Turning of Time (Naruto Fanfic) [hiatus]

Turning of Time: Chapter 32

__Kakashi Pov__

I lead the team at a run, the three in a line behind me. We had gotten a late start to the mission thanks to Naruto, who had been delayed by some group of kids.

Our mission was to stop a group of bandits from attacking a passing caravan. If we failed to arrive in time to stop them before, there would be another team assigned to guard them in case of an attack. We were currently about an hour from where their hideout should be.

I stopped however when I saw a hawk circling in the sky. I held up my arm and it swooped down to land on it. There was a message attached to the leg and I quickly undid the strap, opening the message.

It was from Asuma, whose team had been assigned to guard the caravan. It was hastily written, but clear in what was happening. The letter said the following:

To team 7,

This message is hoped to reach you before you make contact with the bandits. Unfortunately, you have arrived too late to stop them from attacking the caravan, don't worry however, we drove them off. No lives were lost.

I let out a sigh of relief when I read that. I would have hated myself if anyone had died due to my carelessness. I glanced over my shoulder at my team. They were stopped on the branch behind me with curious looks. I ignored that and turned back to the letter.

However, there is one thing that did go wrong. Due to uncontrollable circumstances it appears that they took a hostage.

This time there was a sinking feeling in my gut as I predicted where this was going. Sure enough, it said the sentence that made a cold hand of guilt and fear, clutch my heart.

The hostage was Sara.

Ino saw the entire exchange happen and they demand a ransom. Also, due to Sara's own message we are not to go after her until the caravan has passed the border. Trusting in that she has a plan I have continued the mission and should see the caravan off by late morning tomorrow.

Hoping you trust her as well, I ask that you hold off on the attack that will be launched against the bandits. Ino says she has information, but Sara explicitly told her not to tell us until we were outside the camp. After our mission is finished we will meet up with you at the location on the map I drew. We will arrive by tomorrow afternoon.

Team 10

I looked to the bottom corner and saw a map of the forest. The clearing where Asuma wanted to meet was only 5 miles from the bandits' camp. I turned and faced my team.

"There's been a change of plans. I'll explain everything in a bit, but follow me to a clearing for a second," I commanded, not letting any emotions show through my voice.

"What are you talking about Kakashi-sensei!? I thought we were going to waste those bandits!" Naruto complained loudly.

"Idiot. Didn't you listen? Kakashi said there was a change of plans," Sasuke said in his indifferent, yet smug way.

"What was that!?" Naruto raised his fist and faced Sasuke, gearing up for a fight.

Their teamwork was still in shambles. "Now, now. Calm down. We have a mission, and we'll still finish it, but something has come up. Understand?" They all faced me and then one by one they all nodded. "Good, now let's go."

With that we jumped off, with me in the lead guiding them to the rendezvous point.

_-_.,zZ

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN HOSTAGE!?" Naruto shouted at me as he stood up. I could tell that this would take a while for him to calm down.