Chapter 55
Kiba had reluctantly went with Sakura and Naruto to try find Kakashi sensei's trail, or Sasuke's, or Izumi's. Akamaru was still tender and sore from that fight with the creepy twin guy, and Hinata was still blind, well, sort of. She could now see blurs and that bastard Neji was hovering over her like a mother hen. It made Kiba reluctant to leave, but the others could use some help. Naruto and Sakura couldn't track to save themselves.
"Oi, how are we going to deal with whoever took Izumi, Kakashi sensei and Sasuke when we're all just genin?" Kiba scowled.
He couldn't let Akamaru get hurt again. Hinata was safe back home, but now Akamaru-
Kiba gritted his teeth and shook off the thought of Akamaru in his lap, whimpering in pain, cowering in fear.
"We're not going in to fight, we're going to sneak into wherever they're being held and analyse the situation," Sakura said.
"Then kick their asses for kidnapping our teammates! Nobody kidnaps Kakashi sensei and Sasuke, and gets away with it!" Naruto yelled.
"And Izumi," Sakura reminded, raising a brow.
"Ah, yeah." Naruto winced. "I'm not used to her being kidnapped."
.::.
Aina had arrived early that morning. She hadn't expected to run into Prince Michiru, and obviously neither had Madara. Michiru had kissed her hand, sniffed her scent, and something about the way his thumb brushed her wrist made her skin crawl. Something wasn't right, and Madara had thought the same thing too because he followed along as 'Tobi', her servant.
"Your servant is a bit strange," Michiru said, pulling her close to his side by her waist. "Do you really need him here? I could have you served better at the castle."
"Tobi is a good boy." Aina smiled sweetly.
"Yes!" Tobi beamed. "Tobi is a very good boy. Tobi is here to serve the Lady Courtesan. Tobi vows to wash her clothes, style her hair, rub her feet, prepare her food and tea-"
"He'll be at this for a little while," Aina said. "Tobi does his best to serve me after all."
It was a little baffling to think how Tobi was really Madara Uchiha. Their personalities were completely and utterly at the opposite scales, yet here they were. Madara's acting ability was rather terrifying, Aina had to admit, and she pretended to love the murderers who took her clan from her.
"I don't know about him..." Michiru frowned. "Is he an Omega?"
"He is indeed."
Not. Madara was an amazing actor after all, so why wouldn't he smell the part when he's acting like innocent, energetic Tobi?
"He can show the other Omegas how good it is to be obedient then!" Michiru beamed. "I've been told our newest girl Omega is quite the troublemaker."
"Really now?" Aina mused as their Omega escort, a poor quiet meek thing, escorted them deeper into the prison.
"Yes, but I hope to have her marry me! I'm looking for more wives now after my Amayo started acting up so badly. She's constantly misbehaving. She keeps trying to leave me and take our son with her, but she belongs to me." Michiru scowled. "She's my Omega. We are mated and bonded and I will not let her go."
Aina remained carefully silent. Tobi had also grown quiet, and she could see him watching Michiru and felt Madara's cold gaze piercing him. Not that the fool had realised it himself. Michiru was still complaining as they arrived before a door where Aina knew the 'dining room' was.
"So I want this beautiful Uchiha to be my next wife!"
Aina froze. Uchiha. He had an Uchiha? And the only known Uchiha female was Izumi Uchiha. What had those fools done?
She felt the murderous intent creeping out of Madara and it made Aina shiver. The door opened up before them and she could see Amayo, Michiru's wife, and what could only be Sasuke Uchiha.
They had taken the last two Uchihas.
"And I want you to be my other wife, Courtesan," Michiru said gleefully. "I want three perfect wives! And who could be any more perfect than you?"
"A wedding?" Tobi squealed happily, jerking her back into an embrace. "THIS IS AMAZING! CONGRATULATIONS, LADY COURTESAN!"
She barely fought off the urge to flinch. Madara Uchiha was hugging her. What the in ever loving-
"Play along," Madara hissed into her ear. "Kakashi is here."
Aina barely managed to keep the amused smile on her face and whispered as she turned in Tobi's embrace, hiding her face as she hugged him back. "What do you mean?"
