Karasu POV:
I screamed at the top of my lungs as I shot upright. Cold sweat beaded on my forehead, running down my face and onto my neck. I grasped onto my blanket as if it was the only thing stopping me from going back to the hell I just experienced. I looked around, I was still in my bedroom. Moonlight filtered through my window casting a hazy blue light on my floor, dimly illuminating my room. I breathed shakily as I remembered the dream, I closed my eyes trying to calm down but the flashes kept coming back. The blood pouring out of their bodies, people screaming and my comrade dead on the ground. Silent tears fell down my cheeks as I sniffled. It had happened two weeks ago but I still hadn't felt better than the day he died. The nightmares hadn't stopped coming, ever since the day of his death every night I woke up screaming. It was the same for Gisei and Unmei when they died, me waking up in ditress every night. I wiped away my tears and stifled my sniffles. Crying wasn't going to change what had happened.
*5 hours later*
The sun was rising causing shades of orange and blue to fill the sky giving off a brilliant orange glow. The river that I was beside sparkled like millions of jewels flowing smoothly past. It was still cold and mist hung suspended in the air. I breathed in the cold crisp air as I sat on the damp grass. I stared at the ground and held my hands up in front of my chest. Moving swiftly I created hand signs. Jutsu after justsu I practiced them slowly draining my charkra. With a day off it meant I could sit out here alone and lose myself in training. I exhaled loudly and fell back. I unfolded my legs and stretched them out. The sun was high now, the cold air was forgotten as sunlight warmed my face. I closed my eyes and listened to the stream mumbling quietly, the chirping of birds and the wind whistling through the trees. I was exhausted from the little sleeping had been receiving, but I didn't want to fall asleep not here. But my body couldn't resist the opportunity of a rest. I slowly drifted off, my eyes too tired to open as I let a wave of sleep crash over me.
I was paralyzed, I couldn't move a muscle even my breaths were short. I watched as blood pooled at my feet, I felt pain but yet it wasn't mine. I looked warily at the figure in front of me, their once spiky hair now drenched in crimson blood and fallen in front of his eyes. His clothes soaked in blood, he looked the exact same way as I saw him last. He advanced towards me, behind his hair I could see fury flickering in them. With every step his wounds gushed blood adding to the pool of blood below.
"Why did you let me die!?" He screamed pushing me to the ground, my limbs were still stiff. I tried to say something but all I could manage to do was make a strangled groan. Fear radiated across my chest, my heartbeat loud in my ears.
"WHY?" he said pushing me into the blood, I still couldn't move as he held me down by the shoulders. I was soaked in blood, my clothes clung to my body and my hair was heavy with blood. Tears fell down my cheek as he screamed at me, pushing me further into the crimson liquid. The blood was rising, almost up to my mouth. I tried to move knowing I was going to drown but I couldn't. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he furiously screamed at me. Blood flooded over me, I tried to move a muscle, anything to get out. His grip disappeared allowing my body to be taken over by the liquid dragging me down. Finally being able to move as my paralysis faded, I let out an inaudible scream for help as I thrashed about my arms and legs flailing .
I opened my eyes, I was laying on my back looking at the sky which was now pitch black. Clouds rolled over above as raindrops fell from the sky, I was soaked. The heat of the sun was forgotten as the cold air whipped against my skin. I sat up, hot tears rolling down my flushed cheeks. As I remembered the dream, guilt racked my body. A ball formed in my throat making it impossible to swallow and threatening to make throw up. How was I so stupid that day? I breathed shakily and shook my head, I needed to get home. I wiped my tears away hoping that my eyes weren't too noticeable and stood up. The wind picked up, making the rain become harsher against my skin . Thunder rolled overhead and flashes illuminated the sky as I ran to the village. I arrived, my clothes were pressed against my body, my hair was wet and messy. I just pulled over my hood and hoped nobody I knew saw me in this state. I walked through the streets, despite the weather so many people were still outside. I walked as quickly as could keeping my gaze at the ground avoiding making eye contact with anybody. Suddenly I felt a weight on my shoulder, I spun around and looked at who it was. I cursed silently in my head as I looked up making eye contact with them.
"Karasu are you okay?" They asked with genuine concern, bending down slightly to become eye level with me. I looked down hoping they didn't take notice of my eyes.
"I'm fine" I whispered, barely audible. They shook their head and stood up straight with a serious face.
"I know a lie when I hear one, come on you're staying at ours tonight" They said grabbing my arm and pulling me along. I scowled under my hood, I didn't deserve any sympathy, I closed my eyes and grimaced. If only I hadn't been crying, I hated letting those hot tears stream down my face. I reopened my eyes and their was still gripping firmly onto my arm.
"I really think I should go back to my place" I said trying to crack a smile as we made our way through the crowd. They glanced back at me their gaze unreadable. They shook their head and sighed.
"Karasu, The hokage knows your're under a lot of stress at the moment and you look like complete a wreck, just stay at my place at least for one night so I know your're okay " They said keeping their gaze forward.
"Okay Sakura" I said, I didn't want to disagree with her. Although I hated the idea of it, staying at theirs would relieve some stress. I didn't want people to be bothering me any more than they had to. If I acted cheerful tonight they would stop asking if I was okay. I sighed and looked up at the stars littering the sky. Just tonight, I repeated in my head,Just tonight.