Ah, here we go. Definitely more intense as it goes, eh?
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Chapter 9 - Risk
Keiko-Mei knew that the neckerchief she had used to cover her mouth and nose wouldn't help her much to keep warm once she dove into that raging, deep river. Not at all. The only reason she had pulled it up was to feel more secure. Security was what she needed.
To feel safe so that I won't be afraid. So that I can save those children. Me being a coward now won't suffice. Lives are in danger, not just Sakura's and Sasuke, either. My own.
She looked down at her bandaged hands and soon formed fists.
For the genin. It would be a shame to let a simple fever be the end of them. 'Sides, then I'd be bored.
The dark haired jonin then took a deep breath through her makeshift mask, fastened the waterproof satchel around her waist, soon looking down at the water.
"No time to back down now. Now's not the time to be a coward." And soon, she felt the cocoon of freezing water surround her.
Her long hair going in the direction of the current, which she tried so desperately with all her strength to fight as she studied the river bottom, searching for the plant she needed. Her skin was already numb from the cold of the water, but she ignored it.
Still, it's so strange. Those fevers came on so suddenly. Sasuke was first, because he was more concealed in the water than Sakura. But, then again, when I tried to jump from my rock, I landed in the water myself. I'm not sick. Well, not yet. Maybe it's just a coincidence. For the time being, that's what I'll treat it as.
She kicked her feet harder, pushing and forcing her body to go against the strong current of the river. Her studious amethyst eyes scanning the sandy bottom, soon locking on the exact thing she needed.
There! River Weed!
To anyone, that slimy, green, lifelike looking plant would have looked like a disgusting worm no one in their right mind would touch. But, to Keiko-Mei's trained eyes, she knew different. She saw exactly how lifesaving the plant truly was.
She grabbed a fistful of the plant, smirking to herself as she stuffed it in her satchel. Then, her eyes caught sight of something else. Something shiny. Or metallic.
Huh? What is that?
The jonin reached out and grasped the item firmly in her bandaged palm before forcing herself to the surface of the water. Her black-green bangs clung to her pale face as she then forced herself to the shoreline, finding herself further upstream than she intended.
"W- wow. S- stronger than I look." Keiko-Mei heaved herself up onto land before stumbling and forcing herself to her feet.
Then, she remembered the item in her hand and blinked before unfolding her hand, rather forcefully. The cold iciness of the river seemed to have cramped up her muscles. However, once she managed to open up her hand, her eyes widened.
Purple liquid? Purple- that's associated with Ninja Wolfsbane. A poisonous flower, though not deadly in small amounts, when ingested it makes the victim extremely ill by attacking their nervous system which creates-
"- f- fevers." Her eyes immediately narrowed.
Someone's attempting to kill us. Or, at least the genin. But, is this for that petty scroll? I guess then, it's not so petty. I knew something was important about that thing. Two jonin-
Keiko-Mei immediately turned and began to walk swiftly towards the campsite. At the moment, her dry clothes, weapons, jonin vest, they didn't matter. It was much more important to tell Kakashi. Especially since those genin were his students.
Good news is, though, I now know exactly how to get the poison out of their system. The River Weed should be of use for later, however.
She picked up speed, soon stumbling due to her stiff muscles. But, she still managed to keep her balance as she forced herself onwards, becoming rather aware that she was being followed. She could sense the sudden rise in chakra from an unknown being and she could hear the breathing. So strong, so calm, so steady.
Whoever this is, is alone and unafraid. Interesting. Well, looks like I better act as if I don't notice them. But, I better keep my focus on the chakra source. Just in case I need to show them just exactly how afraid they should be.
--
Kakashi raised his head as he heard a rather loud crack coming from the forest. He recognized the chakra to be Keiko-Mei's, but just in case, he pulled out a kunai and stood up, prepared to fight.
Can never be too careful. Besides, Keiko-Mei isn't that careless as to let her area be known.
However, soon a wet form was visible, indicating that it was indeed Keiko-Mei. Kakashi's eye widened as she leaned against a tree, her chest heaving as she tried to get oxygen.
