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Muse Lord Mai-chan
Author of 11 Stories |
Igh, I don't think this chapter's as good as other ones... But...
Obito: its still a chapter! The scene wi-
Tobi: Shh, Obito-san! don't spoil it!
Itachi: ...
Tobi: isthisparadise: Well... The news of Kyuubi... I guess you'll have to read that, eh? We're quite glad you loved it.
Obito: Epitaph For Me: The time I finally get to come, and you're off at JazMO's house, geesh. And what's up with the chatspeak? And Yeeaah. Mai's waaay slow. Her birthday was what... A month ago? Yeah. Bad Mai, bad. And we're very touched you made an account just to... tell Mai to hurry up. Good job, Niki-chan.
Tobi: Finally, the chapter is released!
"I should have stayed behind… I probably could have taken them, and got them away from my friends…" He continued to mumble to himself.
Obito, who had shed his goggles in the rain, was about ready to beat the crap out of Akai. He needed to just shut up already. Kakashi lingered behind the group in hopes of his dogs returning with a report. But none came. Lee was on the lookout for enemies, though he relaxed very slightly as they came to the gates. Sakura was walking next to Naruto, amazed at his healing abilities, despite knowing them so well. Tsuki remained silent and grim. Thunder continued to rumble overhead.
The guard tower burst open, the group rushing out. The wet and gloomy group were momentarily startled out of their darkness, but it returned shortly.
"What news do you bring?" Kankurou called, approaching the group swiftly. Kiba and Akamaru splashed after him, with Shikamaru slowly bringing up the rear, bracing himself for the worst.
"None. I sent out my dogs to track them, and they have yet to return." Kakashi voiced from the back. Kiba nodded to Kakashi's comment—it would probably be hard to find any scent through the rain, let alone track it.
"So you bring no news at all? Tch, troublesome." Shikamaru bit his lip, hiding his anger. "Well, we'll escort you to Hokage-sama."
"Thank you, but I think if we made it this far, we can go a bit further on our own." Akai intervened, but with a sharp gaze from Tsuki, he quieted.
"Thank you. Please lead the way, Shikamaru." Tsuki nodded forwards. Shikamaru nodded back and lead the way, the tired group in the middle, and Kankurou, Kiba, and Akamaru bringing up the rear.
Akai looked back at Kiba and Akamaru, his interest sparked slightly. Sure, he was an Ookami, who was a family surrounded by wolves. But any big dog like that was sure to spark his interest. Any comments he had were with held though—he wasn't in a friendly mood.
The Hokage Tower loomed ahead of them, a dark mound in the pouring rain, illuminated every so often by the flashes of lightning. The group hurried on to report so they could relax and get at least one night's rest. Tsuki, Obito, and Akai knew even a night's rest wouldn't be fully given to them—one of their important team members had been kidnapped, and they were going to have to do something about it and fast.
A couple ANBU who were making their way out of the Hokage Headquarters held the door open for the rather large group, eyeing the Kawa-nin carefully. Tsuki adjusted his grip on Naruto, eyeing them back with a praticed level gaze. They climbed the stairs quickly.
Two more ANBU standing in front of the door nodded to them more warmly. "The Hokage has been waiting for you." They spoke monotonously. Kakashi nodded, then headed in as they opened the door. The crowd gathered in the room, facing Tsunade, who watched silently as they entered.
"Well?" She asked as the ANBU closed the door.
"Kangohei Tsume and Temari of the Sand were kidnapped, Tsunade-sama. Akatsuki are the abductors. Both sides received a fair amount of damage, but they managed to get away. My nin-dogs are currently tracking them." Kakashi replied easily. He stepped back as Tsuki stepped forward.
"Ma'am, if you don't mind my asking, I noticed that Naruto, though he was reported to have sustained damage enough to knock him out for this long, he has been found to have no wounds on his body what-so-ever. It would be nice to know about this so called healing ability of his." Tsuki looked Tsunade straight in the eye, his gave unwavering.
Tsunade stared back, her gaze even with Tsuki's. Then she smiled. "I guess you do have a right somewhat. But this isn't any light secret. Shizune! Take Naruto to the hospital. See that he gets attention." She ordered her assistant.
"Hai, Hokage-sama." Shizune approached Tsuki bravely and took Naruto from his back, dragging him easily to the doors, where the ANBU helped her from there.
"If you don't mind, ma'am, I think I would like a short visit to the hospital as well…" Kakashi spoke up. He was finally able to move easily without Lee's help, but no matter how easy it seemed, it was still hard on his sore and chakra-less muscles. But there was something in his eyes that told them he didn't really want to be here.
"Hai. You're dismissed, Kakashi." Tsunade nodded to him. Kakashi bowed stiffly and left the room.
Tsunade sighed, drinking a small sip of sake before slamming the cup down and looking at them. "I hope you've all heard the tale of the Biju."
"Yes—We have." Tsuki nodded. He had personally made sure his group had known about them. "I can't speak for your own ninja though."
Lee and Sakura looked to one another in silence. They knew all about the biju, having been required to learn the secrets of the nine biju in their attempts at battling Akatsuki. Stiffly, they nodded to Tsunade.
