He opened the door at the hokage's office panting, breathing heavily and his lazy cool stoic expression was changed into panic and worry. "Sandaime Erza's been kidnapped!" he exclaimed. Things he felt he should have done, coupled with his perceived failures dominated his mind. He thought about his actions and words, finding them inadequate. Festering guilt rendered his mind ineffective, his short term memory shot.
Sarutobi was shocked at him and raised an eyebrow at him "Well, this is an urgent matter, we have to get her fast but I should say that you're a lot worked up than usual, If I have known better I would say that you don't just treat this as a mission, as you have a feeling towards the woman"
Kakashi fought the urge to grit his teeth in frustration and tried to hide what he truly feels and faked a smile "May I request your approval to lead a search and rescue mission to bring her back. Since it's time constricting I will take my students with me. I shall take full responsibility on whatever will happen during this quest. It will be a good experience for them too."Hiruzen rested his chin on his knuckles and did a quick thinking "Very well, you have my permission but be careful I can't loose two of my best shinobi on this and Naruto, I think even if I disapproved you will still leave and pursue her" Kakashi bowed and in a flash he was out the gates of the village with Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura. He briefed the two of what their mission is and is really worried about her. She may be the strongest ninja at the time being but her physical body is not yet fully recovered making her vulnerable for any attacks.
Erza was struggling against the bonds that kept her immobilized as she glared to her captors. "Very well the, enough of the introductions since you won't be seeing us again after this process or should I say that you won't be seeing anyone" Danzo jokingly commented "Alright, prepare the surgery" Orochimaru ordered his team as they flew towards the operating room at the next room. The fear traveled in Erza's veins but never made it to her facial muscles or skin. Her complexion remained pale and matte, her eyes as steady as if she was watching the sea showing she wasn't afraid.
Kakashi bit his finger to let out a small amount of blood and pressed his hands five fingers to the ground and channel chakra into them "Kuchiyose no Jutsu: Ninken" he said then with a puff of smoke appeared a miniature pug with brown fur and a dark brown snout and ears. He has pink-colored paws and wears the standard outfit of Kakashi's ninken which consists of a blue vest with the heno-heno-moheji seal and a Konoha forehead protector, but his is worn on top of his head in a similar style to Sakura. He also wears a bandage on his right front leg. "Hisashiburida ne Kakashi (long time no see) I see you're with the girl who uses my shampoo pointing at Sakura" the dog greeted while Sakura was flustered and was speechless and with a pout she said "I didn't know its for dogs you know" Sasuke reacted with a small laugh "hn" while his head's down arms crossed "That's alright Sakura, I sure love how you smell" Naruto said tapping her back. "Pakkun I need you to find her" He responded handing a piece of cloth he got from Erza's things. sniff sniff "Follow me" and they all are leaping through the tree as they followed after the pug. kakashi felt only an inch away from tearing out his own hair in frustration as he felt that it's taking them forever to find her worried that it might be a little too late when they arrive. Naruto kept complaining about Sakura hitting him multiple times now, Sakura not in a good mood because of Pakkun's shampoo comments and Sauske laughing at her.
Kakashi in an impulse pushed Sakura out of the way as a kunai with a paper bomb flew through the tress and stuck on the trunk next to him and threw a kunai back. They all jumped away as the bomb exploded. The a shower of kunai, shuriken and needles came as they dodge them and charge towards the cave. When they are near the perimeter masked ninjas wearing black clothing, a grey flak jacket, metal arm guards and gloves and ninja sandals with spikes appeared with swords on their hands ready for battle. "Anbu- ninja black ops" Sakura shouted "Root were dissolved, what are they doing here!?!" Sasuke exclaimed. As usual Naruto looked at them having no idea who they were and what's happening. "This looks like our enemy is someone from the leaf" Kakashi said "Get ready to fight and be careful, I am counting on you guys" he signaled them for attack.
Few of the ninja's launched an attack after his words and tried to fight of as much as he could, they were a lot. Naruto's kage bunshin started filling up the place and much to their surprise the clones transformed into nude women that distracted the enemies. Seeing that Kakashi sweat dropped and face palmed while Sakura threw countless kunai at them, and Sasuke used the opportunity while the enemies are distracted and managed to deal with some using his katon: fire ball jutsu. "Next time you do that Naruto you're dead" He said to the blond who turned pale and scared at the serious Kakashi "But it worked" Naruto mumbled. kakashi went towards one of the ninja's grabbed his collar "Who sent you? Where are you hiding Erza Uchiha?" he growled at him. He had a sly malicious smirk "she probably is being tortured right now or dead" he answered. Kakashi looked at him as if he's going to die a tortuous death worst than hell his gripped tightened as he let out his frustrations and is about to hit him with his lightning blade.
Fear befall onto the man's eyes and spilled out information "She is being held hostage by Danzo Shimura who I think will take her sharingan and Orochimaru will use her body to do an experiment or will take over her body so he can use her magical abilities, their hide out is that way" he pointed his shaky hands. kakashi released him and stood up "Let's go"
They entered Orochimaru's hideout and laboratory. It is an underground hideout. It has a mouth of a snake for an entrance and several snake-like candle-holders on the walls. It was also filled with large glass cylinders with liquids in it. "Stay Alert" he reminded the three. They reached an open space with a big snake head on it's altar and found Erza in the middle of a magic circle her half body submerged under it and it seems as if it was just a hologram of some sort she is unconscious tied up and had some device on her wrist.
"Erza!!!" he shouted. Then out of nowhere Danzo and Orochimaru appeared. Danzo's arm covered with sharingan which angered Sasuke and orchimaru has snake coming out of his body. "Sasuke and Naruto I need you to keep Danzo busy but be careful, Sakura get Erza and I will deal with Orochimaru" they leaped towards their position after his words.
Naruto made few kage bunshins and attacked the old man and Sasuke had him chained up "Why do you have sharingans on your arms and eyes?" he asked "So more sharingan for me" he answered the three battled kunai clashing bunshins disappearing and reappearing, fire ball here and there. Kakashi and Orochimaru fights as he imitates all the snake chanter's jutsu but they are not planning to kill them, their mission is to retrieve Erza and tries to avoid fighting as much as possible. Sakura manage to dispel the circle and took the red head on her shoulders and leaped outside. Kakshi saw them and bought her more time so they can go a decent distance, after seem like forever kakashi signaled his team to retreat.
Sasuke manage to injure Danzo that he was not able to move and Kakashi placing a seal on Orochimaru which rendered him paralyzed. They head out towards the girls and found that Sakura was trying to heal Erza as she slowly regains consciousness.
"Sakura, Wha... what happened?" She asked with confusion. As the pink head about to give out an explanation the silver haired ninja ran towards her kneeling down and hugging her tight as if there will be no tomorrow. Tears started to swell up in the corner of his eyes as he buries his face into her hair near her ears. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have left you alone" he whispered "Are you crying?" she mocked him "He just hugged her even tighter "Ugh Kakashi, I can't breath" she said tapping his back and he released her looked at her caressing her cheeks. His eyes showed a kind and gentle concern. He laid his hand lightly top of her head tapping it softly as he brushes her hair and putting some stray red strands of her hair at the back of her ears. It was really soothing as blush flooded Erza's face.
"Are you hurt?" he spoke with such a soft voice she felt his words calming her more by the way they were said than the actual words. It felt as if she was wrapped in a blanket of his caring. His eyes full of affection and looked dreamy. "I'm fine" she said looking away. wild giggles can be heard from the students as they watched the two.
Kakashi carried her bridal style, signaled the three and went back home as she rested on his chest.