Clash 2: The Wolf and the Desertstorm - a collab with Amaterasu

Chapter 14

Orochimaru smirked when he stepped out of Manda's mouth. Using this way of transport was so much quicker. He had arrived not far from the hide-out, choosing to walk the last few miles there to see if his men were still on alert with him not present. He patted the snake on the head. "Thank you, Manda. You can return now. Keep an eye on Sasuke and let me know if he's up to anything."

Manda gave a nod and vanished.

Orochimaru chuckled and made his way towards the wolf den. "Now, let's find out what my dear Ookami leader had been up to. I hope he and Kabuto didn't finish each other off. I still have use for them." An amused glint flickered in his eyes. "And of course, I can't wait to try my new vessel." He licked his lips and grinned. It was good to be back.

***

Ichiya had continued to remain calm. Frustrated, given the situation, but calm. It would make things hopefully easier and they would be more willing to listen if he didn't give them any reason to otherwise. He uncomfortably shifted. The sound of chains echoed loudly. He grunted after accidentally pulling what little slack there had been. Arms, legs and neck had been chained quite tightly, but he hadn't been surprised.
'Isn't like this is undeserved.' He thought to himself in a melancholic manner.
All he could do was wait, and hope they didn't kill him before he could give Suna—the Kazekage—warning of the trouble his sister was in. At least that kid was now safe in his own country and village. He was probably relishing in everything he had been deprived of—a good meal, a home, and bed. Yeah, at least the kid would be ok.

...

"... and he's innocent."

"...found them near the border. Kumiko is nowhere in sight..."

"... brought me back home. Why would he do that if he was a criminal?"

"... remember when they allied with us under Orochimaru's command..."

"... has a message for you..."

"He can't be trusted."

"Kumiko told me to bring him to Suna."

"She did say that. And she send me with Ichiya and the boy to keep them safe."

"... have him in lock up. What do you want to do with him, Kazekage-sama?"

Gaara sighed and rubbed his temples. The three people, well two people and one kitsune, in his office had been talking since they arrived here an hour ago and he hadn't been able to make much sense of what they were saying. All they had succeeded to accomplish was give him a massive headache. He hadn't been able to get in one word.

"Enough!" he yelled.

When the room fell silent, he sighed again. He turned to the boy, Daisuke. "You," he said, "where is Kumiko?"

Daisuke took a deep breath. Now that he was directly confronted with the Kazekage, he suddenly became nervous. It was true that the man was young, but he gave off an air of authority. And he had thought his father was bad.

"Well?"

Daisuke swallowed. "She continued with her mission," he answered, "she said she had to find her teammates and save everyone and I told her to come home, but she said it was more important, so she told me to bring Ichiya here and she send her pet with us to show us the way in case we got lost and.."

Gaara held up his hand to stop his stream of words. He turned to Hideki. Surely the summon could provide more important information.

Hideki answered the Kazekage's look with a serious one of his own. "The man, Ichiya stumbled upon us during the night. He was badly injured. He came with a message from Taryn-sama. A message for you."