🌸The Journey🌸

Day 7

Sasuke inhaled sharply once he was finally released from the Genjutsu.

"Sasuke?"

He panted hard as he wiped the cold sweat from his face onto his shoulder.

"Sasuke," Ino called to him, "are you okay? What happened?"

He only shook his head, "we... We need to get out of here..."

Shikamaru shut his eyes, "what did you see?"

"It was... Sakura. She and the baby were dead." He peered at the ground, "that Genjutsu was so... So powerful, I couldn't even break it."

"A Genjutsu not even an Uchiha can break?" Choji sighed, "that's insane."

"Yeah, well." Sasuke took a deep breath, "even more reason I have to get after him. Sakura can't be dead."

"You're right." Shikamaru looked at him, "got any game plans? I might have a suggestion."

"Sure."

"I know we've all been drained of our chakra supplies, but once you're all replenished, I think your Amaterasu will do the trick. We can go from there."

Sasuke smirked and nodded, "alright, then."

It was their mistake for forgetting to cover my eyes. He shut his eyes and activated his Sharingan and Rinnegan, "Amaterasu!"

The black flames scorched the ropes that held the four ninja's wrists.

"Finally..." Ino rubbed her wrists and looked at Shikamaru, "alright. What next?"

"Now..." Shikamaru turned to Sasuke, "there's an ANBU just near the entrance. If we can get past him, we can figure out where Sakura is if we trace her chakra signature. Can you feel it at all?"

Sasuke shut his eyes, "it's weak, but it's there."

"Good." Shikamaru turned near the entrance of the cave, "Sasuke, I need your Fireball Jutsu for this."

Sasuke formed a single hand-sign and formed a small flame behind Shikamaru, giving him a shadow to work with.

"Shadow Possession Jutsu." Shikamaru knelt on one knee and formed a hand-sign, sending his shadow down the cave until it reached the ANBU guarding their entrance. Shikamaru covered his mouth with his hand to keep the guard from yelling or making any sounds, "Sasuke, take Choji and Ino and start taking care of the guys out there. Try to keep it low-profile, though."

Sasuke nodded as he, Choji, and Ino quickly left the cave, passing by the guard without a sound. They slipped behind the trees and bushes to keep from being seen.

"Did you see how big she was?" One of the ANBU called over to his partners, "she was pretty close, huh? Maybe another week?"

"I hope the baby comes soon. I'm getting tired of hanging around here. You think the boss will let us go into town later today?"

"Maybe. He goes into town himself to get Dango. Maybe if we offer to bring him back some, he'll let us."

"Or he could blow your head off with a single look."

"Or that." The man groaned, "come on... Who would've thought he would've made us do this... Takashi?" He looked around in confusion, suddenly realizing he was all alone, "hey, uh, don't make me call the--"

Before he could finish his sentence, Sasuke shoved him down and held his neck against the dirt, "now tell me who you're working for and I might just let you walk out of here alive."

He coughed slightly and moved to look up at him, "trust me... You don't want to know."

Sasuke smirked, "the lives of my wife and child are at stake, here. I'm willing to put up with anything."