Edited 29/08/2021

Third Person's POV

Kakashi looks over the group of Minami and Leaf Ninja with a critical eye, one hand slowly rubbing at his chin. The small crowd all gaze back at him eagerly, awaiting his deduction in silence.

Kurenai and Asuma exchange a quizzical expression with each other, before turning back to the other Jonin. The two had been surprised that Kakashi had agreed to take on Sirius, considering his earlier firmness in not wanting to fight with the client. Even they didn't know how to approach such a situation.

"Alright" Kakashi finally speaks up, hands now in his pockets. "Here's how things are going to go."

Ashley's brows furrow as she grins up at her Sensei. While she was thankful that he had agreed to help her Clan get rid of Sirius, she was very keen to hear his plan and quickly make it happen. At least when Sirius was gone, she would be able to go back home knowing that the remaining members of her Clan would be happy and safe here.

"There's no way we're going to be able to move across this island as one large group" Kakashi announces. "We'll have to split up into smaller groups and we'll need both a sensory type Ninja in each group, as well as a Minami in each group. We don't know the lay of the land as well as they do, so each Minami will be able to direct the group they're in."

"And how are we meant to keep up with you Leaf Ninja?" Atsui asks smartly, arms folded across his chest. "You all use your chakra to run faster than us."

"Your Wolves can keep up, can't they?" Asuma asks rhetorically, already knowing that the speedy animals can. "Just ride them."

"Tamashi carries me everywhere" Kurai giggles, reaching out and petting the shaggy Wolf's shoulder. "And Jet's big enough to carry Shimei with no problem."

"I'm like, totally happy to carry Kiyu-chan" Keilor agrees, tail wagging. "She's like, as light as a feather! I can barely even like, notice that she's riding on my back."

Kiyumi gives her Wolf a closed eye smile as Saffire and Fang grin at each other, before nodding.

"No problem!" Tsumetai squeaks, holding his tiny hand up in a peace sign. "Tai-chan can carry Atsui-chan easy peasy!"

All of the Leaf Ninja tilt their heads down to look at the chibi and sweat drop, not believing for one second that he can carry Atsui. The top of Tsumetai's head didn't even reach the boy's knees.

Atsui deadpans, quickly growing more and more annoyed by the dubious looks on the Leaf Ninja's faces.

"He can shapeshift you idiots!" the green haired boy barks, defending his tiny Guardian. "He's a Wolf too ya know!"

"Oh..." Choji murmurs, before leaning closer to Shikamaru and whispering. "I thought he was somehow going to sit on the little guy's shoulders...."

Shikamaru snickers at the thought, before straightening up and listening again as Kakashi continues to speak.

"Our Minami friends may not have the use of chakra" the Jonin explains, "But their Kekkei Genkai is not to be underestimated. They have abilities that we don't and those abilities could save your life."

"You can just say we're superior" Saffire brags, baring her sharp teeth in a proud smirk. "We all know it's true, so-"

"No one is superior" Kakashi interjects, correcting the tall girl. "We all have different abilities, as well as strengths and weaknesses. No one here is better than anyone else."

"Right on" Keilor says approvingly, tongue dangling from the side of his mouth.

Saffire turns her head and juts her lower jaw out slightly, looking somewhat embarrassed.

"I've already figured out the teams, so everyone needs to listen up" Kakashi orders, looking over the group. "Team one will be Kurenai, Kiba and Akamaru, Kurai and Tamashi, Atsui and Tsumetai."

"Aw man" Kiba sighs, having hoped that he'd have at least either Shino or Hinata on his team. Though he would be with his Sensei and Kurai wasn't too bad, it was really just Atsui that Kiba wasn't too keen on.

Dude always seemed to have an issue with everything.

"Which one of you is a sensory Ninja?" Atsui asks, to which Kiba points his thumb at himself.

"Me" the Inuzuka states. "My sense of smell is better than any Ninja Hound."

