Chapter 47
Shikamaru was fast asleep when the doorbell rang. His entire household was, so nobody answered it since it wasn't the emergency bell. It took Sakura knocking on his window to wake him up, teary eyed and shaking. He groaned, rubbed the sleep form his eyes and climbed out of his bed to let her inside.
"What are you doing here at..." He blinked sleepily at his alarm clock. "Two in the morning?"
"Lady Tsunade needs you at the tower immediately," Sakura said. "It's bad... I... Sasuke was kidnapped!"
Shikamaru's heart dropped. He quickly got changed, earning a surprised squeak from Sakura who covered her eyes. He rolled his eyes, wrote a note for his parents, and ushered her out the window to lock it behind them.
"What the hell happened?" Shikamaru asked as they ran down the street.
"Orochimaru's henchmen attacked us at about one in the morning. They tried to entice Sasuke with Orochimaru's power, but he resisted them so they attacked us." Sakura clenched her fists. "I couldn't protect him! I failed-"
Shikamaru didn't have time for the weepy 'I failed' cries. He needed answers. He needed facts.
"Okay, so Orochimaru is involved, along with how many of his men?"
"They call themselves the Sound Four."
"Tell me everything before we get to the Hokage!"
.::.
"Okay, I have a basic idea of some of their attack styles," Shikamaru said. "We know they are probably half an hour ahead of us, but depending on their speed they might be further out. Sasuke is right now probably incapacitated, or if he's awake, he might be able to try hinder their progress, but there are no guarantees right now. If they're heading to Orochimaru we have to beat them to the borders of Konoha."
"Good, Sakura's informed you." Lady Tsunade smiled. "This will be your first mission as a chunin, and your first time leading a mission at that. Your top priority is to bring Sasuke Uchiha back home and not let him fall into Orochimaru's hands."
"Then I'll need a four man squad of chunin and jonin. Izumi would be good right now-"
"Not possible." Lady Tsunade glared daggers at Kakashi who sat meekly on a chair. "And you're not going!"
"I can help track?" Kakashi offered.
"No way in hell!" Tsunade snarled, then turned back to Shikamaru. "We only have a handful of jonin in the village, everyone else is out on missions-"
"Except me-" Kakashi pointed out.
"I will stab you with this kunai and put you in hospital!" Lady Tsunade bristled. "You have thirty minutes to put together as many genin you think can handle this mission."
"As many as I want?" Shikamaru mused. "Alright. This is such a drag, but I'm not about to let one of my classmates get kidnapped by a creepy snake guy."
"I'm going with you," Sakura said, pounding her fists together. "I owe them some payback!"
"Even though you're been recommended to stay off missions," Lady Tsunade mused. "I'll allow it since Sasuke is your teammate. You and Naruto."
"Are you sure you're healed enough?" Shikamaru asked.
"I'll be fine. Lady Tsunade already took a look at me. I'll grab Naruto too and we'll meet up at the main gate," Sakura said.
"I'll go get Choji. We've worked together for years. If you see Ino tell her we need help!" Shikamaru raced out again.
.::.
Sakura paced at the gate. They were running out of time. Naruto was with her, bouncing on his heels, while Choji wolfed down another pack of chips. Kiba leaned against the wall, Akamaru in his arms while Ino fussed with her hair. Shikamaru finally returned, panting, with Neji, Lee and Hinata at his heels.
"Hey, Hinata!" Kiba greeted. "Here for the excitement too?"
Hinata flushed, shifting. "I-I'll do my best."
"Are you okay to go on this mission, Lee?" Sakura frowned.
"Ah, no, I'm just here to see you off." Lee smiled. "My body is still weak from the treatments and medicine."
Kakashi came out of nowhere like a bat from hell, startling them all into flinching. Kakashi panted, but sat Pakkun down. "Okay, I've lost Lady Tsunade for a few seconds. My hounds Urushi and Akino were tailing Sasuke and the Sound Four. Pakkun can help you guys track them since Akamaru and Kiba don't know my hounds scents and there isn't time for me to get anything distinctive-"
"KAKASHI!" Lady Tsunade yelled from across the street, rushing his way.
