Disclaimer: I do not own the Naruto series….But if I did I would be rich by now ^_^
"Speaking"
(Thinking)
(Guardian angel Speaking)
What happened in Chapter 6:
Outside the Facility…
A few minutes later Kai emerges out of the sewer pipe and into the real world.
Kai stood up and spanked her face. "Finally I'm out" She observed her surroundings and smiled. "So this is how it looks like outside" Kai pranced around.
(Hey this is no time to be giddy; we're still trying to get you out of here) Her guardian angel pointed out.
"Sorry"
(It's okay, now all you have to do is run north)
"North?"
(Just run straight, I'll let you know if we have to change our rout)
"Okay…And thank you"
(No problem Kai)
The little girl and her guardian angel started running; they ran until they got out of the miserable woods and into civilization.
Back in the lab…
"Where is she" Noboro sneered.
"We've searched everywhere Noboro, but she confused us with her clones and must've escaped" Liz exclaimed.
Enraged Noboro punched the wall. "She's a tricky one"
"Why won't you summon the Jubi? That way it'll be a snap to find her" Steam suggested.
"And it'll wear her out" Liz pointed out.
"We can't do that" Noboro looked at his two comrades. "If she's far beyond the forest people are able to see her, and when I command the Jubi to come out people will notice something strange about the girl. They might infiltrate us" Noboro explained.
"What if she ran back to her old village?" Steam silently asked.
"We can never let that happen" Noboro screamed. "Something can spark up her memory if that happens… I don't want to take that chance" Noboro glared at Steam. "Steam, which one of your hounds is the most vicious?"
"That would be Anubis…Why do you ask?"
"I want him to track her down, command him to use any means necessary to stun her. Even if he brings her half dead" Noboro ordered.
Liz looked at Noboro. "That's just insane Noboro what if –"
"Okay Noboro I'll do it, she needs to be punished for scratching me anyway" Steam sneered.
"Steam, when will you learn that Kai is not a pet she's –"
"Human? Au contraire my dear Liz" Noboro grabbed the clipboard containing Kai's progress and handed it to Liz. "It seems that she can no longer be human"
Liz read through the pages and was frightened. "Each time you summon the demon she –"
"She slowly becomes that monster, and when that's complete. I can control the Jubi freely" He chuckled.
A few miles away from the forest…
"Can we stop now, my legs are killing me" Kai begged.
(No we're almost in our first stop) He pointed out.
"Really?"
(Really)
"Okay then let's go" The little girl breathed in fresh air and continued running. Running to who knows where.
Chapter 7: New Friends, Familiar Faces
Outside the Facility's doors…
"Are you sure you're willing to do this Steam?" Liz asked. "She was your favourite after all"
"Keh, she's gone rogue. And rogue pets need to be disciplined" He answered. "Kuchiyose no Jutsu" A dark dog like figure appeared in front of Steam, he petted the beast's snout. "It's been a while Anubis" The dog licked his master's face.
"He's bigger than the last time I saw him" Liz pointed out.
The dog looked at Liz and growled at her. "Oi, Anubis she's not our problem now, Kai is" The beast heeled and looked at his master. "You remember her scent don't you?"
Anubis replied with a low grunt.
"Bring her back you hear? Do whatever it takes." Steam returned to the facility. "Even if you have to bring her half dead" He ordered.
The beast howled and started running.
Liz followed Steam and grabbed his shoulder. "Steam you alright?"
Steam took Liz's hand off his shoulder. "Yeah…It's just, I've never seen Kai this mad at me" Steam exclaimed.
"It must be the medicine, there's so much junk in there that it might have caused her not to think straight" Liz explained.
"I don't know Liz, maybe something in her mind kicked in"
Miles away from the facility…
"*huff* *huff* Hey old man, can't we stop? I'm really tired" Kai begged.
(Not yet, we're almost there…And what did I say about you calling me an old) Her guardian angel exclaimed.
"Almost there, where?"
(Don't worry, I've got everything under – wait turn left here) He commanded.
"Okay then"
Kai turned left and ran. (I hope he's telling the truth) A few minutes later she was standing in front of a thick forest. She crossed her arms and scoffed. "I'm not entering that thing"
(But you have to)
"NO WAY I'M NOT ENTERING ANOTHER DARK –"
Suddenly they heard a cold howl echoing in their ears.
(What was that?)
Kai started shivering; she held the kunai she stole near her chest. "N-no way"
(Kai what was that?)
The little girl scurried in the forest. "No I don't wanna die" She screamed.
(Kai calm down) He urged.