"How is that being a sensory Ninja?" Atsui scoffs, rolling his eyes. "Any one of our Wolves is a sensory Ninja in that case."

Kiba narrows his eyes at this mocking statement, hands curling into fists down at his sides. This moron dared to make fun of his Clan's ability like that?!

"Why are you so argumentative all the time?" Ashley sighs, interjecting before Kiba can argue with Atsui. "Kiba's got the best sense of smell out of everyone in this room. Just shut up for once."

Kiba blinks at this praise from Ashley and turns to look at her, while Atsui's face turns red.

"What are you telling me to shut up for?" he snaps, trying to save face. "All you've done since arriving here is talk!"

"At least what I have to say is worth listening to!" Ashley barks right back, immediately feeling annoyed with Atsui.

"A-Alright, alright Ashley-chan, Atsui-kun" Kiyumi says gently, stepping forwards to calm her sister and her friend down. "W-We're on the same team, we don't need to argue amongst ourselves...."

Atsui and Ashley break out of their intense glare and turn to look at Kiyumi, before the two both huff and spin around to face away from each other.

Neither of them had it in them to stay mad at the girl, especially not when she soothed them in such a soft voice and with that cute, uncertain smile on her face.

"I can help with the sensory stuff too" Kurai adds with smile, hands behind her back. "With my Katsuryoku, I can sense movement through air currents."

"That's very helpful" Kurenai says appreciatively, despite feeling somewhat doubtful about how her team would get along. "Thank you."

"If we're done with the interruptions...." Kakashi trails off, already sounding weary. "The next team will consist of Asuma, Hinata, Shikamaru, Choji, the Chief and Arelle."

Hinata blinks at this, not sure how to feel about being separated from her teammates. It wasn't often that the three of them weren't together on missions.

"Alright!" Choji cheers, slapping a less than enthusiastic Shikamaru on the back. "We got the best sensory Ninja of the group!"

Hinata blushes at this compliment, though she can't help smiling to herself as Choji jabs his free hand in her direction, still slapping Shikamaru on the back.

It felt nice to know that Choji had faith in her.

"I will also be able to assist in the sensory duties" Chief Dashi offers kindly. "Though I do look forward to witnessing your abilities for myself. The powers of Ninja never cease to amaze me."

"The next team will be myself, Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Kiyumi and Keilor" Kakashi states, a sentence that immediately causes Sakura to panic.

"But Kakashi Sensei!" the girl protests. "Who is gonna be our sensory Ninja?! We need Ashley to-"

"Kiyu's sensory abilities will be way better than mine" Ashley informs her friend with a dismissive wave. "She can sense things through the ground, like me, but her skills are way more refined coz she's only trained in the element of Earth."

"....I-If everyone stands still enough" Kiyumi confirms, though she sounds nervous, "I can even sense tiny little insects walking across the ground."

Everyone stares at Kiyumi, not sure whether to be impressed or confused by such a specific example.

"...That is very impressive" Shino compliments, nodding his head in approval.

"Plus" Kakashi adds, "Kiyumi and Keilor know the island well. Kiyumi will be our sensory Ninja and our guide."

"Why can't we just have Ashley-chan?" Naruto pouts. "She can sense stuff and she's a Minami too."

"We've already acknowledged that Ashley's sensory abilities pale in comparison to Kiyumi's" Atsui can't help stating smartly, "And she hasn't been here for years. She can't guide you through the forests."

Ashley deadpans at this statement, her shoulders drooping. While what Atsui had said was technically true, he didn't have to say it in a way that made Ashley seem like she was useless!

"Last but not least" Kakashi says loudly, hoping to finish listing the teams before another argument can break out. "Shino, Ashley, Ino, Shimei and Jet."

"And us!" Tiez pipes up, jumping to her feet and looking to Aki. "Right Aki? We're gonna help too!"

