Hello hello~
Sorry for the wait again!
I'm still here, so let's continue!
~.~
Last Time:
We sat at a sweets shop. I held a cup of tea between my hands to warm them up a little. We talked about what had happened for the last month. Some of the missions Shikamaru has done with his team, some things that happened during my mission to the Wave. Some of the training me and Kakashi have been doing. Catching up. Also mentioning the Kekkei Genkai.
"You never mentioned your Kekkei Genkai before," Shikamaru told me, "Is it suppose to be a secret?"
"Well, no," I shrugged, "It's the one clue of where I could be from, but so far no one knows about it and I can't find anything about it."
"Can I see it?" He asked.
"Uh, sure," I said, "Jikangan."
"Whoa," He said in awe, "It's a clock."
"Haha, yeah," I said, deactivating it, "I can sorta manipulate time."
"Really?" He asked.
"W-Well, I don't really know everything about it and what I can do," I said, "I'm still learning."
"And that's what your training with Kakashi is for, right?" Shikamaru asked.
"Kinda, we're mainly just going over what I know and trying to perfect it," I said, "Er, get better at it."
"From your description, Kakashi's training sounds really hardcore," Shikamaru told me.
"It is," I said, stretching my shoulders, "I'm super sore."
"Why such a hardcore training?" He asked.
"Cause I asked for it," I told him.
"...why?" He asked.
"...cause I made mistakes on the mission," I sighed, "I'm...ashamed. I talk like I know better but my performance on this mission was terrible."
"I don't think you did too bad...from what you told me," Shikamaru said.
"I don't want to be all bark and no bite," I told him, "If Haku decided to kill Sasuke, Sasuke would be dead. I've only learned to protect myself so far. I realized I'm on a team and to protect them as well."
"Don't be too hard on yourself," Shikamaru told me.
"Well Kakashi said today would be my break and tomorrow we'll continue training again," I said, "After doing some D-Ranked missions and such."
"At least you're taking breaks," Shikamaru said, "You used to never take any breaks."
"I'm still doing missions," I told him, "So not a full on break."
Me and Kakashi continued my training after missions with the team. I tried to ignore how Naruto and Sasuke were acting with each other. I keep telling myself it was a rivalry thing, but I can't really tell.
It's been a couple of weeks and Kakashi gave us a day off training. But not missions.
Sasuke and Naruto started bickering with each other after the last mission we did. I gave Kakashi a look, telling him we should finish for the day or it'll get worse.
"Alright, we're done for today," Kakashi announced, "I'm gonna report back to the Hokage."
He flickered away while I slipped away without my team noticing.
'My team is so...annoying,' I sighed as I walked around to find a place to eat.
"Kyoko!"
I turned to see Ino waving her hand at me, running towards me with the rest of Team 10 behind her.
"Hey, Ino," I said, turning to her.
"How have you been? I haven't seen you in forever!" Ino smiled.
"Training and missions," I shrugged, "We just finished with missions for the day and Kakashi gave us a day off from training."
"Jeez Ino, how do you have the energy to run off like that," Shikamaru sighed, "Oh, hey Kyo."
I greeted the other three boys.
"We're about to go eat, wanna come with?" Ino asked.
"BBQ?" I asked.
"How'd you know?" Choji asked.
"Lucky guess," I said, "Sure, I'll tag along if it's okay."
I started coughing, the cigarette smoke getting to me.
"Sensei! She's not used to the smoke like us!" Ino told Asuma.
"Sorry, sorry!" Asuma said, "You guys go on ahead, I have to report to the Hokage."
We went into the restaurant and got seated at a table.
"Shikamaru told us about your mission to the Wave," Ino told me.
"Oh...that," I said.
"I can't believe you went through that! It wasn't suppose to be a C-Ranked mission," Ino said, "That's incredibly irresponsible of the client! They not only put your team in danger, but himself!"
"Well, they were in poverty," I told Ino, "He couldn't afford to pay for a higher Rank. The Bridge was their last hope to another chance at life."
