Damn it! Suigetsu seethed in pain on the floor, inflected with bruises, defeated. His sword laid a foot away out of his reach.

Just a few inches from it, defeated and in pain, Ino unconscious. Facedown on the floor, she was, for a moment, still. Slowly she began moving, her eyes heavy opened, and quickly surveyed herself, assessing what was injured. But her mind was angered by the loss of Hikari. The girl was gone out of their grasp; they were swiftly attacked, no assaulted, by what seemed like a blur and swiped the girl...they just took her and fled.

Suigetsu cursed himself over and over again for failing. He had a simple job, a simple task to get Hikari out of here and to safety. Then he'd go back for you and...

Damnit! He seethed, slamming a fist on the floor. Ignored the spike of pain from it; it was nothing compared to what he believed you'd be in when...when you'd find out that your daughter was...she was...

He had to get up; he couldn't let that happen. That look in your eyes…he could see it…he had seen it…many years ago. It could cause anyone's heart to shreds. He couldn't… bear that….he…

He had to move, mustering up all the strength he had stockpiled it and forced this newfound energy through him to all his limbs. His mind screamed at them to move! To stop being lazy and move! For your sake! The tip of his finger twitched slightly…it wasn't enough. He needed more. Forcing will into it, he felt it barely bend before his body flattens, and he couldn't go on anymore.

NO!

NO!

It wasn't going to end like this; he had…had to…he-

Wait? What was that feeling? It was warming and healing. For a moment, he thought it was you. The touch wasn't as gentle and kind, but it was caring. For a moment, he found himself years younger with you, after the bomb went off in the Sungakure meant for you, awake and healing him. You were injured, but he awoke himself from your touch, healing him. Worrying about him instead of yourself…he had orders to kill you right then and there. All he had to do was just….but when your golden eyes meet his…..

"Hey! Hey," Ino called, breaking his memory. Asking for the tenth time about his condition.

Blinking a few times, he, surprisingly, finds her hunched, over, doing her best to apply medical ninjutsu. Her hands trembled, but her revolve solid.

"Hey!" She snapped a bit this time with little patience. "Well?"

He finally answered, "Y-Yeah."

Her eyes soften, a bit relieved. The place shook and rattled; chunks broke off from above, a few hit Ino. Her focus didn't waiver. Feeling his strength slowly coming back, Suigtusu pulled himself up.

"W-Which was...way did they…." he looked around.

"I don't know. But," she paused for a moment, holding her anger back, "I have to let the others know." She bit the bottom of her lip bitterly, holding back her tears.

Now wasn't the time to cry. It took a few more minutes to heal Sugistue properly. Once done, Ino, with a brokenhearted informed everyone of Hikari.

The news nearly caused Shikamaru to drop you, but his hands quickly tighten their grip. Rushing through the corridors, you half conscience…if barely. Disorientated was the best word. With Orochimaru leading and Karin taking the rear, they plowed their way through anyone or anything coming their way. The sanin made effortless work of them; occasional casting checking looks your way. They had to get you out quickly and back to the rendezvous; the place shook violently again. Karin lost her balance for a moment, Shikamaru too. Orochimaru turned back quickly and caught you.

"Careful, delicate cargo," he smiled with a slight hiss.

He placed you back in your brother's arms. Your world was nothing but a blur…of flashes…of trembling…you found yourself fading in and out. Images and memories of your life flashing from before to present. As present as you could remember. The most prominent, Hikari's birth and aging. Your mind hazed and buzzing; that's what…you held on to keep you from slipping. Her moments…were the strongest out of everyone. With your mouth numb, you tried uttering her name, but it couldn't form a single letter.

Feeling your tighten and trembling grip, Shikamaru's heart tightened as well. There was only so much he could do…and so much he wanted to. He knew what you were asking, but he didn't have the courage to tell you, not after what he found out. Right now…no matter how bitter, you were more important. But, he swore he'd come back for Hikari.

That stupid…girl of a niece. Why did she have to be so bullheaded like you?

Gripping you tighter, he tucked you in and slid, avoiding a large pipe tearing from the ceiling. He sprung up and continued.

So far, there no more attackers, which was good, but Shikamaru couldn't help but listen to the itch in his mind…something wasn't right. The air suddenly felt colder. His wife believed in omens. He didn't…but right now, he did. Otherwise, why did his heart plummet?

Back Konogakure, Boruto clenched a hand over his heart and dropped to his knees. He nearly knocked over the dresser in his room, hearing the thud his mother and sister come rushing in. The sight of her son flared Hinata's motherly instincts. She dropped to his side and helped him, holding his hand quickly withdrew it.

Her eyes were wide….his hand…it was…nearly cold like death. She grabbed it again and helped him up. Setting her son on his bed, fear and worry washed over him. Resting a gentle hand on his forehead, she felt no temperature. But he wouldn't stop sweating. His hand still clenched over his chest, Boruto winced terribly. Trembles reverberated through him. Hinata called to him, desperately asking what was wrong. But he didn't respond, he wasn't sure why…but with his other hand, moved it to the top of his forehead and rested it there. It was the spot where you would…would plant your lips so…tenderly and lovingly; every time you saw him. It was always warm…now it felt so cold.

Shutting his eyes, stopping the tears, he refused to cry, believed he saw you. You were standing a good distance ahead of him. He raced after you, his hand outstretched. Calling you, begging you not to go…towards the glowing light at the end. But…but you didn't stop and kept walking, so he kept running…but the path stretched further.

You couldn't go…no…you just couldn't. Memories of you and him passed him; at the park, you were catching him when he slid down the slide. The way you'd catch him in your arms when you use to live in the village and come to visit. Him dancing on your feet at his birthday….snuggling up with you one winter. The two of you playing in the snow. Chatting over webcam. Watching the sunset together and….when he recently visited you after the birth of his new cousins. He turned to you, and the smile you had was tired but beaming at his presence.

His eyes snapped open larger than ever. Color rushed from him, and the tears began leaking out. Seeing this, Hinata stopped fretting for a moment, and it clicked, seeing Boruto mouth your name. The anguish was plastered on him as clear as day. Reaching her arms around, she wrapped him up and held him close. Himawari huddled close, offering support. Hinata brought her in and held both children.