The black and white Wolf's ears droop slightly, as he looks from Tiez to Ashley and then back. He heaves a deep sigh and closes his eyes.

"I can't really argue when you look at me with those eyes Tiez darling" the Wolf concedes, much to Tiez's delight.

"Good to have you" Ashley grins, as Ino looks between her chosen team members and begins to panic a little.

"Uhhh.......um, Kakashi Sensei?" the blonde asks, raising her hand. "Are you sure that you wanna send us out without a Jonin on our team? That just seems a little...."

"You'll be fine Ino" Asuma says encouragingly. "You've got two sensory types on your team. Between Shino, Ashley and the noses of those three Wolves, no one will be able to get close to you guys."

"That's right" Shino agrees, as Ashley looks to him and nods, a determined expression on her face.

"Besides" Kurai chirps, bouncing forwards to hug Shimei's arm. "Aside from the Chief, Shimei is the strongest out of all of us. He'll be able to protect you all with no problem!"

Shimei looks down at his short girlfriend, only for the two of them to close their eyes and smile at each other. Tiny hearts float between the two Minami, something that causes a deadpanning Atsui to gag.

"Anyone that comes near me is getting paralysed" Tiez announces bluntly, only to roll her eyes when Ino steps back from her. "I meant the bad guys stupid!"

"Alright, so what's the plan Kakashi?" Kurenai inquires. "You're splitting us into smaller teams, so obviously you want us to travel separately."

"I do" Kakashi confirms. "We're going to surround the Tower by approaching it from all sides. Plus this way, moving around without being detected will be much easier and we can do a little reconnaissance while we're at it."

"Team Kakashi will approach from the farthest side, the south. Team Kurenai will approach from the East. Team Asuma, the West and Team Shimei, the North. Once you reach your position, do not approach the Tower until you receive a signal from me."

"What will the signal be?" Asuma asks, one brow raised.

"I'll send a clone to meet up with each of your teams" Kakashi explains. "Once we've all arrived, we can enter the Tower at the same time. Any questions?"

"Yeah" Shikamaru speaks up, in a somewhat dry tone. "Who's gonna kill Sirius? Because they've actually gotta do it this time, or we'll just be in the same situation as last time."

"I'll do it" Shimei answers immediately, a calm expression on his face, though the anger in his eyes is clear to everyone.

"Shimei....." Kurai says softly, concerned.

The red haired boy reaches down and places a comforting hand on Kurai's head, while turning to look at the Chief. His mouth set in a firm line, Chief Dashi nods his head in agreement.

If anyone could do it, it was Shimei.

"Are you sure?" Kakashi asks, not wanting the Minami to have any doubts. If that was the case, Kakashi wouldn't let him take on the heavy task.

".....He needs to pay" Shimei answers shortly, his voice low.

"Please be careful Ashley" Sakura urges, fiddling with the hem of her dress in a bid to avoid fussing over her friend. "I feel kind of anxious knowing that we're on separate teams..."

"You be careful too" Ashley responds seriously, before suddenly smirking. "I don't wanna have to heal any injuries on Team Kakashi, okay?"

"Just worry about yourself" Sasuke scoffs, smirking back at his cousin, "And try not to get left behind."

Kiba watches as Ashley rolls her eyes and continues speaking with her teammates in an animated way, as he tightens the holster on his leg and pats his weapons pouch to ensure it is full.

To say he had been concerned about Ashley after hearing everything that had happened to her was an understatement. He had wanted to comfort her, but after getting too caught up in the moment and almost confessing his feelings to Ashley the other day, Kiba felt strangely nervous to approach her.

It seemed as though she had bounced back quite well already though, and despite knowing how Ashley liked to keep her true feelings hidden, Kiba felt as though she was genuinely okay now.

No doubt Ashley's demeanour right now was due to the acceptance of her friends. She had clearly been worried about how they would react for a long time.

How she'd even managed to become the person she was now, after enduring everything she had, Kiba would never know.

