck felt itchy again for some reason.
"Kabuto! It's me!" Iexclaim. He merely adjusted his glasses. "It's me, Setsuki! Kabuto, please!" I couldn't believe I was pleading.
"Don't think I don't know who you are. Setsuki." He scoffed my name. It caused me to clench a fist. Why was he like this? Or was this all an act because maybe Orochimaru was watching? I quickly scan around the area just in case. "Don't look away from me, that's just rude." Kabuto started running at me with his glowing hand. I glimpse at Lee who was finding his feet, but his back had a nice gash with blood dripping all over the place. It looked painful, but he was treating it like it was nothing.
I turn back to Kabuto who was inches away. I close my eyes. Water Substitution Jutsu. His hand sliced right through my stomach, cutting all the way through like a bread slice. Water gushed out when the attack hit, and my body collapsed to a mere puddle of water. It was up to Lee to buy some time, until my body regenerated.
"Mmph. Substitution? How annoying." Kabuto grumbled, adjusting his glasses again. When he raised his head, he almost flinched at Lee's fist about to smack his face, he leaned back just in the nick of time. Lee kept swinging punches, one after the after, leaving no sign of slowing down. Kabuto kept dodging, sliding backwards each time, until he hit the wall. His expression showed somewhat uncomfortableness about his situation. Lee built up power in one arm, and threw a heavy punch, aimed right at Kabuto's face. Kabuto was barely able to dodge such speed, by ducking. It took a split second for Kabuto to pierce Lee's stomach while he still had his fist stuck in the wall. Lee, again, fell, cringing tightly this time. He was in so much pain, I couldn't stand watching. I focused a lot more chakra than I should've to make my body regenerate faster.
"I can't believe you left me an opening.." Kabuto sneered towards Lee, adjusting his glasses again.
"Lee! Are you alright!?" I question.
"I-I.. will be.. f-fine.. Setsuki-san.." Lee whimpered. I face Kabuto, he faced me. We made eye contact briefly, before he lunged at me again, with his glowing hand. Kabuto almost hit me, I managed to jump out of the way just in time, but he followed me straight away, it was a hopping game for a moment. I had to protect Lee, no matter what. It also seemed like Kabuto wasn't going to be nice this time, so I'd have to try and knock him unconscious somehow. Lee was on his feet again. I couldn't believe him.
Kabuto stopped, he stood there for a moment, watching us for some reason. Was he planning something? I turn to Lee, his green had turned to red from the blood.
"L-Lee.."
"I will be fine, Setsuki-san." Lee faced Kabuto again, his expression focused.
"Well isn't this annoying.." Kabuto grumbled, still standing there. We face Kabuto, ready for his next move. "I should've expected this.."
That's when I noticed his shadow, it had a very long line extended down the corridor. I heard a snicker, then;
"SETSUKI-CHWAAAN!" My eyes widen as the blondie appeared out of nowhere and tackled me to the ground.
"GAH!"
"ARE YOU ALRIGHT?! YOU'RE NOT HURT ARE YOU?!"
"I-I'm fine Daisuke.." I sweatdrop. "Hey, get off!" I push Daisuke off and rush over to Lee who was crouching. Daisuke frowned, but his eyes widened at the sight of Lee.
"What happened to you?!" Daisuke questioned. I knelt beside Lee then frowned at Kabuto. Susumu walked out of the shadows, maintaining his hold on Kabuto.
"I-I am fine."
"Pfft, mate you're anything but fine. Look at you!" Daisuke retorted. Kabuto looked at Susumu, then smirked. Susumu gave a serious expression. A black shadow crawled up Kabuto's leg, coiling around it then around his waist and up his stomach to his neck, it then coiled around his neck tightly. Kabuto clenched his teeth, his smirk disappeared and he began to sweat slightly.
"Wipe that smirk off your face." Susumu growled. I turn my attention back to Lee. Daisuke was grabbing bandages out of his pouch. It was odd, one minute they're like rivals, now they're best friends. I'll never understand boys.
Daisuke bandaged Lee up, a little tightly, but it was alright. It stopped the bleeding at least. The three of us stood up and faced Kabuto and Susumu, who was starting to falter.
"Lee, sit down this time, we'll take care of him." I said. Lee seemed reluctant, he did not sit down.
"But Setsuki-san, I said I would protect you. I cannot go against my word." Lee said. Daisuke seemed irritated.
"I'll protect her now." Daisuke said, putting his hand on Lee's shoulder, forcing him down.
Kabuto started to snicker as the shadows slowly began to release him, due to Susumu's growing fatigue. These three weren't going to stop till Kabuto was dead, but I didn't want them to kill him.. but I wasn't going to say it out loud..
Suddenly, Susumu fell unconscious to the ground, as if being hit by something powerful. Then seconds after, Daisuke did the same thing, then Lee, then I felt something heavy smack my head, immediately everything went black.