Russet hued leaves. Heavenly, white snowflakes; unparalleled in structure. Tears; the universal blood of love. Haruno Sakura. All of these are things that are able to fall and are able to be caught, but could just as easily slip through your fingers.
What was happening? One moment he was monitoring the ominous chakra and silently communicating with Yamato, and the next moment his female teammate was trying to see who could get to the ground the fastest; her feet or her head.
Right around when the ten minute mark of traveling approached and passed, Sakura began to feel somewhat chilly. As the young woman tried to adjust to the abrupt change in temperature, she continued her pace, making sure to keep up with her men. With one step on a branch with her right foot a sweltering, razor-sharp needle swiftly made its way up the young woman's spine; not stopping until it swept throughout her brain, leaving behind a frigid pulsing. Brilliant, calculating jade orbs dulled and blurred as a haze began to take over the young woman's vision.
'What...what's going on' Thoughts were barely able to drag themselves through Sakura's sluggish mind. The kunoichi's blood felt frozen as the shock that rocked her spine managed to cause an all over chill that sank into the depths of her bones. Continuing for what seemed like eons, Sakura could no longer speak; for when she tried, her throat felt raw and ravaged. Legs growing heavy with some substance akin to lead, the young woman could no longer continue. Long, thick eyelashes fluttered until jade was completely hidden behind ivory lids; Sakura could hold on no longer.
Four pairs of trained ears picked up the sickly, desperate gasps. Struggling profusely with the simple task of inhalation, Sakura drew all of Team Kakashi's eyes. Heavy, frantic breaths made the woman seem as if she had blood that was unable to absorb oxygen; not one drop containing the relief she so desperately sought. All the eyes widened in absolute astonishment as highly trained ears and orbs picked up the telltale 'SWISH' that signaled the slip of Sakura's shinobi sandal on a mossy branch.
"SAKURAAAA" Was screamed in utter bewilderment and terror, but only reached the azalea-haired woman as a fading whisper among the trees. Looking up, all Sakura could see was her untamed, silken tendrils whipping with the wind. Struggling with her fading energy, the young woman could faintly detect an orange blob; she paid no mind to it as a scorching sensation caused her eyes to flutter once more.
A strangled gasping of air and distressed shriek of "NOOOO" Echoed throughout the miniscule clearing. Three pairs of shinobi issued sandals landed on the unforgiving earth at least forty feet below the branches. "SAKURA! Are you ok?!" The blonde of the team spewed questions all over the place to an unresponsive female that was currently cradled in a pair of sturdy, protective, navy clad arms.
No movement, no sounds. Silence encompassed the clearing as calm, masculine fingers danced across a terrifyingly pale neck. Blood racing and adrenaline oozing, Kakashi's heart disagreed with his insanely steady hands. 'Come on...find it...find it' Desperately searching for her pulse as he pressed his dextrous digits with more pressure into where her pulse should be.
"She's unconscious Naruto" Kakashi spoke with an uneasiness in his voice, pain obviously radiating through his body from taking the brunt of the impact. Still cradling the frail form of his subordinate in his arms, Kakashi gently nudged her shoulder. 'What happened to you, Sakura?' Was one of his many thoughts as he examined her body for any obvious signs of foul play.
"Sakura, can you hear me?" FLowed from Kakashi's lips with a measured, steady breath. His breathing may be steady, but his emotions were thrown into a turbulent mess and he could swear his heart was going to palpitate right through his ribcage. Observing her face, the silver-haired man expected to see glowing, porcelain skin with a dash of rose staining her cheeks. Instead the jonin received a stark contrast to the youthful, healthy skin he was so used to seeing on the little spitfire. The glow was put out with a sickly pale, and the pink faded from her cheeks like all of her energy was being sucked away.
"SENSEI, WHAT'S WRONG WITH HER?!" The scream did nothing to soothe his eardrums as his overzealous teammate flailed around. Close to tears and questioning Sakura's status in the world of the living, the compassionate, blonde shinobi's chakra flared about him in a warning of what was to come. With a single, barked order from his captain, Yamato restrained the enraged young man.
Locking an austere stare on Naruto, the air became thick. Stilling immediately after being captured by his commander's gaze, the flamboyant young man waited. With an exasperated breath and glance to the delicate form crowned with pink residing in his lap, Kakashi made quick work of his role. "We need to stay focused. You listen to every order I give and obey accordingly. Am I clear?" No one could deny the domineering presence of Hatake Kakashi, especially when his baritone drips so much venom that you're obliged to reply; lest you wish to sear with hs poison.
"Yamato, would you mind supplying us with a few logs for a fire?" Nodding his consent, Yamato produced enough wood for a small fire. Yelling about needing to help and about the urgency of the situation, Kakashi's patience was thinning with Naruto. "Naruto...work on starting a fire...No comments" Voice crisp and sharp left no room for arguing.
As soon as the blonde haired boy was a few feet away working on the fire, Yamato approached his captain. "You know...I could've started the fire" His voice betrayed none of his true emotions as he covertly inquired as to what Kakashi's true motives were. "I needed something to occupy him while we discuss what's happening" Arms still holding the afflicted young woman.
"Ahh I see...Do you have any idea what it is?" As he began to speak, the chocolate-haired shinobi moved closer to the unconscious woman. "No...Athough I hope this isn't the jutsu we're after" Was the solemn response he received. Before he could pose a solution, a sudden awareness prickled at the wood-user's senses. Back ramrod straight and body turning towards the north "Do you feel that?" He questioned the, also cognizant, silver-haired male.
"Yes" Was the only answer Yamato would receive. Expertly dodging vicious weapons being hurled at his head, Yamato leapt towards the heavens. Barely registering what was happening, the team's second in command watched as seven kunai embedded themselves in the flesh, muscles and spine of the copy nin's back. An anguished gasp was ripped from Kakashi's throat as his bloodied body fell towards the earth; all the while holding the team's precious blossom.
A/N: What's going to happen? Did Kakashi AND Sakura just die? Let me know what you think, review before you leave!