I sighed, "At least we came back in one piece and we finished the mission. The Wave has another chance at life...and the bridge was named after Naruto."
"...why was it named after Naruto?" Ino questioned.
"Naruto...has a way with people," I said, "It's a little strange, but you kinda see it once you give him a chance."
"Riiiight..." Ino said, "Your hair got longer."
"That happens when I leave it along," I said.
"Can I braid it?" Ino asked.
"Let's order first, then you can do whatever you want," I said.
~.~
We ordered some food and I let Ino braid my hair as I cooked the meat.
"You're still using the hair tie I gave you!" Ino smiled.
"It's useful," I answered.
"Say, why are you hanging with us and not your team?" Shikamaru asked me.
"You're saying you don't wanna hang out with me?" I asked.
"...it's too troublesome to play this game with you," Shikamaru sighed.
I laughed, "I'm here cause you guys invited me," I said, placing a cooked piece of meat onto Choji's plate.
"I'm okay with Kyoko hanging out with us," Choji smiled at me.
I continued to cook the food.
"Naruto and Sasuke's rivalry is...annoying," I sighed, "So I wanna avoid it as much as possible."
"How's Sasuke-kun?" Ino asked immediately.
"...emo," I said, making the boys laugh.
"Kyoko!" Ino whined.
"I dunno, ask him yourself," I told her.
"I would if I could find him," She sighed.
"He's alive," I shrugged, "Is that a good enough answer for you?"
She sighed, "I guess."
~.~
Kakashi had just finished his report when Asuma entered.
"Oh, this is perfect," the Hokage said, "I had a mission that I needed both your teams for."
"Oh?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow.
"What's the mission?" Asuma asked.
"It's a C ranked mission. There had been various kidnappings of young girls around the country. I'm assigning both squads to investigate a mill that has been assumed to be the kidnappers' hide out," The Hokage explained, "And to shut down the system."
"Where is the mill?" Asuma asked.
"Not too far from here. But it's not as close either. It is near a small town, about the same distance as the Hidden Village of the Mist," Hokage answered, showing the two Jounin on a map.
Kakashi's eyes widened, recognizing the area.
"So why two Genin teams? Why not send a Chunin team?" Kakashi asked.
"Most Chunins right now are busy with their own missions, and some are helping me set up for the Chunin Exams that are coming up," The Hokage told them.
Kakashi and Asuma looked at each other before nodding.
"Alright, we accept," Asuma said.
"Inform your teams and you can set out tomorrow," The Hokage said.
They nodded.
"Kakashi," The Hokage said, stopping Kakashi, "A word."
Asuma gave a look before leaving. Once the door closed, The Hokage spoke.
"Is there something the matter?" The Third asked.
"Well," Kakashi said, "The area of the mill is quite close to where..." He paused.
"Where Kyoko used to live?" The Hokage asked.
"...yes," Kakashi nodded, "I'm not sure how she will react to this, or if she'll be comfortable being near the area that's traumatic to her."
"Kakashi, you've watched her grow. She knows that if she chooses this path, she can't let anything bother her. Not emotions, not fear, nothing," The Hokage said.
Kakashi sighed.
"I understand you worry for her. If this is a fear of hers, she has to overcome it," The Third said, "You won't be going into that building."
"I might be a little over protective," Kakashi said, "You're right."
The Hokage nodded.
"You're dismissed."
Kakashi left, searching for his team.
"...I'll tell Kyoko later."
~.~
I left the restaurant with a braid. I would've hung out with Team 10 but Asuma had come to talk to them about a mission.
The sun had started to set. I decided to take my time walking home, appreciating the colours of the sunset that painted the sky.
'I'm making good progress, it feels like the training is paying off. I feel more confident, I know I can do better at the next big mission,' I thought.
'Oh? Just you wait,' Fuzen said.
'Oh...it's you...' I thought, 'Can you just leave me alone? I don't need you. I can figure this shit out myself.'
