Insanity rise: Well now, finally the action of this story is getting back into gear! Hiya readers! This chapter may seem a bit dull, but the next part of this story should quite hopefully make it a good bit more exciting…but I'm not saying anything! Be patient! Anyway, thanks you guys sooo much I almost have 1000 reads! Just a few more to go! Oh, and sorry if it seems like I focus around Dosu 24/7! I am trying to work on that…but he is my fav! Anyway, thanks for reading, please review and tell me what you think! Thanks a bunch!
Chapter 25

A Trip to Town

"Sweetie," Mrs. Kinuta smiled warmly as she entered Dosu's room, her voice as cheerful as she could manage. Usually bright rays of sunshine would stream through the window, but the chilling cold outside penetrated all chances of the sun's peeking through. A heavy blanket of snow had been falling since the darkest hours of the night, a thick covering of frost covering the windowpane. Mrs. Kinuta shivered, the cold floor stinging her bare feet as she stepped over it tentatively. Regularly she enjoyed the cold of winter, but right now, all it did was make her heart feel even sadder. She felt as if she'd rather see warm sunshine than feel this aching cold, and that really was odd for her.

"Dosu," she asked softly as she reached his bedside, "are you awake sweetie?"

She received no reply, but somehow she already knew the answer. Dosu had been completely exhausted after yesterday, so much that he hadn't said a word to her since the past morning. It worried his mother greatly, the way he slept so silently. She knew he was alive, she could see that by just looking at him, but to what extent would this continue? Right now, her son was literally weaker than a dying animal, and it scared her to think every visit in this room could be the last one she made to him while he was still alive. Nevertheless, she didn't know what else she could do; Dosu wouldn't even acknowledge her entering the room, not even uttering a weak smile. She bit her lip as she looked him over, sighing when she realized how strained his breathing was. She hadn't noticed yesterday, she'd been too happy of his pulling through, but it was hard not to see now. Dosu's breathing was definitely irregular, he sounded like he almost ended up choking consistently as he tried to take a breath. Sighing, she put a hand on his forehead, drawing back as she did so.

"Oh Dosu," she shook her head, "you're burning up."

"M-mom," Dosu rasped suddenly, his only eye opened slightly, completely blood shot.

"It's alright sweetie," Mrs. Kinuta smiled weakly, "just rest."

Dosu didn't reply, and when his mother eyed him closely, she realized his only eye was closed again. She sighed when she realized she was truthfully alone again, a looming silence settling over the house. She could hope Dosu would get well again soon, or at least strong enough to where she could leave him alone, but she wasn't chancing that now. She didn't care if her boss fired her or not for all the work time she was missing, all she knew was that as long as her son was in this sickly condition, she was staying with him. She wouldn't make the mistake of not being there if he needed her, she was as determined as any mother would be not to be bereaved of the person she'd come so close to losing. Yet even as she stood there, she knew something was wrong, wincing when he began to cough violently, hoping there was nothing wrong with him. Sighing, she quietly slipped from the room, closing the door as softly as she possibly could. With another deep sigh, she headed down the hallway to the kitchen to see if she could find something for breakfast. She shook her head when she searched through the cabinets, realizing they were basically out of food, which wasn't at all good news on her part. She would have to go to town with what little money they had left and get some food to at least last them until she had time to get a few more work hours in.

Then Dosu returned to her mind, giving her an uneasy feeling, could she really leave him alone for that long? She had no wish to chance coming home to find him actually dead, which would break her down worse than anything else would. Nevertheless, what choice did she have, if she stayed they would end up starving, not to mention with how the weather was outside, it would surely be a real blizzard before she got another chance to get to town. Sighing, she quickly pulled on her heavy winter coat and shoes, telling herself she would only be gone for no more than a few hours, hoping Dosu would be fine until she got back. She debated on whether she should wake him and inform him of her leaving, but decided against it. He'd had a rough enough time as it was, he needed rest and after all, she'd be back before anything happened she was sure. Slapping a fluffy winter hat onto her head and a pair of mittens on her hands, she gathered the last of their money in a bag and hurried out the door, taking a quick glance back, telling herself things would be fine…

The cold wind and snow tore at Dosu's mother as she stumbled down the road, a thick blanket of white reaching just above her ankles. Yet she was determined to quickly finish her business in town, still dreading leaving her son alone. She clung tightly to her bag, knowing if the wind were to take it, they would be out of both food and the only way they could get it. Trudging onward, she smiled with relief when she finally reached the entrance to the Sound Village, realizing it would be easier to trek inside. The buildings in the village acted as s sort of barrier to the winds, most of the snow on the main street having been cleared. Mrs. Kinuta sighed and looked about, straightening her hat and striding onto the street. The street was scattered with a passerby here and there, but the cold weather kept most villagers inside. Yet the sight of it was somehow pleasant to Mrs. Kinuta, the calming feeling of it all enlightening her and bringing up her spirits. Nevertheless, it was at these peaceful moments when the overcoming calm was shattered.

