𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐀 𝐇𝐘𝐔𝐆𝐀 𝐓𝐖𝐈𝐍

Getting Sasuke Back, Pt. 3

"The Kaguya clan usually specializes in close-range combat so Hanara, Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara should take him," Shikamaru blurted, "I, Kiba, and Naruto, will be a distraction."

"Right!" everyone chorused.

Kankuro took out his puppet and quickly attached his chakra threads to it as Temari and Hanara pulled out their fans and Gaara unplugged his gourd. Hanara took to the skies and started using chakra threads to chase Kimimaro, who was also being attacked by poisoned senbon from Crow and sand from Gaara. The Kaguya was doing well in defending himself, especially since he was getting kunai and shadows thrown at him. However, he coughed and couldn't evade Hanara's chakra thread.

'It's connected! Game over, Kimimaro.'

Hanara held him still and Gaara released a shower of sand onto Kimimaro.

"Sand Coffin," Gaara rasped, squeezing his hand shut.

And then Kimimaro was dead.

They hadn't even been running for a full minute before Sasuke's box let out purple smoke.

"What's happening?" Kiba asked as Akamaru buried himself into Kiba's sweater.

'Byakugan!' Hanara thought, staring at the box, 'It's that weird mark! It's enhanced Sasuke's chakra levels and is affecting his mind a lot more... we've got to keep it shut or knock him out! I've gotta get Pho.'

"We need to get that box to the Leaf right now!" Hanara exclaimed, "I'll get Pho and fly myself and Sasuke back to the village. You guys come as fast as you can."

Not waiting for a response, she bit her thumb and ran her fingers through the hand signs for the Summoning Jutsu.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

"Ah, Hanara," Pho smiled, "What do you need?"

"Hi Pho. No time to chat. Please fly me and that box to the Hokage as fast as you can." she responded, pointing at the box in Kiba's hands, "Kiba, toss me it."

Pho nodded and Hanara got on her back after catching the box Kiba threw at her.

Hanara flew into the open window of the Hokage's Office, startling Tsunade and Shizune. Not minding their furious expressions, she tossed the box that contained Sasuke onto the middle of the office.

"The curse mark," she explained, "I think they did something that is enhancing it. It's almost done, get him to a stable location. The mark might affect his mind."

"Shizune! Get Ibiki and bring Sasuke to an empty hospital room." Tsunade commanded.

"Yes, m'lady," Shizune bowed, hastily exiting the room with the box in her hands and Tonton behind her.

"Hanara, where is the rest of your team?" Lady Tsunade asked.

"The Sand Siblings, Kiba, Shikamaru, and Naruto are all running back to the Leaf right now. Neji and Choji need immediate medical attention," she informed Tsunade, determinedly not thinking about the last two people she mentioned.

"The medical ninja should have reached Neji and Choji," Tsunade said, "I sent some of the fastest ones after them. You can stay here until they arrive."

Hanara nodded, "Thank you, Lady Tsunade."

Hanara and Shikamaru were currently sitting outside Choji's hospital room with Temari across from them.

"It's pointless to be so fidgety," Temari commented, gesturing to Shikamaru's hands, which were cracking his knuckles, "Sacrifices are an inevitable part of a mission. You both received emotional training, didn't you?"