'The only way I'll die, is if you die,' Fuzen smirked, 'Lucky for me, you now have people you cherish. I doubt you'll take your life to escape me.'
'...tch,' I continued to make my way home.
I opened the door and was immediately greeted by Akumu.
"I'm home," I announced, taking my shoes off, picking up my shoes.
I walked in to meet Kakashi, sitting at the table. There was some tension in the air.
"...what's wrong?" I asked, putting Akumu down.
"...we have a mission," Kakashi told me.
I sighed in relief, "I actually feel really confident in myself. I know I'll do better in this one. What is this one about?"
"...It's a C ranked mission. There had been various kidnappings of young girls around the country. We believe their hideout is in a mill in between The Land of Waves and The Leaf. We're to infiltrate the hideout and shut down the system," Kakashi told me, "I already told the rest of the team."
"Eh? Without me?" I questioned.
"Take a look at where the mission is taken place," Kakashi said, showing me the map.
I stepped over to the table and looked at the map. There was a red circle indicating where the mission was taken place.
My eyes widened, a rush of fear washed over me.
"...Kyoko," Kakashi said.
"...oh, i-it's around there..." I said.
"...yes," Kakashi said, "I assure we aren't gonna go into that building."
"I-I know," I said.
"If you don't feel up to it-"
I cut him off, "I'm just surprised," I told him, "I'm a little...scared, but I can't dodge a mission just because a silly fear."
I gave an assuring smile, "I chose this path. I can do this."
He sighed, "Alright, we leave tomorrow morning."
"..." Me eyes widened.
"Kyoko?" Kakashi questioned.
"We're leaving Akumu again," I said sadly.
"The neighbours will look after him again," Kakashi told me.
"Akumu, you're in charge of the house again," I told Akumu, not paying attention to Kakashi, "I'll buy you a new toy and treats when I come back."
"...get packing."
~.~
I started packing my bags, holsters and side bags.
Akumu nudged my hand.
I looked at him. He knew I was afraid.
I sat on my bed and picked him up, placing him on my lap.
"I'll be okay, Akumu," I said, scratching under his chin, making him purr, "I'll have my team with me. I can't embarrass myself by being scared. I'll never hear the end of it."
Akumu gave me a look.
"Yeah, yeah, me and my pride," I said, scratching him behind his ear.
I yawned and decided to call it a night. I decided to sleep in my own bed.
I crawled into bed and tucked me and Akumu into my bed.
"Good night, Akumu," I said, kissing the top of his head, "Get ready to get a new cat tower and some new toys."
~.~
"H-help...please, someone help."
I heard someone quietly plea. I turned to see a little girl, curled up in a ball, arms covering her head, her eyes closed shut, tears streaming down her face. She hid in the corner, hoping to not be found.
I walked over to her.
"What's wrong? What are you hiding from?" I asked.
"It's going to kill us...it's going to kill all of us," The girl said, eyes clenched closed.
"What is? What's going to kill you?" I asked.
The girl then opened her eyes and screamed. Before I could ask what was wrong, something ripped her to shreds, her blood and organs splattered on the wall. My eyes widened.
"What the hell was that?!" I turned around, trying to find who or what did that.
I wandered around, finding other kids. But when I got close, something would come and kill them before I could blink. They were left as a pile of flesh, blood, and organs. It was either left on the ground or displayed on the walls.
'What on Earth is going on?' I questioned, frantically looking around for the killer.
"Monster!"
"Demon!"
Shouts and pleas for help filled the air. I was useless. Everywhere I turned, I see kids getting torn apart, limbs flying off, blood splattering the walls and the floors.
'...what's happening? A-am I next?' I wondered, starting to tremble, 'Where is everyone?'
"K-Kakashi? Sasuke? Naruto? Sakura?" I called out, running through the halls, "Shikamaru? Is anyone here?! Please!"
I heard a loud growl. I turned to see nothing. I looked around frantically, I felt like I was trapped.