Kurai, standing with Shimei and Tamashi, giggles at something her Wolf says, only to turn her head slightly. She hoods her eyes, her gaze drifting over to Kiba. She watches as the younger boy kneels down, ensuring the straps of his shoes are tight enough and petting Akamaru's head gently. As he continues to get ready to leave for the mission, Kiba's eyes drift over to Ashley every now and then, before he blinks a few times and turns back to whatever he is doing.

Kurai feels her mouth turning down a little, an unusual expression for the girl. She had noticed early on, that Kiba's eyes always seemed to linger on Ashley, and the two always seemed to somehow end up being with or near each other.

Kurai continues to watch as Ashley glances back briefly over her shoulder. The pink haired girl sees the way Ashley's brows crease in thought as she turns back around, pausing for a few seconds, before dismissing herself from her teammates and walking over to Kiba.

This wasn't good. Kurai was going to have to do something about it.

Kiba glances up, only to see Ashley standing over him, her hands on her hips and somewhat reserved expression on her face.

"Hey Mutt" the girl says simply, looking up as Kiba quickly rises to his feet.

"Hey" the Inuzuka answers, surprised Ashley had approached him. "Uhh..."

Ashley and Kiba both avert their gazes, sweat dropping as they stand before each other awkwardly. Akamaru tilts his head in confusion.

These two were normally at each other's throats, so it was strange for the pup to see them behave this way.

"I uh, I just came over to say good luck on the mission" Ashley eventually offers, her tone cool, despite the obvious self-consciousness. "....And t-to stay safe....That goes for you too Akamaru."

"Arf!" the puppy thanks Ashley, his tail wagging.

Kiba blinks at this, before he lets out a tiny laugh of relief and smiles at Ashley, something that causes her to glance back up at him.

"We will Angel" Kiba assures her. "You be safe too......And take care of Shino for us. He's crazy sometimes."

Ashley giggles at this, the thought of quiet, well behaved Shino acting crazy seeming ridiculous.

Before either Leaf Ninja can say anything else, Kurai bounds over with a cheeky grin on her face and wraps her arms around one of Kiba's.

"Come on Lover Boy" the older girl teases, Kiba sweat dropping and trying to lean away from her, "It's time for our team to get going!"

"W-What'd you just call me?" a bewildered Kiba asks, his face turning red as Kurai begins to drag him away. "Hey, wait-"

Ashley turns around, a question mark floating above her head, as she watches Kurai pull an unenthusiastic Kiba away. Had she imagined that wink from Kurai?

'What was that about?' Ashley wonders internally, her eyes narrowing slightly, 'And why did it kind of annoy me?'

"Hey....hey!" Kiba barks, finally wrenching himself free of Kurai when they get a good distance away. "What'd you do that for?!"

Kurai's cute expression drops into a warning look, something that makes Kiba pause for a second.

"You're in the way" the girl informs him mysteriously. "I suggest you get out of the way."

".....What does that even mean?" Kiba sighs, running a hand through his hair. "In the way of what?"

Kurai's eyes flick over to Ashley, who has made her way over to her team by now, before they glare back up at Kiba's confused face.

"Please don't make me have to do anything less subtle" the Minami requests, her words only puzzling Kiba even more. "This isn't for me."

Shino and Ino leap through the trees side by side, with Ashley running along the ground below them and Shimei riding on Jet's back, just ahead. Tiez and Aki bound along behind Ashley, the two Wolves keeping alert for any strange scents that may suddenly appear.

Small Beetles flit in and out of Shino's sleeves as he runs, relaying information of the surrounding area back to him. He had sent them out in every direction, making it nigh impossible for anyone to sneak up on his team.

Ino watches the Beetles flying back and forth, her face slightly green. While it was admittedly cool that Shino had this ability, Ino also found it super gross that he had those tiny bugs crawling up his arms.

She shivers at the mere thought of it.

