Chapter 24: Spreading Wings

Little Falcon:My self-imposed holiday is now officially over so here I am with a fresh update. Just like always: read and review okay?

Standard Disclaimer: I only own that idea that's all. If I did own this series I'll be the happiest person on earth.

The second hand's final tick echoed in their ears. Their eyes shook but never blinked. Three empty syringes lie on the cold floor. No one moved. No one dared.

Their eyes looking for movement. Their ears searching for heart beat other than their own. Mercilessly, the watch on her hand began to tick again, not waiting for anything. As if proclaiming that time would not stop for anyone… not even for these women who risked their all so that a lot of people would still have the luxury of spending it. Just like her eyes got tired of looking at its moving hand, her hand lost the energy to even keep her fingers from letting go of it.

It came crashing on the floor: the small watch that held their minute… the dreadful realization of their worst fear. As the pieces scattered below, each sound resounded throughout the four windowless walls.

Her emerald eyes were to first to squeeze shut followed by her painful intake of breath. The lady hokage leaned weakly against her husband who supported her without a word.

His translucent grey eyes mirrored her unmoving body. His shaking hands reached for her cold fingers. He cursed every beating in his chest because it was not what he wanted to hear right now… now that she has none.

Suddenly his body weighed more than he can handle. Unable to even react, his knees and hands caught reflectively caught his fall. His tight ponytail snapped, releasing his spiky hair. "Usou…(no way)…" his vision grew blurry because of the moisture building in his unbelieving eyes. For one who wishes time to pass quickly, it was the first time he ever wish for it to stop and go back.

His lips opened and closed, unable to even utter a syllable. His body trembled uncontrollably as his head turned from her pale face to the empty syringe nearby. "I…I don't understand… I gave her the…" it was only until later that he realized that it was his voice, stuttering and mumbling, barely audible to anyone but him and her.

Her tears were the first to fall… followed by the others'. Without a sound they escaped from their eyes and trickled down their face ceaselessly. Reality lay in front of them: They failed.

Approximately a minute ago…

"Listen very carefully: You three are the only ones allowed to enter the time-bound without being affected by it. My chakra is still unstable, Hokage-sama and Jiraiya-sama can't because they'll be the one dispelling the time-bound," everyone listened to her every word. Their palms sweaty. Their breaths short and quick. Their hearts beating crazily. "I'll hold the clock that's the only thing I can do. I know I don't have to beg…" with difficulty, the medic nin swallowed, making the others know that she, god of war or whatever, is still just a girl who fears for the life of her friends. Her eyes took a moment to each meet their gazes before "…Please bring them back," her voice was almost a whisper but they heard her clearly. In response, the three nodded their head and took their positions.

"We need to do this quickly… even if we are a second too late. You know what happens," she emphasized her point with the dangerous glint in her eyes. With a flick of her thumb, she opened the pocket watch, waiting.

"Are you guys ready?" Sakura's voice trembled as she watched them stand next to their special person while Tsunade and Jiraiya prepared to tear down the paper seal. The two lost their ability to speak and just nodded.

"Yeah," hearing that their voice held the confidence she wanted to hear, Sakura took a deep breath. Five…four…three…two…one…

"Remove the time-bound!" her voice resounded throughout the room.

Their chakra-covered hands took hold and pulled the seal at the same time then made proceeded to making the series of complicated hand seals to complete the dispelling.

Their hand felt so heavy even though what it carried was just something that can be held in between their fingers. Thirty seconds have passed. They held their impatience and waited for her signal.

As the final hand seal was made, "NOW!!!" her head snapped back to look at the three. Together with her signal was the three kunoichi's blood curdling wail of pain. Just by hearing it made them feel almost physical pain and paralyzed them on the spot. Their body convulsed and their limbs flailed like putting out an unseen fire on their skin.

"WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING?! INJECT THE MEDICATION NOW!!!" Sakura yelled impatiently, being the first to recover. She stomped her foot on the floor so hard it made a small crater.

Just when the needle was about to penetrate their skin. The three kunoichis began to get up and battle them aimlessly, like mindless zombies flinging their blades.

Ten seconds left. "DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE! SAVE THEM!!!" She almost crossed the still active time-bound barrier as she tried to jump in to help.

Their syringes dropped on the floor while they tried to hold off their attacks.

"Mendokusai!!! (Troublesome)" The shadow user pushed the mind walker with all his strength, making her back land flatly against the wall. Neji and Kiba did almost the same Shikamaru then used his shadow manipulation to keep the girls from attacking while the dog lover retrieved their syringes. The Hyuuga protégé threw Shikamaru his.

"INJECT IT NOW!!!" One… her emerald eyes watched as the three syringes slowly self-emptied its contents.

End of minute…

A faint beat… her eyes shot open as she caught another beat. The others also heard the next… they froze and stiffly turned their gazes at the three still motionless bodies. Badump…badump…

With each next beat, it grew stronger. A twitch of a finger. The stirring of their eyes. The rising and falling of their chests. Everything happened almost way too fast but no one was complaining.

"Ino…" Shikamaru almost stumbled and tripped just to see her face finally regaining its natural color.

"Tenten," Neji immediately brought her hand to his cheek. Her warmth finally returning.

"Hinata," Kiba grinned widely flashing his prominent canine as her eyelids began to finally open.

Her body almost feel weightless as she almost fainted. Tsunade started with a forced laugh then natural laughter followed and almost never ended. Jiraiya also chuckled then looked at the Sakura's retreating form.

"Where's…" After all the excitement, the Hyuuga protégé was the first to notice her gone.

"Ino, Hinata and Tenten will be alright after a long uninterrupted rest," the lady hokage stepped forward, with the time-bound barrier finally dissolved.

"She marched out and locked herself in the strategy room," the frog hermit pointed his thumb upstairs with a wink.

"They actually made the falcon bare its talons?" the mind walker's incredulous tone was like music to his ears. She turned her sapphire orbs to the shadow master.

"I feel sorry for them already," her humble voice made his canine grin grew before he drowned her with his kisses.

"Looks like we're not allowed to lie around too long," her light chuckle was cut instantly with his tight embrace and intrusive tongue.

*****

His jade eyes narrowed dangerously as the hidden leaf village was in sight. An army of several hundred at his back. The message she sent clutched close to his chest as his sand carried him closer to his destination.

*****

Her worn-out brush lay quietly on the messy desk as she stood up and looked out the window. "Time to fly…" her hand finally opened the door that was closed for days.

Little Falcon: read and review please…