Children ran past me, screaming and crying for their lives. A black, monstrous figure sped past me, ripping the children to shreds, blood splattering all over the place. I froze in place. I was trapped, watching this nightmare. Blood and guts were thrown all over. Exposed flesh and bones of corpses all over the place.
'W-where am I? What's attacking us?'
The dark figure stopped. It stood up straight,back facing me. It slowly started turning to face me. I was trembling even more, tears formed and streamed down my face. I wanted to move. But I couldn't. I begged for my body to move. Bright red eyes pierced right through me. A demonic smile formed on their face before raising their clawed hand, then racing towards me.
~.~
I shot up from my bed, covering in sweat. There were tears running down my face. Akumu was awake, sitting on my lap.
"...geez," I sighed, wiping my face from tears and sweat, "This really needs to stop."
Akumu mewed in concern, rubbing himself against me.
I gently pulled him into a hug, petting him. I sighed in a bit of relief.
"I'm okay," I told him before laying back down, "Thank you, Akumu."
I didn't wanna crawl back in Kakashi's bed again. I couldn't keep doing that.
As much as I didn't wanna give my brain the chance to make me go through a nightmare again, that nightmare made me so mentally tired, I just risked it.
~.~
That was a bad risk to take.
I had nightmares left and right. I woke up around 4:00 am and decided to just get up at that point.
My heart was beating out of my chest.
I pulled out my violin, went out the window, and started playing to calm myself down.
I only played for about 30 minutes.
I went back into my room and started my morning routine.
I was so tired, I became clumsy.
I knocked stuff over, almost walked into walls, tripped over Akumu. And I haven't even left my room yet.
Not only did I become clumsy, but I was also jumpy because of how terrifying the nightmare was.
In the kitchen, I was making cereal and Akumu knocked a spoon off the counter and onto the floor, making a loud sound. I jumped at the sound and almost screamed. Small sounds and creaks that I heard made me flinch or jump.
"Come on, Kyoko, you have a mission today," I muttered to myself.
I sat down at the table and sighed.
Akumu jumped onto the chair beside me.
"You know you aren't allowed," I told him.
He mewed at me and stared at me with his big, adorable eyes.
"Yes, you're very cute," I said, "But milk will upset you. You have your food in your bowl right now."
He kept looking at me and I avoided eye contact.
"I love you but no," I told him, "I'm already letting you sit at the table."
"And you're not suppose to."
I jumped at Kakashi's sudden arrival.
"J-Jeez," I sighed, "Akumu, down."
Akumu just stared at me.
"...well, I tried," I shrugged.
Kakashi sighed and picked up the cat only to put him on the floor.
"Sure was noisy this morning," Kakashi told me.
"I was a bit clumsy," I chuckled nervously.
"Kyoko," Kakashi started, "Are you sure you're up for this mission?"
"I'll be fine," I told him, "We aren't gonna be in that building."
"Alright," He said, "Finish your breakfast soon."
"We still have time til we have to leave," I told Kakashi.
"You're gonna spend eternity saying goodbye to Akumu," He told me.
I looked at him, "Less time than the amount of time you make us wait."
~.~
Kakashi went off..somewhere, after telling me where to meet: At the gates at 6:00 am. I stood at the gates, waiting for my teammates.
"You're early," Sakura said, arriving.
"Yeah," I sighed, leaning on the gates, "Kakashi left with me and disappeared once I got here."
"Of course," Sakura sighed.
"Good morning," Naruto said lazily, yawning as he arrived.
"We're gonna be waiting a while," I told him, "Get comfortable."
"Sasuke! Good Morning!" Sakura smiled.
I simply waved and he waved back.
"Say," Sakura said, facing me, "You were hanging out with Team 10 yesterday, right?"
"Yeah," I said.
"Do you like them more than us?" Sakura asked.
"...I get tired of the rivalry between Sasuke and Naruto," I admitted to her.
