Aftermath (Kakashi Hatake)

Part 11: Old Friends (or Foes)

"So, the mission is an S-rank: search and rescue. Four teens have gone missing from a small village on the border. All were the same age, height and all female. We do not have any official leads but we do have a suspect." I briefed the squad as we prepared for our third and final day of travel. "Any ideas on who that would be?" Kakashi asked our squad, testing our squad mates. One of them piped up instantly. "Orochimaru." Tenzo said and I nodded. Our other three squad mates took note of this. Tenzo is officially the youngest person on the squad but not much younger than Kakashi and I. To gain respect in the ANBU you earn it. Despite our young age, our other squad mates, all in their late 20's early 30's not only respected us but also learned from us as superiors. "Yes. Given this information the most important part of this mission is stealth." I responded. "We do not know our enemy so we cannot allow them the upper hand by letting them know us first." Kakashi finished the briefing and they all nodded. "Hai."

When we approached the village our plan went into action. Tenzo, being younger blended in more with the crowd and observed for an entire day before reporting back to the rest of us who had been observing the surrounding forest and the exits of the village. "It seems that three of the children are related. Also, not only were they all the same girls the same age but they also all had one similar feature. Emerald green eyes." Tenzo added looking at me pointedly. I also noticed the other members of the squad, including Kakashi all looking at me and taking note of my eyes. "How old were the victims?" I asked. "17." I sighed. 'Damn' I thought. "Okay, so the obvious move is me going in as bait." I huffed. The others nodded and we retreated back further to rest for the night. Fay and Bird, as he liked to go by, took first watch. Kakashi and I slept right beside other while Tenzo and Shota slept on a little stretch away on either side of us. Kakishi and I took last watch so I could work on my appearance for the mission. I used a transformation jutsu to change my hair to a dull blonde and made my facial features just slightly more rounded seeing as I have always looked a little old for my age. "How do I look?" I asked Kakashi and he looked me over. "Different. Good job." He complimented and then we woke up the rest of the sqaud. I changed into a simple grey summer dress, white birds decorating it and some brown sandals. My scars both on my face and any on my arms were covered with another transformation jutsu before I made my enterance to the village.

It took two weeks for anything suspicious to happen. I couldn't take the risk of alerting the enemy of my identity by sneaking out to report to my team so I was on my own. I built a character of a tourist who waiting on some friends who were supposed to meet me before we crossed the border together. I made myself out to be quite the opposite of my normal self. I was overly talkative, extremely outgoing, and overall very bubbly. I soon became well liked in the village and spent a lot of nights in town, perfect if you wanna be noticed by a kidnapper. Today I first saw the first sign of being watched while I was eating breakfast on a bench in the park. I continued to be following tonight as I went out to dinner on the invitation of some random guy, Todashi, who asked me a couple days ago. Before I made it all the way to the restraunt I made an excuse to turn down a more secluded road. "Is this the way to the restraunt? I think this is what he said?" I thought out loud, playing the part of a confused, possibly even air headed tourist. "Can I help you find something?" I turned around to see that my plan had worked. My follower had stepped out of the shadows to reveal himself. I noted the Kiri headband that had a slash through it marking him as a rogue ninja. "Oh..uh Hi, yes thank you so much for stopping! Could you tell me where I could find this restraunt..um I think its called sun-something?" I chirped in a bubbly voice, playing the confused part well. "The Sunset Cafe?" He asked and I let out an overly relieved sigh. "That it? Could you give me directions?" I asked and he smiled a dangerous grin, stepping out into my view. "Here, I'll walk you there. Wouldn't want anything happening to you."

