Chapter 46: Enter and Exit

"We're going to fight, but we are also outnumbered . . ." mumbled Lady Mei as she got into a fighting stance. "Talk about fighting fairly."

"We must be surrounded by at least 200 nin . . ." added Onoki as he scowled at the scene before them. "And where are the other Kage?"

"I guess they're too far away to help the rest of ya . . ." said Sakuya as he shrugged his shoulders. ". . . Too bad for you huh?"

"Before we get this battle started all over again, let me ask you this . . ." said Lady Mei as she took a step forward. "Why are you people kidnapping the Lady Sage in the first place?"

"Those reasons are confidential. The Rain Daimyo has only told a select group of his most trusted ninjas those reasons . . . and we plan to keep them a secret." answered Sakuya as his lips formed into a hard line.

"The Rain Daimyo was the one that ordered this mission?" asked Temari in disbelief as she went slightly wide eyed at the news.

"Indeed . . . he has taken over full control of Amegakure after our last dictator was . . . disposed of," answered Sakuya as his glare went straight to Gaara. "He has ordered us on this mission . . . and we plan to complete this mission . . . Kill them!"

At his command, the Rain nin pounced, leaping in to take on the Kages and their guards. But a large burst of fire from somewhere in the sky stopped the nin from moving any further to the Kages' position. Everyone looked up to see Ryu hovering above them . . . and she wasn't alone.

"Looks like we arrived just in time . . ." said Tsunade as he looked around the area to take in the scene before them.

". . . And not a moment too soon." muttered A as he initiated his Lightning Release Armor. "Lady Tsunade, how many Rain nin do you think I'll be able to take out by just dropping down to the ground?"

"I'd say at least 50," said Tsuanade as she shrugged her shoulders. "But I suppose you can do much more damage."

"He could probably take out a good 75 in my opinion Lady Tsunade." said Kakashi as he looked on sheepishly at his boss.

"82 is my bet." said Shikamaru as he lazily looked on at the scene.

"Hmm . . . what about you two?" asked A as he turned to his bodyguards, Darui and C. "Do you think I can take out more than 82?"

"I'm bad with bets . . ." muttered C as he looked away. "I won't answer that question . . . Sorry."

"Eh . . . I'm going to agree with Shikamaru on this one. 82 is my guess." answered Darui as he readied his weapon.

"HEY. . . Are you guys coming down are not?" called Onoki as he looked up at the group on the dragon. "We don't have all day you know!"

"Alright . . . BUT YOU ASKED FOR IT!" yelled A as he jumped to the ground. It was like a bomb was thrown into the middle of the battlefield. A's landing had such an impact that it sent some of the enemy nin flying to different locations, some even crashing into the nearby trees. Gaara used his sand to protect his allies on the ground while the one on Ryu stayed safe from above. The four Rain nin on the other hand jumped into the trees to escape the impending impact of A's landing.

"Well . . . that's one way to make an entrance." said Kira as she shook her head at the scene before her.

"The Rain Daimyo said that the Raikage was a brute . . . He definitely wasn't kidding." added Karaya as she let a sheepish smirk come across her face.

"We should be making our escape right about now shouldn't we?" asked Hakodo as he turned to his fellow countryman.

"We should . . . but I want to stick around just a little longer," said Sakuya as he looked at his comrades. "I want to see what happens next."

"We shouldn't be pushing our luck Sakuya . . ." muttered Kira as an irritated scowl came across her face.

" . . . Once the ninjas and the samurai finish with our fellow Rain nin, they'll be coming after us and the cocoon," added Karaya as she pointed to the person sized wooden cocoon that was still on the ground. "It's best if we leave quickly while the enemy is distracted. We have to move now."

"You guys go then," said Sakuya as he nodded toward the other direction. "Take the Lady Sage and go. I'll stay behind and cover for you."

"If you say so . . ." muttered Hakodo as he dropped back down to the ground. He easily picked up the large structure like it was basically a pillow and held it along his shoulder. The twins soon joined him on the ground before disappearing from the scene . . . which didn't go unnoticed by some of the fighters on the battlefield.

"The armored man and the twin girls have fled!" called C as he stared at the spot that the three were previously were standing on.

"Not only that . . . they took the cocoon with them!" exclaimed Temari as she sent a wind gust straight at a few enemy ninja that were approaching her.

"Mind telling us why the cocoon is so important?" asked Tsunade as she and her bodyguards jumped down from Ryu and onto the battlefield.

"We believe the wooden cocoon is what they're keeping the Lady Sage in." answered Onoki as he used his Dust Release to send a few enemies flying.

"We need to go after them, and quickly!" said Mifune as he chopped down a few ninjas. All of a sudden, a gust of wind blew across the battlefield, sending snow and tree shards all around the area. Everyone turned to see where the source came from, coming face to face with Sakuya who was walking toward them.

"All Rain nin that are still alive . . . Fall back and cover the others . . . I'll handle these people myself." ordered the coat-clad man as he looked around the area.

"SIR YES SIR!" exclaimed the ninjas as they fell back, going past their leader to follow after the twins and Hakodo.

"You . . . want to take on all of us?" asked A as he ceased his Lightning Armor. "You really want an early death don't ya?"

"Say what you want . . . Your opinions don't matter to me." said Sakuya as he shrugged his shoulders.

"Hmm . . . if you have decided to take us all on, then you must be one skilled shinobi." muttered Onoki as he crossed his arms.

"I don't want to take all of you on . . . just you Kages. The bodyguards can leave if they want." said Sakuya as a nonchalant expression came across his face.

"Now things are getting really suspicious . . ." muttered Mei as she looked at the Rain nin with narrowed eyes.

"Believe what you want . . . but I will remind you of this. The longer you delay the battle, the better the chance my comrades have in their escape." said Sakuya as he put his hands in his pockets.

"He has a point . . ." muttered Gaara as he crossed his arms. "Let's have our bodyguards track the others down. They'll be quicker if they take Ryu."

"Hmm . . . good point," said Tsunade as she turned to the guards. "All of you get on the dragon. NOW!"

The bodyguards did as they were told. Along with Mifune and his samurais, the bodyguards all jumped onto Ryu's back. She then hovered further into the air, before flying away, leaving the Kage to deal with the lone Rain nin themselves. Sakuya watched as the dragon flew away before turning to the Kage, his smirk turning into a full blown smile.

"Now that we got the distractions out the way . . . let's get this party started shall we?"

Please review!