"I feel like your friendship with Ino is stronger than your friendship with me," Sakura said with a frown.
"Is that so?" I asked, "Sakura, we're on the same team, we spend more time together."
"That's the thing! We're on the same team, yet you're closer to Ino than me," Sakura whined.
"I thought you two fight over Sasuke, not me," I said jokingly.
"I got you something to strengthen our friendship," Sakura said, pulling something out from her pocket, "Here."
I held my hand out and she wrapped something around my wrist. It was a bracelet with a metal plate. On the metal plate was a simple print of a cat face.
"Now we match," Sakura grinned, holding up her wrist to show the same bracelet.
Her bracelet had a simple print of a sakura flower.
"Thanks," I said, looking at my bracelet, "I hope it wasn't expensive."
"No worries!" Sakura smiled, "Now we can show Ino who's your real best friend."
"Isn't that suppose to be decided by me?" I chuckled nervously.
"Whoa! Do you have one for me too, Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked.
"As if!" Sakura yelled at him.
'...I'm reminded everyday that this is the team I'm with,' I sighed.
I noticed Sasuke was hiding in one of the trees. I snuck away from Sakura and Naruto to bug him.
"What are you up to?" I asked, sitting beside him.
"Hiding," Sasuke told me.
"From what? Sakura already saw you," I told him.
"Once Ino gets here, it's gonna get messy," He said.
"Ino?" I questioned.
"Yeah, Team 10," Sasuke said, "Didn't Kakashi tell you?"
"No..?" I looked at him, confused,
"Team 7 and Team 10 were both assigned to this mission," Sasuke told me.
"...I was not informed," I told him.
"Now you know," He said.
"Wasn't prepared," I sighed, "Well, I'll leave so you don't get caught immediately."
I jumped down and walked over to Naruto and Sakura before Sakura could punch Naruto out.
"Alright, calm down," I said, getting in between them, "Save the energy for the mission."
"Can't believe Old Man Hokage thinks we can't do this mission on our own," Naruto whined.
"I recently learned that we're gonna have Team 10 with us," I said with a bit of a sigh.
"Are you excited?" Sakura asked, nudging me.
"Lets see," I said, "Both you and Ino are gonna butt heads because Sasuke's in the picture. Apparently you and Ino also have a rivalry of who's my best friend which I don't want a part of. Not to mention Naruto and Sasuke's rivalry," I sighed, "There's a lot."
"I meant about Shikamaru~" Sakura told me.
"He and Choji might be the only sane people on this mission," I told her.
"Ahaha I see..." Sakura said.
We sat around for about 2 and a half hours til we heard a familiar voice.
"Kyoko!"
We turned to see Ino waving with Team 10.
I waved back, earning a jealous look from Sakura.
I sighed and threw and arm over the pink haired girl, "We're on the same team, don't get jealous."
"I'm not jealous!" Sakura told me.
"Good," I said.
Team 10, minus Asuma Sensei, walked over to greet us.
Ino walked over to me and Sakura.
"Kyoko, you're wearing the hair tie again! Can I braid your hair again?" Ino asked.
"Maybe not today," I told her, "I wouldn't wanna ruin the braid during the mission."
Ino noticed the bracelet around my wrist.
"That's a pretty bracelet," Ino said.
"Isn't it?" Sakura said with a smirk, showing off her matching bracelet, "We got matching bracelets cause we're best friends!"
'Oh boy,' I sighed.
"What?" Ino questioned, "Hey, have you gotten your ears pierced yet, Kyoko?"
"No," I said.
"Let's get your ears pierced when we get back! Then we can get matching earrings!" Ino smiled at me.
"We already planned to do that already!" Sakura told her.
"Liar," Ino said.
"You're just jealous," Sakura said.
"..." I quietly backed away from the two as they continued to bicker.
"Kyo."
I almost jumped at the voice, turning to see Shikamaru.
"So, we're gonna be on a mission together, this is gonna be interesting," Shikamaru said.
