Falling. The sensation is almost gut retching. Below me endless darkness. Above Keichi screaming my name. My fear has left me now. I'm resigning to my fate now as I fall to my death. Keichi... I'm sorry I have to leave you like this... but I guess you'll have to go on with out me... I close my eyes and fall, making not a sound except the wind rushing passed me.
"RAKU!"
My senses bombard me as I watch my best-friend and team mate fall into the abyss. My body is screaming at me to jump after her but my mind tells me otherwise. It wouldn't be good to have both of us die. She can't be dead... I turn to the ANBU behind me and make a quick order
"Go as fast as you can to Konoha and tell them what's happened."
My voice falters as I say the words I don't want to believe. She can't be dead... No... I refuse to believe it... He seems not to have noticed
"I-- I'll get her body..." Please don't be dead... please...
With that the ANBU disappears and I turn back to the deep crevice. Shuddering at the thought of having to look at her dead body I slowly make my way down the steep wall. One slip of my chakra control and i'd end up like Raku. Some how I make it to the bottom. I stand still letting my eyes adjust to the dim light. One I can see at least somewhat well I look around me. Rock, rock, rock, Were is she... large sand pile, rock, rock... wait... sand pile? My eyes instantly snap back to the large mound of sand. Could she... I let my hopes get up momentarily as I run over to the mound. As I get closer I notice a large indent in the top... about the same size as Raku.Could she have caught herself, then walked away possibly? I get closer and notice no foot steps leading away from the indent in the sand. My stomach drops and I start to look around franticly searching for any sign of life. Come on... your stronger than that... were are you... Suddenly out of the corner of my eye something twitches. My attention instantly snaps back to the sand were I see a single pale finger twitching slightly. It continues to twitch and the sand falls lightly away from a thin pale hand. It finally sinks in what happened. She's... she's alive! Panic over rides as I start digging Raku's limp for out of the sand.Must. Not. Let. Her. Suffocate! She's pretty beat up from the landing but looks like she'll survive.
"Keichi!"
I hear a familiar voice coming from above. Looking up I see a green smudge that could only be my father. Seems Hokage Naruto-sama was quick to respond to the knowledge that his only daughter and the biggest tie between Konoha and Suna was possibly dead or dyeing.
"Keichi! Is that you?! I'm coming down!"
The green blur suddenly jumps off the edge. Just like my dad to do something as insane as that, but how can you blame him for doing something that he can easily get away with. Landing lightly the big show off hurries over.
"Is she still alive?"
My father kneels beside me looking closely at the limp form in my arms. I nod, a look of relief crossing my features. Thank gawd for that. My dad seemed to notice me relax because he suddenly smiles, a teasing look crossing his eyes. He already knew I was a loyal person. I would be with anyone, but... but with her it's different... I would die for her... Dad would know what I meant... he was the same same way and had been from their first encounter. The day he challenged the prodigy and traitor Uchiha Sasuke and awesomely enough beet him too... or he would have had his Sensei not interrupted the fight.
"you know she looks a lot like her father... not Naruto as much as Gaara though..."
My dad's sudden words jerk me out of my thoughts. I look up to him nod my agreement. Raku's parental situation had always been a mystery to everyone (not including her actual parents), having two dads was strange enough, but the fact that she was actually born, not adopted was what made people's brains turn to mush just by thinking of how it was possible. Sure Hokage-sama had his Sexy-no-jutsu but the thought that someone could possibly hold that jutsu for long enough to create life then the nine months it took to have it grow AND on top of that give birth was mind boggling. My dad suddenly gets a devious look crossing his face.
"Hey I just thought of something... Maybe I should challenge her... you know. See if she'd be able to kick my ass as well as Gaara did. She is an ANBU after all."
Dad was always good at making light of a situation and despite my worry I smile.
"I think she'd like the chance to kick your ass and show up her dad at the same time."
We continue to smile for a bit thinking over what the Kazekage's reaction would be, if he heard his daughter had beaten my father. She had picked up a good portion of her after battle pride from the Hokage and would sometimes verge on being as loud and obnoxious as her blonde father. That point was much to her more calm father's displeasure. As if remembering the seriousness of the situation we both loose the grins plastered on our faces.
"I think that's enough chit chat for now... we should get her to Kohona ASAP."
Nodding we both disappear.
Back in Konoha Raku is still worse for wear as she's quickly admitted to the hospital. After a few moments of prodding from the head doctor, Tsunade, it's finally brought to my attention that she hasn't suffered any life threatening injuries, but with a few broken ribs and a mild concussion it would be better if she stayed in the hospital. Well at least until she woke up. Sitting down in the chair beside her hospital bed, I yawn lightly. Out of my eye I see mild concern cross the still young looking woman's face.
"You sure you don't want to be checked yourself? You look kinda beet up."
Smiling I shake my head, refusing her offer.
"I'm just tired... and besides I want to be here when she wakes up."
I watch as she nods slightly then leaves the room, closing the door behind her. I sigh as I get comfy in the chair. We were lucky this time... if this had happened at the start of the mission, we could have been in some major trouble... I hope you wake up soon... Unconsciously my eyes start to close and head falls lightly onto the bed side, beside Raku's hand. Then without warning the darkness consumes my mind.
As the darkness fades around me the steady beep of some strange machine reaches my ears.What the hell... I open my good eye, slowly at first so as not to blind myself with the light. Were am I? My thoughts are fuzzy as I sit upright, clutching at my head as pain shoots through it. Taking in my surroundings only seems to worsen my headache as the white walls glare at me, brightly.
"A hospital...? why..."
Moving my other hand slightly to prop myself up, I feel soft, cool hair brush against it. Looking down I see Keich, his black hair falling slightly out of his small ponytail, sleeping soundly. Smiling lightly I look to the table beside me and grab my eye patch. Putting it on just so and managing to keep my crimson and blond hair from tangling in it. I stifle a yawn as I stretch lightly then nudge softly at Keichi's shoulder.
"Mhm... but I don't want to eat my broccoli mom... mmm... Raku is waiting for m..."
I laugh lightly at his sleep talk then nudge him again, this time harder. It seemed to work a bit better because this time he instantly straightens up, running fingers through mussy hair, and mumbles incoherently. This time letting out a full out chuckle I pat him lightly on the head, then proceed to undo his smoothing work by messing up his hair even more.
"Morning sleepy head!"
The sound of my voice seems to snap him out of his trance-like morning habits, because his eyes suddenly open completely and he looks at me happily.
"your awake..." then under his breath "Thank gawd..."
I smirk at the comment he meant to keep quiet enough that I couldn't hear it.
"I didn't know you were religious."
His eyes widen slightly, seems he had forgotten just how good my hearing was. Trying to regain his composure he stutters out
"I'm-- I'm not! I just... I'm just glad your ok..."
The very noticeable dusting of pink that spread across his cheeks makes me chuckle under my breath. Ruffling his hair once again I vault out of the hospital bed only to stumble over my asleep limbs Oh crap... PINS N' NEEDLES! Why is it always the pins n' needles! Regaining my balance I rub furiously at my legs to make the stabbing sensations go away. After a bit I straighten up to come face to face with Keichi holding back his hysterical laughter. Adopting a neutral face I stare creepyly at him until he stops. He seems to be considering running for his life until, I start to laugh myself.
"Come on we should go report to Dad... and besides... he's probably dyeing to know how I am doing..."