"Pakkun, once you guys have Sasuke, give me the signal and I'll summon you with Sasuke. If you're lucky Izumi might also catch up to you if Shiba catches up to her in time-" He squeaked when Lady Tsunade caught up to him, latching on to his arm.
"I said you're not going with them!"
"Ah, there's no need to worry, Lady Tsunade-"
"I swear I'm going to break your leg so you can't walk," Lady Tsunade hissed, earning a nervous laugh.
Shikamaru smirked. "Thanks, Kakashi sensei. Your info will come in handy." He straightened up. "Now, we're going to have a formation, don't wander off from it, otherwise it'll put yourselves and others in jeopardy, including the mission. We could die if they're any mistakes. We're here to rescue Sasuke from the Sound Four, who all have different abilities and curse marks that amplify those abilities. The first one, Jirobo has an Earth release style and can absorb chakra. He's the big muscular one. He's supposed to be the strongest, so our heavy hitters will need to deal with him. Naruto, Choji, Kiba, Sakura that means you four."
"Just leave it to us, Shikamaru!" Naruto grinned.
"Yeah, we'll kick his ass!" Kiba smirked.
"Next is Sakon," Shikamaru continued. "Who might be the most dangerous one out of them all as we don't have much information on him. Sakura said he was the fastest, but other than that, we know nothing except he's pale and has an odd shape on the back of his neck."
"Yeah, he didn't really need to do much, we were already having trouble with all four of them teaming up together." Sakura grimaced.
"Yeah, that is going to be a pain," Shikamaru grunted. "But right now focus. We have Tayuya, the only female ninja of the squad. She's fast, nimble and evasive. She also has a flute that can produce genjutsus. So we'll have to be careful not to fall into her traps."
"Yes, but if she is a long ranged fighter, then I might be able to take her out in close range combat," Neji mused.
"Yeah, me and Akamaru can take her down." Kiba grinned wolfishly.
"Yes, but you have to get to her before she puts you under a genjutsu," Sakura said. "That was the problem I had."
"Last but not least, Kidomaru has six arms," Shikamaru sighed. "He's quick on his feet and doesn't miss weaknesses. He also uses spider webs to restrain his opponents which his chakra is constantly flowing through."
"He might be an enemy suited to Lady Hinata and I then. We should be able to cut through those threads with our Gentle Fist," Neji said.
"Right, as for formation. Hinata, Kiba, you're our best trackers. You will be with Pakkun at the front for the entire time, your Byakugan can scout the way, and Kiba, Akamaru and Pakkun's noses can smell out our enemies scents. Your group will also be our best line of sight in the dark." Shikamaru frowned. "Next will be me. I'll be able to give any orders from my position behind Kiba with hand signals." He eyed Naruto. "You're next Naruto, your shadow clone jutsu and speed will enable you to support us if we get attacked from the front or behind."
"Yeah!" Naruto cheered. "You can count on me."
"Ino, Sakura, you're behind Naruto. Choji, you're not very fast, but you have the greatest striking power. Your job is to finish off any enemies the rest of us up front attack." Shikamaru smiled.
Choji grinned.
"Lastly, Neji. Neji, you're our eyes in the back. It's the most difficult job, but I believe you can do it." Shikamaru began drawing in the dirt. "Verify your target lookout positions, and while we do that, show me what weapons and equipment you have."
"Alright, any questions?" Shikamaru asked.
No one spoke up. Sakura's mind was reeling. Shikamaru had analysed the situation so fast and had put together the best possible team positions despite only just having gathered them up. It was mind blowing.
"Okay, good. One last thing though," Shikamaru said. "Sasuke and I aren't the best of friends or anything. Fact, we barely know each other, but we are comrades. Therefore, I will risk my life to rescue him. The Hokage entrusted your lives to me for this task, and I will do my best as team leader to get us all home again."
Lady Tsunade smiled warmly.
Kiba grinned. "Spoken like a real chunin, Shikamaru."
"Right, let's move out!"
"Good luck, everyone." Lee waved. "I know you'll succeed. Neji, I'll let Tenten know where you've gone once she gets back from her mission."
"Thank you, Lee." Neji patted his shoulder.
Pakkun looked at Kakashi and nodded.
"I'll bring them home, Kakashi."