Ashley focuses on her Katsuryoku as much as she can, not wanting to miss even the slightest movement in the distance.

"What's Kakashi Sensei's deal anyway?" Ino complains from up above, loud enough for the others to hear. "Why's he sending us right to the Tower's front door? Wouldn't it be smarter to have a team of, I don't know, fighters go to the front door? It's gonna be the most heavily guarded point!"

"We're Ninja" Shino points out. "We're all fighters."

"Yeah I know" Ino sighs, "But I mean, there are tougher fighters than us in the group, right?"

"Speak for yourself" Ashley laughs brazenly. "I'm plenty tough enough."

"Yeah!" Tiez barks, grinning evilly. "Once we get to the door, you can all just sit back and relax. I'll kill em all by myself!"

".....Don't allow that young one's confidence to be influenced by Milady's" Jet warns, glancing back at Aki with a deadpan look. "I have never known anyone to get themself into more trouble with their over confidence than her."

"That is so not..." Ashley trails off, rethinking her argument for a few seconds. "Well.....that's not always true!"

Jet smiles in faint amusement to himself, Shimei watching the Wolf's expression closely.

"You won't be fighting anyone if I can help it Tiez darling" Aki warns, to which the younger Wolf pokes her tongue out.

"I'm gonna kill more guys than you Aki" she boasts, to which the black and white Wolf scoffs.

"I hardly think so" he smirks, sapphire eyes glittering.

"We must be quiet now" Shimei instructs in a soft tone, though the firmness is clear. "We are entering the Village...."

The members of Team Shimei all pause at the tree line of the forest, the darkness of the night helping to shield their presence. Few people are out and about at this hour, with only a small number of streetlamps and dim lights from behind covered windows casting any light.

Ashley turns her head, sensing some movement in the distance.

"What is it Ashley?" Shino asks in a whisper, having seen the girl's face scrunch up slightly as she concentrates.

".......Team Kurenai are on our left" Ashley eventually responds. "They've all just run into the Village."

"We need to head to our post as well" Ino says, fidgeting nervously.

"You only need to focus on our team" Shimei advises Ashley, though his tone is kind. "Please ensure that we do not run into any soldiers.....And please follow me closely team. I will protect you all."

That being said, Jet takes off in a run, leaving the Leaf Genin behind, with Ino blinking rapidly.

"Is it just me" she asks slowly, "Or is he kind of dreamy?"

Ashley rolls her eyes at this and takes off after Shimei and Jet, the others following suit.

"I'm just saying!" Ino whispers loudly from behind Ashley.

Everyone follows with ease, as Jet leaps up onto the nearest building and begins to carefully stalk across the roof, not wanting his large weight to cause too much noise.

Shino, Ashley and Ino all crouch down low at the sound of some nearby voices, as Jet steps back from the edge of the building and lies down.

Ashley and Shino peak over the edge, their eyes scanning the area, when two soldiers walk into sight. They trudge down the dirt road, one of the men sighing heavily.

With her feet not on the ground, Ashley couldn't tell how many soldiers were around. She'd have to actually be touching the earth to be able to sense any vibrations.

"-and then Lord Sirius made him cut his own throat right in front of us" one man complains, running a hand down his face. "That's the eighth man I've seen Lord Sirius do something like that to this week...."

"Keep it down" the second man hushes urgently. "You don't know who might hear you and tell Lord Sirius."

"I know, I know" the first man sighs again, a weary look in his eyes. "I just don't know how much more of this I can take. I'm worried for my family."

"Yeah, my wife makes sure that she tells me she loves me every morning" the second man laughs humourlessly, "Just in case I get killed by the Lord for some reason."

"Ishimaru got killed this week for coughing while Lord Sirius was talking" the first man suddenly recalls, the men's voices starting to fade as they walk past Team Shimei and turn down another street.

Ashley feels her hands balling into fists and her nose wrinkling with distaste for Sirius. She turns back to Shimei, whose face is holding a similar expression.

