Knock Knock

"Lord Seventh I have urgent news," I opened the door swiftly, stepping into the room.

"Ukai, what is it?" Lord Naruto asked.

I blinked, taking a few steps forward to act naturally but no more. I didn't want to accidentally walk into something.

"They are here sir... The Byakuya Gang has made it into the leaf." I answered.

"What?" I heard his chair wheels squeak, indicating her had stood.

"I'm not sure when they first arrived, but they must have changed plans to attack us once Kazane and I made them on our mission," I concluded.

"Have you made contact?" Advisor Shikamaru's voice asked.

"Yes... My team and I spotted a member and a suspected member. I sent Kogiro after the suspected member while Makou and I pursued the former. We were forced to engage in combat and the suspect got away," I explain, clenching my fists.

"And Kazane's team?" Lord Naruto asked.

"I have no info on how their patrol went."

"Go find Kazane, take this as well, we have managed to pinpoint the man you two described as the leader, we need to catch him on the move before he causes any real damage to the village."

"Yes sir," I nodded, extending my hand out in front of me.

I could barely make it or the scroll Lord Naruto was handing me but managed to grasp it. I bowed before turning and heading out of the office, walking in the straightest line I could to ensure no collision courses with anything.

'Come on... don't be so weak!' I growl at myself, rubbing my eyes then shaking my head.

Blinking I watched my vision clear only slightly, enough to make out clear outlines of objects but not enough to be able to see and read finer details.

'This is bad...' I place my hand on the wall to steady myself.

"Ukai!"

I lifted my gaze and watched three figures approach.

"Kazane?"

"We were just on our way to give our report to Lord Hokage, have you already given yours?" She asked.

"Yes, but leave the debrief to your team, the Hokage has a new mission for you and I," I hand her the scroll.

There was a pause, -I assume as she read it,- before she hummed and shifted.

"Right, you two report to the Hokage, we will return as soon as we can." The two ninja accompanying her walked past me toward the Hokage office and Kazane handed me back the scroll.

"Let's go," She said.

I nodded and followed her out, I stayed behind her for most of the journey, following her every move as I knew there would be nothing for me to slam into on her path.

"Ukai are you ok?" Kazane's voice broke my concentration.

"Fine..." I answer, turning my attention back to the tree I had jumped onto.

"...You sure?" She pushed.

I bit my cheek, squeezing my eyes shut tightly for a second before turning my head to look in her direction.... at least, I think in her direction.

"I'm fine, Kazane, let's just get this mission over with." I snip, turning to face forward again before jumping to the ground.

'There's no putting it off anymore... after this mission, I need to see Orochimaru...' I tell myself, focusing on my hearing and touch.

With my eyes out of commission, I need to be on double guard.

"Ukai look out!" Kazane's voice shouted.

I lifted my gaze and was struck with immense force in the gut, sending me flying back.

"You two are becoming a problem..."

"Ukai!, Ukai are you ok?" Kazane knelt next to me, helping me sit up.

I groaned but nodded and sat up, standing shakily and putting an arm out in front of Kazane.

"Your 'crusade' ends here Byakuya..." I hiss, shifting my left foot behind me.

"I think not... see having run into you two the other day, it made me realize the Leaf wasn't going to wait for us to attack... they were going to move first, stop us before we ever reached the village..." The male before us explained.

"He's not alone, I sense another 50 meters behind him," Kazane whispered in my ear.

I slowly moved my right hand behind me to unclasp my sword, grab hers lightly, and guide it to the weapon.

"But you see... in that strategy is a weakness..." The Byakuya member went on.

"And how is that?" I ask, covering Kazane's movements.

"That means... they'd send you away from the village... leaving it vulnerable..."

I spazzed straight, biting my tongue before activating my Sharingan. My eyes stung and I had to shut them for a second before I had the strength to use them. My vision cleared only slightly and I finally could see the white-haired male we encounter on the last mission standing before me.

"Kazane..." I grab the purple-haired kunoichi's attention.

"I haven't been completely honest... I... overused my Sharingan on patrol... and as a result, I am currently half-blind..." I tell her softly.

"W~what?" She gasped.

"I will hold him off while you try and find his partner. Take my sword so once you find him you can trap him." I told my partner.

"Ukai I'm not leaving you here defenseless..." Kazane's voice gained a stern pitch.

'Hmm,' I chuckled to myself.

"Don't die ok..." I tell her, forcing my eyes to shift into my Mangekyou Sharingan.

"Ukai..."

"Go," I tell her, charging at the male before me.

I threw a punch but he blocked it. I then lifted my leg and kicked at his head, making him duck a jump back. I put my hands together and blew a fireball at him, watching him jump every which way to dodge it.

'He doesn't use Ninjutsu,' I think, running at him again.

"You are moving more desperately than the last time we fought... why is that Uchiha?" I heard him chuckle before he kicked at my chest, sending me back into a tree.

I hissed, falling to my knees. When I lifted my head I watched my opponent run toward me ready to kick my head. I activated my ms and sent fire shooting out around my body forcing him to jump away to avoid getting burnt. I slowly stood, activating my next jutsu and creating 10 earth clones, using their eyes to pinpoint where he was going to land. I then made the ground shoot up to grab him, locking him in a cage only for him to cut his way out. I then activated Chidori on my hand and ran at him, thrusting my hand at his head and chest. My opponent evaded every thrust I made for fatal points but I managed to knick his cheek and arms, causing him to growl at me. I took advantage of his rage and went to thrust my hand into his chest but pain shot through my eyes and head, causing me to stumble. I groaned, wiping at the fresh blood running from my sockets.

"Hnn!" The gang member grinned and dragged his sword over my front, from my hip to my right shoulder.

I hissed, jumping back and dissolving my Chidori, grabbing my head over my eyes.

"That should be enough time..." He mumbled before he was gone.

I looked around for any trace of him but saw and sensed none.

"Damnit..." I groan, wobbling on my feet before my vision went black and fell to the floor.