Darkness Falls

Chapter 23

Kazahana Castle

"What do you mean, you failed!?" The large man that sat upon a large, ornate and luxurious looking throne exclaimed as he looked down at the two snow shinobi he had dispatched to acquire the lost princess. "And where is Mizore?"

"Mizore is currently in the hospital being treated for a concussion, a fracture skull, three cracked ribs and a cracked sternum from his fight with the Konoha shinobi." Nadare reported from his kneeling position, though clearly shocked at how much damage his large teammate had suffered from the blonde genin.

"And who is this Konoha team that has given my elite so much trouble?" Doto asked, though in a tone that made it evident he was not amused.

"A team of three genins, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura, and Naruto, lead by Kakashi Hatake, the copy cat ninja." The lilac haired snow shinobi responded, not knowing the other two genin's names as only the arrogant Uchiha proudly stated his clans name.

"I see, a Uchiha and the infamous Copy-Cat of Konoha." Doto commented. "No wonder Mizore is in the condition he is in then."

"Actually sir, it was the blonde one, Naruto that put Mizore in such a condition." Fubuki added from her kneeling position.

"A mere genin put one of my Elite in the hospital?"

"He utilized a brutal taijutsu we have never seen before." Nadare explained as he produced the dented chakra armor that Mizore had been wearing, much to the shock of the large middle aged man that sat upon the throne, whom took in the damage done to the piece of armor.

As he looked at the battered armor, Doto was deep in thought. This armor was designed to absorb unnatural punishment, both physical and jutsu alike, and yet a mere genin with an unknown taijutsu style had obliterated it. He would need to have his development team focus on designing a stronger armor that can better withstand such an onslaught, though mostly for himself. The others can get their upgraded models later, if they survive their encounters. After all, they were expendable tools.

"What are your orders, Doto-sama?" Fubuki inquired.

"For now, you will do nothing." The man stated as he rose from his seat, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "Right now, they will have no choice but to take the south pass through the mountains. It is there, we will set an ambush in three days. That is when you will strike, kill everyone and bring the princess to me."

"Understood, Doto-sama." Both snow shinobi replied in unison before departing the throne room, leaving the larger man to his thoughts.

'Soon, my dear niece.' Doto mentally snickered. 'You will give me the final key to the weapon that your father built, and with it I will keep the entire country locked in an iron grip.'

Meanwhile as the pink haired snow shinobi walked along side her teammate in silence. While her face wore her trademark, cocky grin, on the inside she was worried. Worried for her best friend and those with her, as she had no way to get word out of the planned ambush without arising suspicion. She could only hope and pray the Konoha shinobi as a whole would be able to keep everyone safe.

'Please be safe, Koyuki-hime.' She silently prayed.

With Team 7

"My team and I have discussed the issue, and we have agreed to continue on with the mission." Kakashi informed those in front of him with is trademark eye smile, whilst the lone Uchiha smirked arrogantly from behind the masked jonin.

Asama, Koyuki, Naruto, and Sakura all silently and subtly exchanged looks between one another. Knowing for a fact there was no discussion between the entire team. Simply because through out the night, and into the morning hours, Naruto had sat up with the princess. Pouring over the script and discussing what changes could be made to enhance the story further. Sakura along side them, also adding her own tidbits as needed, or conversing with Koyuki when the blonde was editing the script.