I scrutinized every last detail about my enemy as we walked. He had short hair of a shocking white color. His skin was lightly tanned and tattoos were visible on his arms and neck. I recognized him soon. Hiroto of the Dragons Fang. An A-Rank recognized for his large dragon tattoo and his sword he so affectionately calls Fang. There were no visible weapons on him but I noticed instantly he was leading me out of the village. I kept up the ruse that I had no idea what was happening until we were out of the village. "Hey....I think we're going the wrong way." I pointed out innocently. The ninja laughed. "Just now catching on, sweetheart?" He asked and I put a fake nervous look. "What's going on?" I asked, letting my lip tremble and eyes tear up. I am very good at this. "Has anyone ever told you how unique your eye color is?" He asked and I froze, now really getting bad vibes as he placed a hand on my cheek tilted my chin up to meet his eyes. 'Shit he's going to knock me out' I thought. This was a factor I had already planned for. By this time Kakashi and the others should be nearby watching the show. Instead of fighting back, I allowed the enemy to hit a pressure point that normal citizens would never notice but I was aware up until I lost conciousness.

When I woke up I found myself shackled in a room, maybe a shed or barn? I judged by my surroudings. I noticed the other four girls that had been kidnapped in various states also shackled in the room. One of them was clearly dead, her head twisted at an unnatural angle green eyes vacant staring ahead of her. The one next to her on the wall across from me was also limp. She was shackled to the rafter above her and was hanging from her wrists. I thought she might be alive until I noticed the glint of blood in a puddle below her, reflecting the moonlight through the boards on the walls. The other two were in the same position as the first, neck snapped, laying in piles righ beside each other in the corner. "I see you are awake." A new voice asked opening the large doors to wherever I am. Definitely a barn, I thought looking around as the moonlight streamed in. The man held up a lanter as he walked closer. I noticed instantly that he was a civilian. He must have paid for the ninja to do his dirty work. When I further took in his appearance I felt like I had seen him somewhere. "Those eyes. Hmm yes, it is you." He said and waved his hand. The ninja from before stepped out with a smile. "Help me get her to the basement and then you are free to go. Paid in full." The man ordered and the ninja complied. I struggled with the chains as he pulled me out the door and into a house some 20 yards away.

I fought the whole time but something was wrong, I was feeling weaker. Looking closer I found that the chains holding me had seals all over them. 'Chakra chains' I thought bitterly. As we got closer to the house I gave up and allowed him to lead me through the front door, down a hall then into a stairwell. I observed every inch of the seemingly abandoned estate. Soon I was brought into a well lit cinder block room with an old wooden table in the center. I was instantly led to the table and forced to lay down as I was chained to the legs by my wrist and even my ankles as the old civilian pulled out a chest with more. He handed an envelope to the ninja after I was secure and soon he was gone leaving me and the old man together. "I'm sure you don't remember me but I remember you my dear." The old man said as he walked out of my field of vision. "Release that pesky jutsu if you would. I would like to see the real you." I didn't question the man, deciding to play along instead. Sometimes compliance is the easiest way to find out someone's plans. "Much better, though your outfit has changed over the years." He said and I almost desperately searched through my memories for this man.

"A long time ago, well before the war I asked your master to sell you to me. He said you weren't for sale. I offered again and again and he refused. Saying you were not for sale. But I coudn't get you out of my head. You were a small thing back then but there was something about you that drew me in, and your eyes, oh your beautiful eyes reminded me of my late daughter." He said and I felt a chill go down my spine. I remember a period of time shortly after joining Hitoshi-sensei where we moved from village to village almost every night, sometimes at odd hours. It took me years to realize we were trying to lose someone who was following us. I always wondered what Hitoshi-sensei was so worried about. Now I know. "I've been searching for you for years. I recently heard that you had become the Konoha ninja known as Blue Bolt." He said and approached me again, this time holding a syringe. "How did you find out?" I asked, trying not to show fear as I eyed the needle. "A man. He appeared to me about a year ago. He told me your name and that if I followed his plan you would arrive. I followed it as much as I could. Kidnapping those girls and killing them just like he said and just like he promised you returned to me." He said stroking my face while I felt unease set in my belly. 'Where is my squad?' I thought 'They should've been here as soon as they aprehended the rouge ninja' . "Don't worry about your team. I have sent them on quite the goose chase with help from the unknown man." He said and I suddenly felt my stomach twist into knots. 'No' I thought, trying my best to get out only to feel the needle prick my arm