"Hey Shika, Choji" I greeted, "Kakashi didn't tell me we were on a mission with two teams. A bit of a surprise."
"I'm surprised that Ino didn't first search for Sasuke first," Shikamaru said, "Where is he anyways?"
I discreetly pointed up at the tree.
"Ah," Shikamaru said.
"What time did Asuma tell you guys to come?" I asked.
"Uh around 10 am,"Choji said.
"But we arrived a little earlier than expected," Shikamaru said.
"Kakashi told us to meet at 6 am," I said, "And I know for 100% Kakashi's gonna be really late."
"Really?" He asked, "Does he do that on purpose?"
"I'm not too sure," I said.
"I have snacks to kill the time," Choji said, opening a bag of chips.
Sakura quickly went over to us, looking around.
"Have you seen Sasuke? He just disappeared," Sakura said.
I shook my head.
"Sorry," I said.
Soon Ino over, almost bumping into Sakura.
"Where's Sasuke?" She asked me.
"I dunno," I shrugged.
She groaned.
"You scared him off!" Sakura told Ino.
"Excuse me?" Ino shouted, "More like you scared him off with your giant forehead!"
"They forgot about me," I said jokingly.
"We're gonna be on a mission with those two," Shikamaru said, "What a drag..."
"Yup," I said, "It's gonna be terrible."
~.~
It's been about 4 hours in total now.
"Where is Kakashi?" I groaned
"Is this the latest he's ever been?" Shikamaru asked.
"No, he's been like 6 hours late before," I said.
"Why does he do this?" He asked.
"No one knows," I said with a yawn.
"You seem a little tired," He pointed out.
"Yeah, I slept a little late," I said.
"WHERE IS HE?!" Ino shouted.
"Is he gonna be here soon?" Shikamaru asked, a little nervous about Ino's outburst.
I shrugged.
"Not sure, cause this time it's Ino, not Sakura or Naruto, complaining," I said, "But maybe."
"SAKURA WHY IS YOUR SENSEI LATE?" Ino asked.
"This isn't even the latest he's been," Sakura said, "But seriously he should really stop being late," She said through gritted teeth.
"I'm gonna start running out of snacks," Choji said.
"I gotcha Choji," Shikamaru said, "I packed some for you."
"I have some granola bars and stuff in my bag too if you're hungry," I offered.
"Where is he?!" Naruto whined.
"Late as always," I said with a shrug, "Not much of a surprise anymore."
"Is that so?"
I looked up to see Kakashi hanging upside down from the branch above me.
"OH SHIT," I shouted, backing up.
I tripped on a rock, making me fall backwards. Luckily, Sasuke reacted quickly and caught me.
"You're usually not this jumpy," Sasuke told me, stabilizing me.
"I let my guard down a little," I sighed, "Thanks."
"No problem," Sasuke said.
"That was a close one," Asuma said, just now arriving, "Sorry I'm late."
"It's a normal thing with Team 7," I said before coughing.
"Are you okay?" Choji asked me.
"Y-Yeah, sorry I'm not used to cigarette smoke," I said in between coughs.
"Sensei!" Ino said in a scolding tone.
"Sorry! I forgot," Asuma chuckled, putting it out.
"Seems like Kyo is more sensitive to the smoke," Shikamaru said.
"It's not that," I said, still coughing, "I just end up accidentally inhaling a lot of smoke unexpectedly."
"Here," Sasuke said, handing me some water.
"Sasuke! There you are!" Ino said, running over.
"Back off Ino-pig! He's my team mate!" Sakura shouted, running after her.
I stood in front of him, blocking the girls, "Girls, we're on a mission, let's not act like this."
"Kyokooo, let me through! I'm your best friend, help me get with Sasuke!" Ino pleaded.
"I'm your best friend! I'm on your team, we've been through so much!" Sakura told me.
"...if you guys wanna continue being friends with me, you need to act proper on this mission," I said, "And not continuously go after Sasuke."
