A Deadly Attraction

Part 14

Neji's P.O.V.

"Sir, We've traced the colorful garments and surviving members back to a certain clan." Said one of investigating ninjas.

"The attackers belong to the Hofuku clan."

"The Hofuku clan? I've never heard of them." I said, racking my brain, trying to get it to think of anything other than (Y/N).

"They're a makeshift clan who have been around just about as long as the Poscuro clan. They're like the evil twin. They've centered their entire belief or whatever it is they do around showing how bad the Poscuros are. everyone brushed them off since the Poscuros wasn't a real problem, but now they have legitimate ground on the Poscuros and are making allies fast."

A whole clan devoted to what, pointing out the flaws on (Y/N)'s clan? That's... Horrible....

"Oh heavens. This was caused by the Hofuku clan? Those fiends." Said Elder Aie. Sadness gracing her features. Haishi comforted her but then looked back towards the ninja.
"Do we know where they are?"
"No sir, but we do know a general area of where their base might be. We have some spies stationed there, but if you'd like, we can send in heavier reinforcement.
"Yes, you shou-"
"No. Don't send any in." Everyone froze and looked at Neji.
"You're already on the edge having ninjas out there where the group could be. If the Hofuku clan knows we're into them, they could either launch an attack using that stuff they had, if it could make a posture sick, imagine what it'd do to us. Not to mention they are holding (Y/N) captive. They could hurt her or worse if they know that we know." They all looked back towards Hiashi.
"That's very wise of you Neji... Hold off on the reinforcements. Only seen them in if you know you're there, and limit them to only the stealthiest ninjas." The ninja bowed and left. It was not an awkward silence that blanketed the room, but more of a worried tone. Anxious if they would ever find them, and fearful that some other group had the ability to do so much damage.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Sir, We found them."
My heart stopped for a second.
"They are in the land of grass hiding out in a small section of the forest. It appeared to be like a cave of some sorts, making it so there is an underground section. We've already contacted the Hokage and are currently putting together a group of ninjas to get (Y/N) and to take out the Hofuku clan."
This is real. The found the clan, that means they'll find (Y/N).
"I'm going with." I said, standing up and going to grab my ninja gear.
"Neji, I don't thin-" Elder Aie has cut off Hiashi.
"Let him go. Not only does he need this, but so does (Y/N). After being held captive for almost 2 days wouldn't you want to see a friend's face?" Hiashi sighed, The elder had made a good point, and Neji is an elite ninja, also the best at using the Byakugon.
"Fine. Neji go." I nodded and proceeded to get the rest of my ninja gear.
"I'm ready, let's go." We left and the rest of the group of ninjas met up in the Hokage's office. I saw some familiar faces, Kakashi, Shikamaru, Kiba, Ten-Ten, and Shino. The Hokage entered and everyone bowed.
"Alright, as you all know, you have all been lived to take part in an SRC mission, Search, Recover, and Capture. A visitor from a very important clan had been kidnaped. Her name is (Y/N) and she is from the poached clan, known for their deadly secretions. (Y/N) is especially poisonous so take great caution. We have some members of the Huyga clan here to help with her retrieval. Once (Y/N) is safe, you are to capture everyone from the Hofuku clan any immediate allies they might have. Stealth is the name of the game so you will all have important roles. Kiba, our will use your sense of smell to lead us in the right direction. Hyugas and Shino will be the surveyors. Using the Byakygan and bugs, you will be the eyes of this mission. Ten-Ten you will help lead with the capture using your stealthier Weapons. Shikamaru, we will be in a dark cave at night. Need I say more?" Everyone lightly chuckled, lifting a little of the weight from the air.

"Alright, Now that you all know what rolls you'll be playing, Its time to head out. Good luck and stay safe." Lady Tsunade said with a bow. We all bowed back and made our way down to the town gate. Everyone was surprisingly quiet. I don't know if they were practicing for the mission or they al were just planning what to do in case of every situation. In any case, It was slightly unnerving. Like the calm before the storm.

"Byakugan." I looked around the makeshift camp. Our ninjas had the place circled. There was a hand full of people on the surface but another dozen or so underground.

"They're all roughly grouped in one area underground." The other ninjas nodded. Ten-Ten went in with some other ninjas and were able to subdue them all without making a sound. They were all tied up to a tree and knocked out.

"Alright, Shino, What's Downstairs?"

" . . . . . 13 people standing, crowded around one figure who seems to be giving a speech or just telling a story. A few of the people are guarding one room that has. . . something Humanoid. It's hard to tell. Something slouched in a ball near the wall."

(Y/N). . .

"So how should we approach?"

"Quietly. Get the larger group first then the slouched figure. If it is (Y/N), We don't want to risk not capturing the leader. Remember, Silence is key. If they have a mock of the Poscuro's poison, we don't want to give them the chance to use it." We all understood and proceeded carefully. We entered that cave and everything worked like clockwork, up until the last possible chance.

"You will never Subdue the Hofuku clan, We will show you!" Yelled the leader. Shikamaru was able to trap him in his shadow.

"N-No w-w-worries, Do y-you want to s-se your l-little friends?" He said through gritted teeth, trying to fight back against Shikamaru's trap.

"Where's (Y/N)." I said with a chilling tone.

"T-That's her name? H-ha-ha-h-a. S-she Isn't (Y-Y/N) Anym-more." He said with a grin smeared across his face. Just then a blood-curdling scream rang out through the cave. We all froze.

"What was tha-"

"(Y/N)."

"Go Neji. I got this creep." Shikamaru said, Knocking out the guy. I nodded and ran to the source of the scream. There were two mummified bodies marking the entrance of a makeshift cage.

"(Y/N)!" It was silent for a second before some in-humane raspy breaths and what sounded like almost words.

"(Y/N) are you in here?" I said louder, kicking open the false door.

"N-n-no, go a-away. Leave m-me alo-ne." She said shaking her hand towards me. She was hunched up in a ball and her skin had turned to a sickly yellow-green. I took a step forward and she turned around.

"N-no!" she was covered head to toe in injuries and dirt, not to mention how her eyes were bloodshot and almost a different color completely.

"(Y/N)... Do you know wh-"

"Y-You can't be here! Y-You have to go now b-before I-I..." She took a couple of deep breaths but collapsed.

"(Y/N) It's ok. It's me, Neji, and I'm here to bring you ba-"

"You can't. They d-did something. Sprayed me with- I – N-Neji it's n-not good. I could poison everyone a-and go mad. Y-you have to leave!" The last part her voice growing louder. She was able to talk but just barely. Whatever they did to (Y/N) was obviously getting worse. She Needed help and I didn't know what to do.