"Thank you, Pakkun." Kakashi smiled. "Stay safe."
Pakkun nodded once more and they all sprinted off.
.::.
Kakashi placed a hand on Lee's shoulder. "Sorry, I know you wanted to go with them."
Lee smiled shakily. "I bet you wanted to go as well."
"Yeah, but Lady Tsunade ordered me to wait with her." Kakashi rubbed his head sheepishly.
Lady Tsunade glared. "And yet you disobeyed."
"I had things I needed to share with the kids?"
"You should have sent a messenger."
"Can I wait with you, Kakashi sensei?" Lee asked.
"If it keeps him in the tower then yes," Lady Tsunade said. "Actually, if it keeps you both sitting down I would be relieved! Now, come on. It's nearly three in the morning, and both of you could use some rest."
"The baby's still kicking." Kakashi smiled, a strained smile.
Lady Tsunade sighed.
.::.
Sasuke's head throbbed. He felt sore, achy and very drowsy. He blinked blearily, and realised it was still dark, as a cool breeze swept through his hair. They were travelling quickly through the forest as he struggled to think. His thoughts were so foggy.
Okay, he needed to think. There were hands on his arms and legs. He was pressed up against someone's back with his head rested in the crook of someone's neck. A piece of cloth gagged him, and his hands were pressed together behind his back with what felt like straps.
He remembered Sakura screaming, thrashing about on the ground, while the other woman's foot dug into her back. He had been about to try release her from the genjutsu, but Kidomaru had grabbed him from behind as Sakon attacked from the front to distract him, then something had pricked his neck.
"He's waking up early," Kidomaru said, and his hold on Sasuke tightened when Sasuke tried to pull back. "Relax, Sasuke. You're with us now. So be a good Omega and just stay still."
"He's awake?" Sakon slowed down until he was beside Kidomaru. "You weren't supposed to wake up until we delivered you to Lord Orochimaru."
Sasuke glowered.
"At least he's stopped whining about that stupid pink haired bitch," Tayuya grunted. "Stupid Omegas."
"Don't be disrespectful, Tayuya. Lord Orochimaru is an Omega too," Jirobo said.
"Shut up, fatty!"
"Enough now, our guest shouldn't have to listen to you two bickering." Sakon gestured for Kidomaru to stop. "We'll need you later, Sasuke, but for now it's better if you slept. You're much better behaved when you are."
Sasuke squirmed, but Sakon grabbed his hair, forced his head to the side to reveal his neck, and something sharp pricked it again. Sasuke groaned into the gagged, his head growing even foggier, the world blurring, even as Sakon lowered his neck back down against Kidomaru's neck.
"There's a good boy." A hand ruffled his hair as everything grew dark once more.
.::.
"There's so many traps!" Shikamaru complained. "What a drag."
"Yeah, but at least we know they're finally resting." Kiba said. "Which is handy for us since-" He cursed. "Naruto, watch out for traps!"
Hinata squeaked.
"I'm fine-" Naruto complained, as he was about to step on a trap.
Hinata dived in and pushed him, sending him flying back right into Neji's grasp. Naruto yelped, startled, while Kiba snarled.
"You moron!"
"Yeah, what the hell, Naruto?" Sakura scolded. "Be more careful! You're lucky Hinata shoved you back!"
"T-Thanks, Hinata," Naruto said shakily.
Hinata flushed. "N-No problem!" She quickly inched her way beside Kiba, pressing close to him, so close she almost hid behind him. "I-I'm h-happy to help..."
"Lady Hinata," Neji sighed, pushing Naruto back into a steadier stance. "Don't hide away like that."
"R-Right."
Kiba scowled. "Oi, don't tell my girlfriend what to do-"
"GIRLFRIEND?!" Sakura, Ino and Naruto yelped.
Hinata went bright red.
"Now is not the time!" Shikamaru hissed.
"He's right," Pakkun said. "I can smell Urushi and Akino. We've caught up."
"Nice." Shikamaru smirked.
"Guess it's time to show off my new jutsu." Naruto grinned.
"Yeah? Well I've got a new one too," Kiba said.
"Me too." Choji nodded.
"Before everyone goes charging off with fancy new jutsus," Shikamaru sighed. "I've got a plan."