"Hey lady," she winced as a gruff voice called to her. She looked over to see two dark figures leaning against the wall of an alley nearby, unable to make out their features due to the darkness. She knew she should just turn around and walk away, but something kept her back. Whether it was fear or curiosity, she found herself frozen to the spot.

"Ello little missy," the taller of the men spat, "whatcha' got in the bag?"

"None of your business," Dosu's mother snapped, her eyes blazing with a sense of self-defense, but a slight glint of fear rung true.

"Oh really," the other man smirked, stepping out into the street, "I think I could change that."

Mrs. Kinuta jumped slightly as the man cracked his knuckles, realizing he was more than ready to strike her, obviously too overcome with his own greed to care if he ended up hitting a girl. Mrs. Kinuta was nothing but a helpless passerby, a victim to these mens' anger as she stood frozen in the street.

"Come on ma'm ," the other man scowled as they slowly approached her, almost laughing at the way she drew back, "just hand over the bag and no one gets hurt."

"I said leave me alone," Dosu's mother said defiantly, but her voice was shaky with fear.

"I don't think you get the seriousness of this situation," the man threw his partner a dirty grin, "you see we could beat you to death if we wanted and it wouldn't mean a lick of trouble to us."

"So if you want to see tomorrow-"

"Back off," Mrs. Kinuta took a panicky step back, knowing if she didn't do something fast, she would be doomed.

"Sorry you see it that way," the men chuckled cruelly, their eyes glowing with a malicious humor.

"Time to say goodbye," the taller of the men smirked, raising his fist as though he would strike, laughing cruelly while Mrs. Kinuta cowered before him. She wasn't usually one to let her guard down like this, but she'd already been scarred from what had happened earlier, losing hold of her usual defiant tone. Now all she could do was await the blows, feeling her knees shake, closing her eyes as a feeling of dread swept over her. However, that awaited pain never reached her.

"Leave her alone!" She looked up as she heard someone call out. Suddenly, a shuriken smacked into one of the men's back, causing him to squeal with pain and whirl around to confront their new enemies, expecting some one even more dark and sinister than himself, but all he saw was two kids. He couldn't help but laugh as he tore the throwing star from his back, completely ignoring the slight trickle of blood as he faced the smaller opponents. Mrs. Kinuta recognized her sudden rescuers, a slight smile creeping over her face.

"Mrs. Kinuta," Kin called as she stood beside Zaku, taking a handful of shuriken from her pocket and hurling it at the gruff assailants.

"Why you little brat," the taller man growled, lunging at Kin and Zaku with a clenched fist. Yet Kin was too fast for him, quickly sending three kunai straight at him. He cried out at the knives slammed into his shoulder, wincing with pain and stopping dead in his tracks. His partner growled and abandoned Mrs. Kinuta, rushing at the two ninja. Kin dodged out of the way as he threw a punch at her face, Zaku acting quickly and kicking him in the knees. However, the man would not be struck down so easily, with a harsh cry he lashed out and slammed his fist into Zaku's face before he could dodge or strike again. Zaku winced with pain and stumbled back, but Kin was there to back him up. She quickly took a kunai knife and slammed it into the man's back, causing him to cry out as the snow was stained in crimson. Zaku smirked slightly, realizing how easily they overpowered these common thugs.

"Get out of here," Zaku growled, "or we'll kill ya!"

The men didn't need to be told twice, with looks of fear on their perplexed faces; they ran off down the street, still unable to believe they'd been beaten so easily by mere "kids." Zaku wiped the trickle of blood from his lips on his shirtsleeve, looking over to Kin with a slight smile. Kin shrugged off the look of congratulations and hurried over to Mrs. Kinuta, hoping she was all right. The woman seemed rather shaky but she did her best to calm herself as Kin reached her.

"Are you alright Mrs. Kinuta," Kin asked, her voice full of concern.

"Just a little shaken," Dosu's mother managed a weak smile, "thank you very much, if you hadn't come when you did..."

"Anytime," Zaku grimaced.

"Where are you two headed in this weather," Mrs. Kinuta asked, straightening her hat once again.

Kin shrugged, "no where really."

"Well," Dosu's mother appeared almost thoughtful for a moment," how would you two like to help me finish up here."

"Sure," Kin nodded, Zaku only shrugged…

And now a quick word from the characters (hey, they deserve a say don't they?)

Kin: YAY! That chapter made me feel like a real hero!

Mrs. Kinuta: boring! Why would you let me get so close to being pounded!

Insanity rise: I am the author you know, I have to keep a story interesting!

Mrs. Kinuta: oh! then let me beat up that Yakushi kid! please?

Insanity rise: I'm not answering that.

Mrs. Kinuta: hmph!

Kin: alright, keep reading and reviewing everybody!We do so love your support!