"You're lucky that you get to be the one to kill him" Ashley growls.

"I will incinerate him" Shimei promises lowly, his fuchsia eyes shining with anger.

"You know, those guys don't exactly sound like they're following him out of loyalty" Ino points out, brows furrowed.

"Perhaps they are being ruled with fear" Shino suggests, to which Ino nods in agreement.

"Yeah...." Ino crosses her arms over her chest, looking conflicted. "I kinda feel bad if we're gonna be killing them, when they're only following Sirius to protect their families or something."

Ashley scowls down at her feet, thinking back to when she had been attacked by some soldiers, along with Kiba and Saffire.

"I don't know" Ashley huffs. "Some of them sure seem like they're doing it because they want to."

"Humans make no sense" Tiez says flatly. "I've heard some of those guys saying that they've had family members killed as punishment and stuff before, and that they hate him, but they still follow him. It's so weird. I'd just leave."

"This is an island" Ino reminds Tiez, sounding sad as she shrugs. "How are they meant to leave with no one noticing?"

"...He kills his own men and blames us" Shimei mutters, shaking his head.

"No wonder they hate you guys" Tiez says bluntly.

Shimei glances up and stares at the pup for a few seconds, before motioning for Jet to rise to his feet.

"We need to continue" the red haired boy states, about to have Jet jump to the next building, when Ashley clears her throat.

"Uh, my Katsuryoku isn't super useful up here" the blonde announces begrudgingly, not liking to admit her weaknesses out loud. "I kind of need to be on the ground to sense things."

"Stay with the group Milady" Jet immediately orders. "It's too dangerous down there with those soldiers."

Ashley blinks a few times, as Jet sweat drops and turns his head away, trying to pretend that he had never said anything.

Shimei looks between Jet and Ashley a few times, before smiling sadly to himself.

"You'll stay up here with the group" the red head decides. "It is safer up here and I don't want you to be in any more danger than necessary."

Ashley nods her head appreciatively at this, following as Jet leaps across the gap between this house and the next one.

For the next thirty minutes Team Shimei bound across buildings, travelling silently through the night, and hiding from patrols, wanting to avoid any unnecessary conflict.

Jet and Shimei pause at the edge of the house they are currently standing on, the next building a further distance away than all of the previous ones.

"We'll have to go down to the ground first" Shimei quickly decides, to which Jet immediately drops down from the building.

After a brief hesitation to check his surroundings, Jet runs across the dirt road and leaps back up onto the next building. As he and Shimei watch and wait for the others, Shino and Ashley land on the ground.

While Shino sprints across the ground without a pause, Ashley remains in a crouched position. Her brows furrow, the girl turning her head to look at a nearby building on her right.

"Hide!" Ashley suddenly hisses, climbing to her feet and breaking into a run, just as Tiez, Ino and Aki land in the street.

Ashley manages to jump up onto the same house as Shino, Jet and Shimei, just as the door to the building she had been looking at begins to open.

Tiez, Aki and Ino immediately begin to panic, when the blonde girl spins around wildly, looking for a hiding place. Tiez dives behind a dumpster close by, with Aki quickly snapping up the back of Ino's skirt and dragging her behind the dumpster as well.

A small group of men stumble out of the building, clearly having been drinking, as they laugh and talk loudly amongst themselves. While they seem to be at differing levels of inebriation, it is clear to see that all of these men are Sirius' soldiers due to the uniform they are all wearing.

Ino's heart thuds against her chest as she is pulled down into a sitting position behind the dumpster, only for her back to fall against the metal with a clang.

She holds her breath as the men in the street fall silent, all turning to look in the direction of the sound.

"Good going Aki" Tiez hisses, an anime vein pulsating on the side of her head.

"If it wasn't for me" Aki sniffs, "She'd still be flailing around in the middle of the street."