Tsunade sat back in her chair with another sigh, then looked at the group. "Then you know that many of the Hidden Villages have attempted to use the biju to their advantage, be it in war or to prevent war by showing who's the most powerful."
"Your point?" Tsuki asked, already dreading the answer. His village had a biju of its own.
"Naruto is a Jinchuuriki – or one of those who the Biju have been imbedded into. He carries Kyuubi no Kitsune – The nine-tailed fox. Kyuubi gives Naruto supernatural powers, such as healing and unlimited chakra." Tsunade announced monotonously. "Akatsuki probably attacked the group in hopes of capturing him. When Akai managed to get away with Naruto, they probably thought they would take something to trade for Naruto, that something being Tsume and Temari."
"Wait, how did you now I was the one who took Naruto?" Akai burst out. Sakura and Lee looked to him in surprise at his outburst to the Hokage.
Tsunade looked to him. "You were still within range for me to watch your group. How else would I be able to send reinforcements? Anyways, enough questions. You have a couple days' rest, or until Kakashi's Nin-dogs return and report. Then you will set out to rescue Tsume and Temari. Your base will be at Kawagakure no Sato. I have already arranged this with the Yajuukage. You will have to move quick and silent. The group will be a large one, for we won't be able to send anymore reinforcements to aid you."
Tsuki nodded. "We can use the Shiki quarter for housing."
Tsunade nodded. "Good. See Shikamaru for the list of your reinforcements—he's already gone out and forewarned those coming along. And please be careful. Dismissed, no further questioning." Tsunade obviously had a hangover.
The group was silent, and didn't move for several moments. They then began to disperse, leaving through the door in clumps. Obito, feeling his injuries again and not looking forward to having to go on a rescue mission so fast, decided to head straight to the place they were staying, get a bit of rest, then head to the hospital to see how Mai was coming along in her recovery.
Akai, who was already acting strange, had plans for heading to the furthest training area and going on a rampage. Never before had he felt so angry, and a bit powerless. His childhood friend and rival had been kidnapped, and more than anything, he wanted to do something about it. Immediately.
Tsuki, on the other hand, was making plans to sleep. Never before had he felt so tired in his life. He felt his age was beginning to catch up to the sturdy ninja. So naturally, he was going to do what he felt easiest for now. Sleep. And maybe throw in some meditation somewhere.
The Rest of the group, still mumbling about all the trouble that was going on, dispersed off to other duties, or to restock on equipment. For the returning group, there was nothing more that they felt they needed than a good rest. And thus it went.
"Geesh, say hello why don't you?" came Mai's voice as Obito pulled his jacket and goggles off. Obito turned around and stared.
"Wait… Am I hallucinating?" Obito asked, staring at Mai, who had her arms crossed, leaning against the door frame.
"Last time I checked, no…" Mai frowned. "You okay?"
"Are you okay?" Obito asked, remembering her sudden fainting.
"A lot better than I was." Mai smiled. "I just got out of the hospital a couple hours ago. Went to the hot springs and relaxed a bit, and came back. And boy are those some wonderful hot springs."
Obito noted how Mai was attempting to avoid the subject of the mission results. Someone must have told her what happened, as far as Tsume and Temari were concerned. "So Ts-" He frowned and coughed. Mai frowned as well.
"We have to face it, I guess." She mumbled. "Kankurou and Shikamaru came and told me what happened, along with some dog boy named Kiba and his rather large dog named Akamaru."
"We met them at the gate."
Mai simply nodded. "So what's our next move?"
"We have to rescue them. Tsunade's going to send out a party in a couple days. We're making Kawagakure the home base. Tsuki's offered your clan's buildings for somewhere to stay."
Mai sighed. "Not like they really get used anymore… There are only a handful of the Shiki clan left."
Obito smiled sadly. "Yeah. The Ookami clan will probably join you in that soon. I'm worried about them, and Akai. By the way, why are you in Akai's and my room cooking, if you don't mind my asking?"
"Um… I felt like it… I guess." Mai replied, looking a bit perplexed herself. "Well… Actually I was lonely… I think Kuro was kidnapped along with Temari… So I came in here in hopes of cheering up, being around where you and Akai were, you know?"
Obito grinned at her in hopes of getting rid of the darkness that had settled. "Well, you going to feed me or what?"
"I don't think I will, if that's what you're expecting." Mai grinned back. "Feed yourself, you big baby."
The two left the room, leaving the darkness behind for the moment.
"Y-you really shouldn't do that, mister." A soft timid voice rose. Akai turned and saw Hinata, Kiba, and Akamaru watching him. Kiba was frowning, his arms crossed, while Hinata watched him sadly through her silvery eyes.
Akai turned away, not having anything to say. He really didn't need to take it out on the tree. The tree was just living its now non-existant life. Shame attempted to cover Akai, but he pushed it away. A wet tongue scraped along his bloody knuckles. Looking down, Akai looked into the dark eyes of the large Akamaru.
"Akamaru, eh? Red. We're alike, aren't we?" He talked to the dog. Akamaru looked at him, not replying.