Kai ignored her guardian angel and ran around the forest. "No please not him, somebody help me" She cried.
(Kai concentrate on what you're doing you might -)
"Shut up, shut up SHUT U –" Kai suddenly tripped and fell to the ground.
(Kai are you okay?)
"I-I think so" Kai tried to stand up, but as she stood she flinched when she felt pain on her right ankle. "Ouch, I sprained my ankle"
Another cold howl echoed in the woods, Kai jolted and limped away.
"I must get away" She whispered.
(Kai you can rest now, you're hurt)
"No I can't he might kill me"
(Who?)
"One of Steam's hounds is out to get me" Kai explained.
(Don't worry Kai, we're almost there)
"That's the third time you said that to me, why won't you admit that you're ly –" Kai looked up at the sky and saw smoke. "Smoke?" Suddenly she heard something growl behind her, Kai shivered and raised the kunai. "Who's here?" Kai looked closer to where the sound was coming from; she stared at the area for a long time and sighed in relief. "Thank God I thought I was done for" Kai turned around and limped her way to where the smoke trail starts.
In the forest…
"Man, am I pooped" Naruto lied down on the ground and breathed deeply.
"Yeah, the mission Lady Hokage gave us really wore me out" Shikamaru exclaimed. "But I wonder why Lady Hokage paired the three of us?"
"I dunno how the old hag's mind works so don't ask me. All I care about now is to get some rest" Naruto scoffed.
"Don't worry guys I have the solution to your weariness" Sakura gleamed. She took out a container from her pouch and opened it. "Here you go guys, I made them myself"
Naruto grabbed a black pill from the box and looked at it with disgust. "Sakura are you trying to kill us?" He teased.
"You will be thanking me later, what about you Shikamaru? Do you want one?"
Shikamaru looked at the pills. "Ah, no Sakura I'm good"
Sakura puffed her cheeks. "Please" She begged.
Shikamaru looked at Sakura; he reached out for a pill and gave her an uneasy smile.
"Don't do it Shikamaru; you might die because of food poisoning" Naruto warned.
"What did you say?" Sakura glared at Naruto and groped him. "How would you know? You've never eaten any of my medical pills" Sakura tightened her grasps.
"*gasps* I know *gasps* and I don't plan too"
"Why you little" Sakura pushed Naruto to the ground and started attacking him. "Don't mind us Shikamaru, just enjoy eating that medicinal pill"
Shikamaru looked at the pill and gulped. (If I don't eat this she might kill me, if I eat this there is a chance that I might die of food poisoning) "Well…Here it goes" Shikamaru was about to pop the pill in his mouth when he heard something bustling in the woods.
"Who's there?" He asked.
Sakura stopped attacking Naruto. "What's the matter Shikamaru"
"…I thought I heard someone" He answered.
Sakura stood up and listened. "I don't hear anything"
"I know I heard something" Shikamaru exclaimed.
"Sorry Shikamaru, I don't hear anything either" Naruto pointed out.
Shikamaru walked closer to the bushes and searched. "I'm sure I heard something"
"You're tired Shikamaru, stress can make you hear things" Sakura pointed out.
Naruto slowly stood up. "I'm going to agree with Sakura with this one" Just when he was up on his knees someone tripped one him. "Hey who did –" His eyes widened when he saw a child lying on the floor.
"What's wrong Na –" Sakura was stunned to see a child in lying in front of her.
"Oww" Kai held her swollen ankle.
(She's hurt!) Sakura quickly tended to the child. "Don't worry everything's going to be fine" Sakura raised the child's pants and was shocked to see numerous bandages wrapped around her leg. "I'm just going to take these off and –"
"No don't" Kai begged.
"But –" Suddenly Sakura felt Shikamaru's hand on her shoulder.
"Leave the bandages Sakura, just heal her ankle" Shikamaru looked at the child. "What's your name?" he asked.
Kai trembled in fear; she didn't know who they were or what their true nature was like, she ignored Shikamaru's question.
Shikamaru crouched down and looked at the child. "Hey, don't worry kid. We're good people" He smiled.
"Yeah, except for Sakura. She tried to kill us" Naruto joked.
"Why you, NARU –"
Sakura's rant was interrupted when they heard a sharp howl nearing them. Naruto quickly stood up and positioned an attack stance towards the sound. "What was that?"
"I don't know, but it sure doesn't sound friendly" Shikamaru exclaimed.
Sakura looked at the child and saw her trembling in fear. "What's the matter?" She asked.