"Hey, that's not-"

Ino cuts herself off, her eyes widening at the sound of multiple pairs of feet walking towards them.

"Do something" Tiez orders, to which Aki shrugs.

"What am I suppose to do?"

"I dunno, but you'd better think fast!" Tiez whispers loudly, before abruptly shoving a surprised Aki out into the street.

The black and white Wolf trips over Ino's feet and lands in a heap on the ground, his eyes spinning. After a few seconds, Aki sits up and shakes his head, only to pause when he realises that the group of men are now staring at him.

Aki stares right back, his eyes wide and his ears laying backwards, as he tries to think of a good distraction. Unable to think of anything with such short notice, the Wolf rises to his feet and ruffles his fur. He would have to sacrifice his dignity for this.

"Meow?" he says unconvincingly, causing Ashley, Shino, Shimei and Jet to anime fall up on the roof. Ino slaps a hand to her forehead, as Tiez buries her face in her paws, trying to hold in a laugh.

"....That is the weirdest looking cat I've ever seen" one man points out, slurring his words a little bit.

"Here kitty kitty" another coos, waving his hand at a now highly unimpressed Aki.

The Wolf stares at the men with a deadpan expression, as they all begin making kissy noises, trying to encourage him over to them.

Heaving a sigh, Aki watches as large orange and brown leaves begin to swirl around the men. The soldiers all pause and look around, wondering what is happening, before they all suddenly fall in a heap on the ground, fast asleep.

"Okay, that was worth it" Tiez barks out a laugh, as she trots out from behind the dumpster and sits beside Aki. "I don't know who was dumber, them or you."

"Nobody look at me please" Aki begs, turning away dejectedly. "I am filled with shame...."

"Nice save Aki" Ashley whispers loudly, trying to encourage the Wolf despite his embarrassment.

"What was that?" Ino asks, crawling out from behind the dumpster and looking over at the sleeping men. "Whatever it was, it worked great!"

"It was my Genjutsu darling" Aki brags, suddenly looming in Ino's face, his eyes glittering and his fur shining. "Not only am I exceptionally beautiful, but I am also very powerful."

"O-oh...." Ino says awkwardly, trying to lean away from the Wolf as he continues to sparkle in her personal space.

"Yeah, yeah" Tiez scoffs, rolling her eyes. "You're good at putting people to sleep, big deal. Let's keep goin already!"

"Shouldn't we hide the bodies?" Ino queries, hesitating beside the pile of sleeping men. "What if someone finds them here?"

"It's a bunch of drunk guys" Tiez says dismissively, crouching down as she readies herself to jump up onto the building. "It's not like they're dead."

"Come on you guys" Ashley urges from up on the roof, waving for her friends to follow. "Just forget them."

"I'm sure we're going to be running into more soldiers" Shimei murmurs, half to himself. "We're so close to the tower now..."

"I can see it from here" Jet comments, looking over at the building, as Ino, Tiez and Aki land on the roof beside him.

He turns his head and watches as Ashley kneels down to pet a grinning Tiez, with Aki gently headbutting her shoulder. Reaching up with her other hand, Ashley ruffles the fur on Aki's head, much to his delight.

Jet feels a strange pang in his chest at the sight of Ashley smiling at the other two Wolves, a feeling that causes him to look away with a solemn expression on his face.

Shimei notices the look on his Wolf's face and glances back at Ashley for a few seconds, before sighing and rising to his feet.

"Let's keep going" the red head says with a small smile. "We're almost at our position."

The small group continue on their way for a few more minutes, able to escape the sight of any other soldiers or villagers, before stopping on the roof of a building that is close to the front of Sirius' tower.

"Let's wait here for Kakashi's signal" Shimei orders, raising one hand and then bringing it down, signalling for his team to keep low. "We've got a good visual of the front door."

Ashley and Ino shuffle over to Shimei and peek over the small wall, eyeing the tower uncertainly.