"He was with Izumi and Sasuke. I wanted to confirm it was them and not some scam, but that is Sasuke Uchiha," Madara whispered. "I need to make sure Kakashi is unharmed, and is in a position to be rescued. He could have any number of seals or nasty little tricks on him to cause him harm should he try to escape."
"I understand." Aina would pretend to love the idea of loving this pig until Madara managed to confirm Kakashi's safety. "And the Uchihas?"
"I'll make sure to grab them too during our little rescue."
"Okay then," Aina breathed out and slipped out of Tobi's arms. "Thank you, Tobi! I love the sound of marrying one of the most wealthiest men in the world."
Amayo looked horrified and disgusted, her face twisted, shoulders hunched defensively.
"Wonderful!" Michiru gasped. "I am so happy you accepted my love so readily, Courtesan!"
What a fool. Aina fought off the urge to roll her eyes and groan in despair. This day was just turning out to be fantastic. Hopefully Madara went and found Kakashi nice and quickly, because Aina might just lose whatever is left of her sanity by the time this day is over.
.::.
"Shikamaru?"
Choji stopped pushing his wheelchair as Temari approached them. He and Choji had been trying to find a good spot for cloud gazing with the wheelchair when she called out to them. Shikamaru tilted his head, then went to speak but Choji walked in front of him, stepping in between him and Temari. Shikamaru had no idea what he was doing, and startled, blinking several times as Choji bowed his head.
Temari looked equally as confused.
"You saved my teammates," Choji said. "Thank you."
Temari threw him a baffled look, and all Shikamaru could do was lightly shrug his shoulders.
"No problem...?" she offered. "Anyway, Shikamaru, how are you doing?"
Shikamaru was even more baffled by that. "Recovering. How about you?"
"We're fine. Gaara got his seals fixed by Master Jiraiya, so we've just been relaxing before we head home," Temari said. "I just wanted to check up on you before we left."
"Thanks, and thanks for saving us too," Shikamaru sighed. "I'll have to repay the debt one day."
"I wouldn't worry about it," Temari said. "I mean it's an Alpha's job to protect Omegas after all."
Shikamaru fought off the urge to scowl, it was Choji who glowered instead.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Choji scowled.
Temari frowned. "Exactly what I said? We're supposed to protect Omegas. Our Omegas are a gift, soft, sweet, kind, like that Hyuga girl. Shikamaru meanwhile baffles me. I mean in our match together you were insane."
Shikamaru shared a baffled look with Choji. "Thanks?"
"You certainly don't act like any Omega I've met, same with most of the Omegas here actually. Sure Konoha has a lot less of you, but you all sure are feisty."
Shikamaru snorted. "Odd to hear that from you." Shikamaru frowned thoughtfully. "What do you know about Omegas from clans, Temari? The ones from Konoha at least?"
"Not much I have to admit," Temari said. "But I can learn about them."
"You might not like what you learn," Shikamaru admitted.
"Tell me." Her eyes hardened.
He debated about it for a moment, but at Choji's encouraging nod Shikamaru forced himself to speak up.
"Clan Omegas aren't allowed to mate outside of our country," Shikamaru said softly.
Temari froze, her eyes wide. "But we're mates..."
"I know..."
"And so are Gaara and Lee-"
"Lee might be fine. He doesn't have a clan..." Shikamaru sighed.
Temari scowled. "That isn't right."
"It might change now that Lady Tsunade is in charge, but for now that is the law," Shikamaru said.
"Mates belong together," Temari insisted. "How can anyone in their right minds separate them?"
Shikamaru offered her another helpless shrug.
"I refuse to accept that. We are mates, and one day when you're old enough I want to start dating you properly," Temari said.
"Oi, oi, you aren't dating my son just like that," Shikaku grumbled.
Shikamaru paused when his dad approached them, reaching down to ruffle his hair.
"Dad?" Shikamaru tilted his head, confused.
"I saw you three gathered over here looking upset," Shikaku said. "I'm guessing you told Temari about the Omega clan problem then?" he sighed, glancing over Temari. "He's right, kid. The laws right now are messy, but they might change sooner or later. You just got to be patient, and before you get the same idea as your brother once did, you will not be kidnapping my son."
Temari laughed sheepishly. "Gaara was a little enthusiastic?"
