CHAPTER 9: Impossible Escape

I scanned around to look for a safe place to run to. Finally, I found one, a deep ravine not too far from where we were. It seemed good enough to hide the Daimyou and Rin. I clutched the Daimyou's left hand tightly and quickly led them away from Fukari's deadly aim. Even at a distance, I could feel Fukari's eyes on us as we run to escape. I heard Shisui-taichou's voice calling out to the enemy and generously giving us even a fraction of a second to escape.

"Oie bitch! Your fight is with Itachi and I! Stop wasting time and come get us!"

To make sure Taichou got Fukari's attention, he hurled a kunai at her but she was able to block it with her katana.

"Tch. You shinobis bore me out. Just wait asshole, and I'll deal with the both of you later. Right now, I've got the urge to do something I've always wanted to do for a very long time… Kill my Oto-san! Hahahahaha!!!"

Meanwhile as we reached the cliff, Rin shrilled at the top of his voice. We paused for a moment.

"Akai nee-chan! This is a cliff! Please don't make me jump down there!"

Rin was right; the cliff was deep--- for a child his age who has never pondered upon dangerous situations such as this one. The ground below the ravine was not too deep and not too shallow, perfect for shielding them until the battle was over. The rain created puddles of mud beneath the gorge.

Suddenly, I heard Taichou's commanding voice utter my name out loud in a furious tone. I turned around abruptly and my eyes were filled with horror. The subsequent scenes would forever be sealed within my memories.

With ease, Fukari lifted her katana and swiftly guided the wind around her and the element obeyed with no hesitations. With the razor-edged ferocity of her weapon, she hurled three simultaneous blows of sharp wind-infused blades towards us.

"D-I-E!!!"

"Shit!"

Without reluctance, I shoved the Daimyou and his son into the mud-filled ravine and heard the inaudible shriek that emerged from their throats. I saw them tumble down roughly to safety. But it wasn't over yet, I knew that very well.

In a brief moment, I turned my back and prepared myself for the deep, painful feeling I was about to experience as Fukari's wind-bladed attacks continued to discharge towards to where I stood. I struggled to command my legs to move so I can avoid getting hit. But instead, I just stood there, staring and shaking with fear filling every inch of my body. I guessed I was doomed to this kind of fate.

Yet, strange as it was, as my possible death crept closer and closer, time seemed to glide slowly. With that assertion, I closed my eyes and my mind enumerated the things, the places and the people I would never be permitted to see ever again. My room, the Uchiha clan's compound, Konoha, Naya-chan, Oba-san and Oji-san, Okami-sensei, Shisui-taichou, Suiko-kun and…. Itachi… I felt the strong impulse to let go of all of it right here, right now. I crafted a weak smile on my lips and a warm tear forced itself out of the corner of my right eye.

Sayonara… I'm prepared now… Well, at least I think I am… Hehe…. Ready to finally leave this world with the happiness and relief of having my dream fulfilled: the dream to be a strong kunoichi and iryouninja (medic-nin)… Accomplished…

Heh…. Wait. Was I really able to carry them out? Whatever….

What a pathetic way to end one's life. Pity me, so die already, Akai…. Tch…. I gave out a heavy breath and voluntarily released myself from everything and everyone...

.....But somehow, someone pulled me back to this life….