"You know" Ino whispers, brows furrowing slightly, "Considering they're all on alert, there's not many soldiers at the front door."

"Surely he wouldn't be stupid enough to send them all out on patrol" Ashley mutters. "Shimei, can I drop down and see if I can sense anything?"

The red-haired boy immediately shakes his head, the idea of Ashley being out in the open right in front of the tower causing him to feel tense.

"It's not safe" Shimei explains. "I'm sure your Sensei would be angry at me if I let you do that."

Ashley sighs heavily at this, before sweat dropping. Even though she wanted to check if any soldiers were hidden, she knew that Shimei was right. Kakashi would kill Shimei, and then her if she did something so reckless.

"I wonder how the others are faring...." Shino says, sitting his back against the wall. He raises one arm as a small number of bugs arrive and fly into his sleeve.

"......Team Kurenai are also in position" he confirms after a short pause. "Team Asuma are almost in place........Team Kakashi are hiding from a large patrol."

"Are they alright?" Ashley immediately asks, leaning forwards, her eyes widening slightly.

"......I'm not sure" Shino says slowly. "I need more information."

Shino turns his head, waiting for more of his beetles to return, as more fly out of his opposite sleeve.

Ashley's mouth pulls downwards as she turns back around, her shoulders slumping. She stares hard at the tower ahead, hoping that her team on the other side of it are alright.

After a few moments of silence, Jet raises his nose to the air and begins to sniff, looking slightly concerned.

"What is it Jet?" Shimei asks, only for the Wolf to hesitate for a second. He knew that Ashley was going to do whatever she wanted once she heard what he had to say.

".....I can smell fire coming from the South" Jet finally states, to which Ashley jumps to her feet.

Shimei swiftly reaches out and grabs onto the girl's wrist to keep her from leaving. He had already learned how impulsive she could be.

Before Ashley can open her mouth to protest however, a bolt of lightning flashes down from the sky on the other side of the tower. The light is immediately followed by a thunderous bang, to which Ino lets out a gasp.

"Let me go" Ashley demands, turning to Shimei. She pulls against the red head, only for his grip to tighten.

"We can't give away our position" Shimei reasons, only for Ashley to glower up at him, a strange desperation in her eyes.

"I said" the girl growls, "Let me go."

"No" Shimei reiterates, despite his concern for the other team. "Kakashi said-"

Everyone falls silent, as a large number of soldiers suddenly run past the building they are standing on, heading towards the lightning bolt as fast as they can.

Ashley's eyes widen at the sight of the soldiers, unable to keep count of them. She feels her breath beginning to quicken.

While she knew that her friends were strong, knowing that they were in danger and she wasn't by their side was distressing.

Jet and Ashley turn to look at each other, the Wolf feeling that pang in his heart again. The sight of that look in her eyes, a mix of fear and determination, he was weak to it.

"I will keep you safe Milady" Jet promises, stepping forwards.

Ashley's expression softens as she smiles up at the Wolf, as Shimei looks between the two, seemingly unsurprised by Jet's loyalty to the other Minami.

Despite his hesitation, Shimei releases Ashley's wrist, to which she immediately whirls around and drops down from the building, Jet right behind her.

"C'mon Aki!" Tiez barks, not wanting to be left behind. "We gotta go too!"

Aki chuckles in defeat, shaking his head as Tiez jumps from the roof of the building as well. It seemed that the younger Wolf had already grown attached to Ashley, and wherever Tiez went, Aki would never be far behind.

"Uhhh, Shino?" Ino asks, hopping in place as she panics. "What do we do?!"

".....We go to help our friends" the Aburame decides easily, stepping up onto the wall, before glancing back at Shimei. "One of your friends is also in trouble, right?"

"........You're right" Shimei admits, smiling sadly. "I'm not much of a leader if I hesitate to help my friends am I?"

"Just don't hesitate when it counts" Shino advises, stepping off of the wall and dropping to the ground.