Kai covered her face and vigorously shook her head. "No, no no no it found me"
Sakura reached out to the frightened child and rubbed her head. "It's okay, everything will be fine" She assured.
The howls got closer to the group. "Shikamaru, get ready" Naruto demanded.
The ground started shaking, trees started tumbling down. And before they knew it a dark dog like figure glared into their very soul.
"What the hell is that?" Naruto's voice trembled.
"A…Anubis?" Kai whispered
The beast looked at the frightened child and roared at her. Kai quickly stood up and ran for her life.
"Wait, your ankle isn't fully healed" Sakura warned. She stood up and chased the child. "Wait"
"Sakura!" Naruto screamed.
"Naruto let them be, we've got bigger problems" Shikamaru pointed out. He took out his chakra enhanced trench knives and charged at the beast.
But the beast evaded his attack and chased the child.
"I'm not letting you get away" Naruto grabbed Anubis's tail and pulled as hard as he can.
Anubis was tugged a few feet back; he was annoyed at Naruto's perseverance and bit his shoulder.
"Argh!" Naruto held his bleeding wound and twitched at its stinging pain.
Shikamaru looked closely at Anubis's frothing mouth; he observed the beast's saliva as it drips to the ground. (Its saliva is made out of acid!) "Naruto!"
"Yeah I know, it took me a while to process it"
Anubis grunted at the two and sprinted towards Kai and Sakura.
"Shit it's after them"
"I won't let that thing hurt Sakura," Naruto proclaimed. "We gotta stop that thing before it hurts anyone of us".
Naruto and Shikamaru quickly chased the beast.
Deep inside the woods…
"Hey old man, where are you?" Kai asked her guardian angel.
"Hey stop running" Sakura hollered.
Suddenly Anubis appeared behind Sakura. "What the –" But the beast jumped over her and chased Kai, Sakura stopped running and was puzzled at the beast's behavior.
"Sakura!" Naruto screamed. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine" Sakura stared at Naruto's gaping wound. "Naruto you're hurt"
"No I'm fine" Naruto lied.
"You're lying Naruto, let me heal you" Sakura used the Shosen Jutsu and slowly healed Naruto's wound.
"Where's the beast?" Shikamaru asked.
"It followed the girl" Sakura answered.
"And you left her?" Shikamaru sneered.
"S-sorry" Sakura silently replied.
"Well then, I'd better get her" Shikamaru sighed and went off.
Kai's ankle started to hurt again; she had to stop a couple of miles to take a rest. And whenever she sensed Anubis closing in on her she limped as fast as she can away from the vicious beast.
She'll take time to look back to see if the girl still followed her. (She left me…So did the old man) Enraged Kai punched a nearby tree and hurt her hand. "Oww" Kai sucked her swollen hand in her mouth to ease the pain. (Maybe I shouldn't have left) She thought, but she remembered the pain Noboro gave her for the past five years. She tried to please him several times, but he never gave her a chance. One slip up and she'd get a good beating. (No, this is for the best)
"Hello Kai" Anubis let out a breath near Kai's ear.
Kai was frightened and didn't want to turn around.
"Hmmm a stubborn piece of shit you turned out to be" Anubis chuckled. Anubis faced Kai and flashed his sharp fangs. "You know you were master's favourite, well of course I was there first" He pointed out. He then swung his paw as an attempt to hit Kai, she evaded his attack and instead of hitting her, the beast broke a tree in half. "If you hadn't showed up master could've used me more" He growled.
Kai tried to run, but her ankle was still sore. She could only run for a few seconds and eventually has to stop and rest; she hid behind a tree and caught her breath (I'VE GOTTA GET OUTTA HERE) she repeatedly thought.
But Anubis quickly caught her scent and sliced the tree in half. "Found you" He sneered. He charged at her and attempted to bite her leg, but Kai quickly grabbed her kunai and pierced Anubis's eye. Anubis yelped in pain, he tried to shake the kunai off his eye, but it won't budge.
This was Kai's chance to escape, but Anubis sensed her next move and pounced on her. "I won't let you get away again you bitch" He sneered.
"Let me go" Kai begged.
"I don't think so little girl" Anubis licked Kai's cheek, the child cried in pain when she felt the acid melt her face. "Hahaha, cry as much as you want little girl no one is going to help you"
"I don't think so" Shikamaru pointed out. He charged at Anubis and sliced his side with his trench knife.
The beast howled in pain.
"Hey kid, you still alive?" Shikamaru chuckled.
Kai slowly raised herself up and looked at Shikamaru.