"He must be a close friend of yours, eh?" a voice talked behind him, almost mockingly. Akai turned and glared at Kiba, who grinned back. "Akamaru and I are like that. The best of buds, inseparable. What I would do if he were kidnapped was not beat up trees and feel sorry for myself."
Akai stared at Kiba. The mutt was trying to tell him something. "Go on." Akai spoke levelly. "I'm listening."
Kiba stared at him. "Wow, you are dumb."
"What!" Akai growled, his pride hurt.
"M-mister Akai, you sh-should work on rescuing him, n-not beat up helpless trees." Hinata spoke up, a hand on her comrade's elbow.
Akai went silent. I guess mutt has a point. I am pretty dumb. Akai thought. "Yeah, you're right. I'm off. Thanks for the advice." Akai waved and walked back towards the village.
"Hey! I'm not done talking to you!" Kiba yelled, racing after the wolf ninja. "You still have to-"
"Not on the pain of death." Tsume snarled. The voice remained quiet. A flash- red eyes gleamed at the Kawa Ninja.
"72 hours of torture, commencing n-"
"Kai. I'm not looking into those eyes." Tsume closed his eyes, focusing on reality, rather than the torture of the Sharingan. Being a medic ninja, he had studied the effects of Genjutsu. In his studies, he had come across the Sharingan. He studied it as deeply as possible. But where he had thought there was only one, two, or three tomoe, all shaped as comas, this Sharingan was different. More powerful, even. When Obito had come, he had gotten a chance to further study the Sharingan in its natural environment. But likewise, he had never heard of such a Sharingan as the one that was glaring him down right now.
"That's enough for now, Itachi-san." Came a gruff voice. It was like sandpaper, rough and gritty. It had a slight hiss to it, but not enough to be like a snake. Tsume inwardly sighed with relief. He was tired.
"Hn." The red eyes disappeared from Tsume's mind's eye, and with a swirl of cloth, Tsume was lifted and taken out of the room. The blue skinned Akatsuki member held him captive, holding the scrawny medic-ninja effortlessly with one hand. They walked down many dark halls, the walls made of rough stone. Once they passed another member—a blonde, his hair covering the left eye like a waterfall of deep gold.
Finally, they arrived at a large stone door. The blue skinned man pulled the door open, what little light there was streaming into the darkness. A pair of eyes glittered in the darkness. Tsume was roughly thrown into the chamber, the door slammed shut behind him. Darkness filled the room.
"You okay?" came Temari's voice softly.
"Yeah. I'm fine." Tsume replied, picking himself up as the chakra wires disintegrated. "I've been better though."
"I think all three of us have." Temari's voice replied, a bit of venom on it. A pitiful meow came from where her voice was as Kuro spoke up. Of the three, he was by far the weakest, though he wasn't interrogated at all.
"How's Kuro doing?" Tsume asked, feeling his way to where Temari was sitting.
"Not as good as I wish I could say. He needs milk." Temari replied, stroking the kitten. She looked at Tsume, who had a weird look on his face from what she could tell in the darkness. "And no, females can't make milk just because they feel like it. I thought you would know that."
"I do know that." Tsume replied.
"Then why are you looking at me like that?"
"Just thinking."
"Yeah right. Tell me, Mr. Medic, what is your godly mind thinking?"
"I know a jutsu used for mothers who loose their milk early in the breast feeding stage."
"Oh god no."
"Its just a thought, just a thought." Tsume replied.
"Besides, they took all our chakra with that big wrapped thing. Not much we could do a-"
"Its amazing what you can store in your stomach." Tsume abruptly interrupted her. "The stomach has a powerful acid in it. But there are some things that can survive that acid."
Temari just stared at Tsume. "Are you saying…?"
"Yeah, I have something in my stomach that's full of special soldier pills for Kawa Ninjas. Since we specialize in summoning, we have to have a lot of Chakra. When we're low on chakra, all we have to do is upheave, and walla, instant bag of specially designed soldier pills with a powerful punch."
"I'm still not breast feeding a cat." Temari narrowed her eyes.
"I said it was an idea." Tsume said again. "Not an order."
"Right."
"But believe me, by the time we're about ready to break out of here, you may want to try it."
"…" Temari snorted, and ignored Tsume for the rest of their peaceful moments.
"No sir." Itachi replied. "My brother knows nothing either, other than that Orochimaru is on the move."
"Right. Anything on Naruto?"
"No sir."
"No matter. We have all the time in the world." The dark figure turned away. "Dismissed."
Itachi bowed, and backed out of the shadowy room. The dark figure sighed, and opened a window.
His hair shone golden-orange, but his face remained in shadow. Looking out the window, the Leader of Akatsuki dreamed about a better world, and his long lost son.
Kiba: OH MY DOGS! Breast feed a cat! (cracking up to the max)
Kankurou: That's a disturbing sight. What's with the long lost son stuff?
Lee: He must be missing his flame of youth! oh what a poor soul!
Shikamaru: Don't do it Temari! Don't do it!
Kiba: Do it! DO IT! JUST FREAKING DO IT!
Kankurou: Oh boy. Review please.