He was reluctant, but as soon as she raised her head and he saw the paleness in her cheeks, he was by her side.
"Keiko-Mei, what happened?" She tried to move, but winced from the stiffness in her bones and muscles.
"J- just the p- perks of g- going diving f- for River Weed." Her legs soon gave out on her and she collapsed.
Kakashi reached out and caught her, feeling exactly how cold and wet the woman was.
Diving? River Weed? Keiko-
"K- K- Kakashi, g- go back to the r- river. G- get my things. It- it's i- important. C- clothes and everything." His eye widened before he nodded.
"Right." He gently released her and took off towards the river, making sure to pay attention carefully to his surroundings.
Keiko-Mei. What did you see? What did you sense?What did you hear? It's an unusual request, your clothing and belongings. You wouldn't have left them behind unless you were in an unbelievable hurry to get to me. Even with Sasuke and Sakura's condition getting worse.
He quickly reached the edge of the river and scoped his surroundings carefully. Something was off.
She must sense it as well. Something is definitely wrong.
Kakashi grabbed the other jonin's belongings and then shot off back towards where he left his students and the freezing woman.
--
Keiko-Mei grunted as she forced her body towards the fire and towards the unconscious genin. She then allowed her fingers to rest on the foreheads of both Sasuke and Sakura, letting out a satisfied sigh when she knew that their fevers hadn't risen much since her departure.
"S- soon y- you'll be alright. E- even if it k- kills me." A breeze and she glanced up towards Kakashi, a relieved, weak smile touching her pale visage.
"G- good. K- Kakashi, it seems that it's a good thing I went diving. A- apart from the River Weed, I discovered something else." Her smile faded and her face became emotionless once again.
Kakashi placed down her belongings and Keiko-Mei opened up her palm to show the bottle of purple poison.
"N- Ninja Wolfsbane." She murmured quietly.
Kakashi's eye widened.
"The bottle's almost empty." She nodded, water droplets dripping from her wet bangs.
His eye flickered between his students.
That means-
"Their fall into the river, Sasuke and Sakura's illness, both scenarios are no accident." He spoke quietly, just enough for weak and cold Keiko-Mei to hear.
She nodded again and then covered her mouth to cough.
"R- River Weed w- will be useless. H- however, I- I just so happen to carry an an- antidote." The female jonin reached over and dug into her leather satchel, pulling out a rose colored liquid.
Her body involuntarily shivered and she dropped the bottle. Kakashi reached out and caught it in his fingertips, immediately handing it back to Keiko-Mei.
"You know what dosage to give them, even if you are a little shaky." She kept silence and used what remained of her energy to tilt back the heads of the Uchiha and the pink haired Sakura, making sure that no more than five droplets entered their throats.
Then, her muscles cramped up and she grunted in pain.
"Keiko."
"I- I'm fine. My body is just reacting rather painfully to the cold." She heard the rustling of leaves and that strong, relaxed breathing once again.
Her eyes searched the trees, soon spotting a silver pair of eyes. Kakashi heard the sounds as well and glanced back to see the eyes disappear. He glanced to Keiko-Mei, who's bandaged fists were clenched and her eyes working to find the eyes again.
So, I did see something.
The Copy Ninja stood up.
"Stay here. I'll-" Before he could finish, she was up as well, a kunai in her hand.
"Why? So you can have all the fun? Nice try. 'Sides, no pain, no gain, right?" He was rather shocked by her response, but he soon smirked.
"Wouldn't dare on taking away the fun, Keiko-Mei. Only problem is, you're frozen."
"No pain, no gain, Kakashi. Besides, I'm bored and this is going to be interesting." Then, before he could blink, she was gone and he heard the groans coming from Sasuke and Sakura.
Another smirk passed his lips, which disappeared when he heard the clashing of metal.
Keiko-Mei!
He glanced towards the genin, just as Sasuke opened his eyes and sat up.
"What happened?" Of course that was the first thing he would say.
"Sasuke. Watch Naruto and Sakura. I've got something to deal with." Then, before the Uchiha could reply, his sensei had disappeared.