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The Land of Waves - Part 5

"It's so good to see you're okay!" Tsunami said as she served Sasuke his breakfast. "I'm amazed that you're up and about so soon."

"Don't worry, I'm a fast healer." Sasuke assured her taking a large mouthful of rice, he let out a groan of satisfaction, he couldn't believe how good something as simple as rice could taste.

"Well eat up, I'm sure you need to build up your strength!" Tsunami smiled, happy to see how much of an appetite Sasuke had. Inari and Tazuna watched as he put away his third helping of rice, Kiba watched with a frown. Naruto hadn't stopped smiling since Sasuke had woken up, he couldn't help but wonder if something had happened between them, he couldn't afford to lose to Sasuke.

"So what's the plan?" Tazuna asked.

"Well, we'll need to scout the area, learn what we can about the bandits and their ninja leaders. Where are they based, how many of them are there?"

"That means some surveillance round town then." Kiba stated.

"But they know we're here now, they will be looking for us, I don't want to leave you unprotected." Sasuke stated. "Naruto will remain here to make sure nothing happens while we're gone."

"What!? Why me!?"

"You're shadow clones will allow you to hold off a number of attackers, they won't be able to out number you easily."

"Fine..." Naruto pouted, he hated guard duty, it was so boring.

"You sure you're fit to be heading in town Sasuke?" Tazuna asked. "Last night you were pretty badly hurt."

"Like I said, I'm a fast healer."

"I'll say, I've never seen any ones wounds heal so fast, looking at you you wouldn't know you'd been injured." Tazuna replied.

"Also, until we complete our mission you shouldn't leave the house without an escort. If they find out you hired us they may target you."

"What!? But I've got things to do in town today!" Inari whined.

"Tough luck kid, it's for your own good."

"So not fair!" Inari scowled. "They don't know who hired you yet, so it should still be safe for today at least, right? Please???"

"Inari..." Tsunami said hesitantly.

"Fine!" Sasuke relented. "But you do what I say, when I say it, got it?"

"Right!" Inari grinned, happy he had gotten his own way. Sasuke shook his head, he didn't like it but Inari reminded him a lot of Naruto, he wouldn't give up that easily and if he was that determined he might try and sneak out. At least this way he could keep track of the kid.

************

Sasuke, Kiba and Inari arrived in town mid morning, Inari rode on Akamaru's back to help speed up their journey. The town was already bustling, market sellers shouting to advertise their wares. Sasuke eased into the main street, he wanted to make sure that no one saw them entering town with Inari, the last thing they needed was for the bandits to report that back to their leaders. Kisame and Karabe would definitely try and take advantage of it. They stood in an empty store house just off the main street, Sasuke peering out the door to make sure no one was watching them.

"Okay, this is the last time you're going to get to go in town until we complete out mission!" Sasuke explained with a stern glare so Inari knew he was deadly serious. "You do what you need to do and head home, we will meet you back here in three hours, do not be late!"

"But what if..."

"If you're late, Kiba and I will track you down and carry you back to the house. Try not to get involved with the bandits." Sasuke snapped.

"Fine..." Inari sighed. He knew he was lucky Sasuke was letting him go in town without an escort at all.

"Right, you head out first, Kiba and I will leave in a few minutes." Sasuke ordered, Inari quickly leaving the store room without a moments hesitation.

"I'm surprised you let him come at all."

"Leave it Kiba, Inari's a bit like Naruto, he doesn't like being told what he can't do. I'm letting him have this one outing just to try and keep him from becoming a headache later."

"You're the boss, boss."

They quickly put on their travel cloaks, the long, white hooded cloaks would allow them to traverse the town with less risk of being spotted if any of the bandits from the bridge turned up, or worse, Kisame or Karabe. They stepped out onto the main street and began to walk along, occasionally browsing stalls so that they didn't stand out.

"We'll meet back here in three hours, try and find any Intel you can, especially about where the bandits are holed up." Sasuke said under his breath so only Kiba would hear.

"Right." Kiba confirmed the order and walked away from Sasuke.

Sasuke walked the streets the next hour listening for any hint of talk about the bandits. He had heard that the bandits were selling drugs, mugging travellers and charging business owners for protection; the oldest tricks in the book. There was also word of a brothel, where the bandits would kidnap men, women and children and violate them. Dozens of people had gone missing since the bandits took power here, but only a few had returned.

That's when Sasuke saw him, Karabe. The silver haired shinobi was talking to a group of bandits on the outskirts of town. After giving them their orders Karabe walked through town alone. Sasuke followed him, careful to remain unseen, he noticed that Karabe walked with a limp, he couldn't be sure if it was a result of the fight he had with Kiba last night or if it was from a previous injury. But that wasn't the only thing that Sasuke noticed, the way he moved was wrong, not just the limp. He couldn't put his finger on what was wrong with the way he walked but it bothered Sasuke. He continued to follow Karabe, careful to make sure he wasn't being lead into a trap.