Shikamaru looked at her scarred face and sneered at the beast. "Why would you do such a thing to a helpless little girl?"
"Helpless?" The beast started chuckling. "She's not helpless she's –"
"SHUT UP" Kai screamed, she attempted to stand up but felt a severe pain in her chest hindered her to do so.
"Hey kid you okay?"
Kai held her chest and gasped for air. "I'm fine…Don't worry about –" Kai started coughing blood.
(She's in her limit, now's my chance) Anubis sprinted towards Kai. "I've got you now"
"Are you sure?" Shikamaru sneered.
Anubis couldn't move. "What did you do boy?"
"Look at your shadow"
Anubis was shocked to see that Shikamaru used a jutsu on him.
"I did it while you were blabbering away, Kage Kubi Shibari no Jutsu"
Anubis suddenly couldn't breathe; he frantically searched for the source of the suffocation and eventually lost his energy. "Damn you" He silently said.
"Humph that's what you get for hurting helpless little girls" Shikamaru raised his weapon and sliced Anubis's head off.
The beast's severed head rolled in front of Kai, its decapitated body fell to the ground and blood flowed out of its severed neck.
"Tch, you weren't that tough" He boasted. (Wait the kid) Shikamaru tended to the weakened little girl. "Kid let me –"
Kai flicked his hand. "I can do it" Kai slowly stood up and wobbled.
Shikamaru caught her just on time. "Don't worry I got you"
"I told you I can take care of myself" She scoffed.
"I don't think so kiddo, you look kinda…"
"Kinda, what?" She sneered.
"Oh nothing" (Man this kid is stubborn)
Kai got off Shikamaru's hold and opened her pouch, she took out her 'medicine and chugged it down. "Damn it, I finished one" She exclaimed.
"Hey, is it right for little girls to swear?" Shikamaru asked.
"I'm not a little girl" Kai screamed.
Shikamaru patted her head. "Well you look kinda short to be an adult kiddo" Shikamaru joked.
Kai started crying. "Not you too
"
"Hey, hey wait it was just a joke, just a joke" He lulled.
Kai wiped her eyes. "You're mean, just like the old man"
"Old man, hey wait a minute I'm not –" Shikamaru held the child's face.
"Hey what are you doing?"
Shikamaru studied the child's face and was puzzled. "Didn't you have wound there a while ago?"
Kai pushed his hands away. "Yeah, so?"
Shikamaru grabbed the empty bottle and studied it. "What's in this thing anyway?"
"I…I don't know" Kai silently answered.
"Well if this helped you heal that wound, that means you can take off those silly bandages right?" Shikamaru pointed out.
Kai hugged her body. "N-no you can't"
"Why not?"
"You just CAN'T…Okay?" Kai pleaded. "These wounds are permanent"
"Okay" (Geez making her cooperate will be harder than I thought) Shikamaru looked at the child and smiled. "So…What's you name?"
Kai didn't answer.
"Okay then, I'll start. I'm Shikamaru, and you are?"
"K…Kai. I'm Kai"
"See, was that hard?"
Kai slowly shook her head.
"C'mon, let's head back to camp. I'm sure they're worried about you"
"M…Me?" Kai asked.
"Yeah you" Shikamaru lightly punched her head. "That thing chased you and got most of us worried"
Kai started to cry.
"H-hey that didn't hurt…Did it?"
"No it's just, no one has ever been worried about me" She said.
"No one, what about your parents? I'm sure they're worried about you." Shikamaru pointed out.
"P…Parents?"
"Yeah you know; Mama and Papa" Shikamaru explained.
Kai was puzzled at Shikamaru's remark.
Shikamaru scratched his head. "Okay this is going to be hard"
"*Achoo*"
Shikamaru looked at Kai and giggled.
"What seems to be…*Achoo*"
Shikamaru unzipped his flack jacket and wrapped it around Kai. "There this'll keep you warm"
"T…Thank you"
Shikamaru bent down in front of Kai. "Hop on my back"
"What?"
"C'mon hop on my back, I can see that you're tired" Shikamaru pointed out.
At first Kai hesitated, but since she sensed she can trust this stranger she hopped on his back.
"Okay, you ready?" Shikamaru smiled at her.
Kai nodded.
(At least she's willing to cooperate now) Shikamaru happily thought and started walking.
(I can see you won't be needing my help) The angel snickered.
"Where have you been old man?" Kai whispered.
"Excuse me?" Shikamaru exclaimed.
"Ah, no, no it's nothing"
Shikamaru was puzzled. (What's up with this kid?)
"What happened to you, old man?" Kai whispered to herself.