"You better not be," Shikaku huffed. "My wife and I won't be so easy going as Guy was, and the only reason he was is because Gaara saved Lee's life."
"Don't think any of this is necessary right now considering I haven't even presented," Shikamaru grumbled.
"Fair enough," Shikaku agreed. "C'mon, Shikamaru, your mother has dinner cooking. Choji, would you like to join us?"
"Yes please!" Choji beamed.
"See you later, Shikamaru," Temari said, and turned back, walking the way she came.
"See you, Temari."
Shikamaru remained quiet for a time while his dad pushed the wheelchair away. After a while though he couldn't hold back his smirk and looked up at his dad.
"You're way too jealous," Shikamaru teased.
Shikaku paused. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Sure, you just happen to know the exact moment Temari and I finally get a chance to talk to each other."
"I was in the area."
"Yeah, you definitely where," Choji laughed.
Shikaku rolled his eyes. "Look, one Sand kid has already tried to kidnap their mate, not about to let his older sister kidnap you."
"I guess that is a fair point," Choji said. "Although if she had tried to I would have fought her, and unlike Tenten I fight in close range combat, so if I could get to Temari before she swung her fan I could give her a good punch!"
Shikamaru smiled. "You were in a good position to do that."
"Yeah, not a bad strategy," Shikaku agreed. "Besides, I wasn't the only one being 'jealous', Shikamaru." He poked Shikamaru's head and pointed towards the treeline.
Shikamaru and Choji both spotted Asuma sensei and Shikamaru couldn't help but sigh. Choji smiled and happily waved his way, and Asuma waved back just as cheerfully before leaving the trees and rushing off.
"You guys are terrible. I'm in a wheelchair, not dying, and I won't be in this for for much longer anyway if I can stand it," Shikamaru complained.
"That's the problem, you can't stand right now," Shikaku teased.
"Shut up," Shikamaru groaned. "That was terrible."
.::.
Sakura was worried. Kakashi sensei, Izumi and Sasuke had been kidnapped. They didn't really know anything about their kidnappers, and this time instead of a full team of genin under Shikamaru's command they were going by themselves. Naruto was ploughing on ahead, his eyes full of anger, his scent furious and nasty.
"I'm so sick of people just taking our pack!" Naruto snarled.
"I know it's frustrating, Naruto," Sakura began. "But we have to be careful-"
"I don't care!" Naruto scowled. "Kakashi sensei has been taken away again. Sasuke has been kidnapped too, and even Izumi!"
"That's why it's such a dangerous situation," Sakura insisted.
"Yeah, we gotta take care," Kiba agreed.
"That's easy for you to say. Your team is safe-"
Kiba came to a sudden stop, his scent growing twisted and full of anger. Sakura and Naruto slowed down too, landing down in front of him, Naruto still angry and annoyed, while Sakura looked between the pair, worried. Their scents were really getting aggressive.
"My team is safe?" Kiba growled. "Kurenai sensei was nearly murdered by Itachi Uchiha, who was hunting you for whatever reason. Hinata is blind right now because she helped you save Sasuke, your teammate! Akamaru was nearly killed because, once again, we saved your teammate!"
Naruto faltered.
"So yeah, it's so 'easy for me to say' when all my team has been doing is saving your asses! Shikamaru was stabbed multiple times. Neji nearly died. Choji too. And I don't exactly remember you thanking us for it," Kiba spat. "And yeah, sure, it's not meant to be about that, but you're acting like a complete and utter asshole right now, Naruto."
He stormed up to Naruto. "I get it. Sasuke was kidnapped. Hinata was too during the Chunin Exams, and the fear I felt was one of the worst feelings I've ever felt in my life. At least I thought it was, but then seeing Akamaru almost be murdered? Seeing Hinata blind? Those were horrible too, and yet here I am still helping you. So whatever this asshole thing you've got going on is, get over it."
Sakura couldn't help but lower her head in shame. "Kiba-"
"I don't need an apology or something," Kiba scoffed. "What I need is some damn respect, for me and my team."
"The kid's got it right."
They all jumped. Jiraiya stood above them on a tree branch, smiling down at them.
"Hey." He waved. "It looks like you kids could use a hand."