(Well I sensed that you weren't in trouble, so I took a little breather) He explained.
"A little breather my ass" Kai screamed.
Shikamaru stopped walking and looked at the child. "Okay what's up with you?"
Kai didn't know what to say. "Uhmmmm"
"It seems like you've got big issues?" Shikamaru pointed out. "And to tell you the truth, when you start talking to yourself it feels…"
"Weird? I know what you mean" Kai pouted.
"Who are you talking to when you do that?"
"The person I'm talking to?" Kai stopped and thought.
(Don't tell him, he might think your crazy) He pleaded.
Kai started giggling. "Too late old man, I've already lost my mind listening to you"
(Hahaha good point)
Shikamaru was left out again by Kai and her imaginary friend. (Me and my big mouth) "It's okay Kai you don't need to answer, let's just keep going" He suggested.
"Oh…Okay" Kai tightened her arms around Shikamaru's shoulders and laid her head on his back.
After a few minutes of walking…
"Finally she's asleep" (I'll lose my mind if she starts talking to her 'friend' again)
"Shikamaru" Sakura hollered. "I thought something bad happened to you"
"Thanks for worrying Sakura"
"Hey Shikamaru, where's the kid?" Naruto asked.
"Oh she's fine, she's asleep for now" Shikamaru answered.
"You brought her here?" Naruto exclaimed.
"Well of course, I can't leave a child in a situation like this" Shikamaru answered.
"What if another creature decides to drop by and kill –"
Kai slowly opened her eyes and yawned. "Are we there yet?"
"We're already here" Shikamaru pointed out.
"Can I get off now?" Kai asked.
"Sure Kai" Shikamaru helped he child get down from his back.
"So you're name is Kai, by the way I'm Sakura" She gestured.
Kai looked at Shikamaru. "Don't worry Kai you can trust her" He assured.
Kai smiled at Skaura. "Sa-ku-ra"
"There you got it" Sakura smiled. "And that one over there is Naruto"
Naruto stood up and greeted the child "Yo, what's up little girl"
"I'm not a little" She pouted.
"You sure, coz it seems to me your height is pretty short for your age" Naruto teased.
"How would you know?" Kai cried.
"Don't listen to him Kai, he's a pain in the ass" Sakura pointed out.
"Hey, who you calling a pain" Naruto roared.
"Both of you shut up" Shikamaru screamed.
The two stopped bickering and crossed their arms.
(Men) She thought
(Women) He thought. "So what are going to do with Kai" Naruto asked.
"Simple" Shikamaru looked at the child. "Kai, let's bring you back home"
Kai's eyes widened when she heard this. "N..no"
Shikamaru was shocked at Kai's remark. "What?"
"Don't send me back there, please don't" She pleaded.
"Why are you so scared, don't you want to see your parents?" Sakura asked.
"P-parents?"
"Yeah you know; your mama and papa" Naruto pointed out.
Kai was confused.
"You know; the very people who raised you, took care of you and loved you" Sakura exclaimed.
Kai scoffed at Sakura's remark. "I think I don't have any" She sighed.
"I…I'm sorry" Sakura apologized. (Poor dear, she's orphaned)
"Okay then let's change the subject, where did you come from?" Shikamaru asked.
"And why was that thing chasing you anyway?" Naruto added.
Kai didn't want to tell the truth, she wanted to forget her painful past. "I… don't know" She lied.
"Great she got lost, now what do we do?" Shikamaru sighed.
"Maybe Master Tsunade can help her" Sakura looked at the child's eye patch. "Kai's severely wounded, she must be treated quickly" Sakura suggested.
"You got a point there" Shikamaru commended.
"Well then let's get going" Naruto stretched his arms. "The earlier we get back the faster we can help her, right?" Naruto exclaimed
.
"So much for resting" Sakura joked.
Shikamaru bent in front of Kai. "C'mon Kai, hop on"
Kai got up on Shikamaru's back.
Shikamaru stood up with the child riding at his back. "Okay guys we're ready"
"Where are we going?" Kai asked.
"We're going back to Konoha" Shikamaru explained.
"Ko-no-ha?" Kai sighed.
To be continued….
End of Chapter 7
Hope you liked this chapter, coz she gets to go back home! Next chapter will be entitled…I haven't thought of one so please wait ehe…
If you are confused with some of my jutsu's please check Narutopedia in the internet and I used some Japanese words so looking it up in English to Japanese or vice versa won't be bad.
Tell me your thoughts about this chapter and the previous chapter…I really wanna know! ~Ciao