"But-" They both started but Kakashi cut them off.
"Anyways, shall we head off?" Kakashi asked.
"Yes," Asuma said, "Before the girls continued."
We finally left the village and started walking to our destination.
~.~
We've been travelling through the trees for quite a while. I stuck by Kakashi as a way to stay calm.
'You're on a mission, don't be scared. Those were only nightmares, you're fine,' I told myself.
I continued to assure myself not to worry and that I was fine.
'The destination is just coincidentally near the building where my orphanage used to be,' I thought.
I was so lost in my thoughts, I lost my footing on the next branch and slipped.
"Kyoko!" I heard my team mates shout.
One of them was quick enough to grab my arm.
I looked up to see Shikamaru.
He let out a sigh of relief.
"Nice catch," Kakashi said.
They helped me back up on the branch.
"Sorry, I spaced out for a moment," I said, "Thanks, Shika."
"Troublesome," Shikamaru sighed, "Be more careful."
"Should we take a break?" Asuma asked.
I shook my head, "I'm okay, we can keep going," I told Asuma, jumping to the next branch, "Let's go."
We proceeded, travelling through the trees.
Shikamaru quickly caught up to me.
"You alright?" He asked me.
"Yeah, I'm okay," I tried to assure, "Don't worry."
~.~
It wasn't long til noon. The sun was right above us, the rays shining through the leaves.
Asuma and Kakashi stopped.
"Lets take a break and have lunch," Asuna told us.
"Yes!" Choji cheered.
We made out way to the ground and found a small clearing.
I noticed Asuma taking out his cigarette box. We made eye contact.
I pointed to a tree, basically saying that I'll be sitting far enough for it not to bother me.
I sat at the base of the tree that was farther from the others. I grabbed a rice ball from my bag.
"Whatcha doing over here?" Shikamaru asked, almost startling me.
"Hey, Shika," I greeted, "Just wanted to chill over here."
"So Asuma could smoke?" He asked.
"Ahaha, yeah," I said.
I unwrapped the cling wrap around the rice ball and bit into it.
"For once, I'm happy that we're taking a break," I sighed, leaning my head back, "I'm so tired."
"Should have slept when we were waiting at the gates," Shikamaru told me.
"Yeah, I should've," I said with a yawn.
"Hey, whatcha doing over here guys?" Naruto asked, coming over.
"Eating," I said.
"I should've brought more food," Choji said, finishing his bag of chips.
"Here," I said, pulling a rice ball from my bag.
"Really?" Choji asked.
"Yeah, I'm not too hungry," I said, tossing it to him.
Choji and Naruto sat with me and Shikamaru.
Sasuke came over without a word and sat on my other side.
"Eh? Why are you guys all the way over here?" Sakura asked, coming over with Ino behind her.
"I wanted some quiet," I joked.
"Are you okay? If Shikamaru didn't catch you, you could've seriously been injured," Ino told me.
"I'm fine," I assure, "I'm a little tired is all."
"You should take a small nap," Sakura told me.
"I'll be okay," I said, but my yawn didn't help me.
"Sleep, Kyo, a little sleep is better than no sleep," Shikamaru said, patting my head.
"You need some energy," Ino told me.
I sighed, closing my eyes, "Fine, fine, I'll rest my eyes for a bit."
~.~
I heard my own footsteps echo through the dark empty halls.
"Hello?" I questioned, looking around, "Is anyone there?"
I heard a loud growl, immediately regretting my choice to talk out loud. I concealed my footsteps and quietly ran down the halls. The growling got louder. I ran away from the direction of whatever it was, but every direction I went, it sounded like it was there.
'Where the hell is it?' I went to get a kunai out, but I didn't have my holster on me.
Or any weapon what so ever.
'What the hell?' I was wearing a plain white dress.
Talk about easy to spot. I heard growling behind me. I was about to start running, but I found myself stuck in a corner.
"What? When did I run into this?" I questioned in a panicked tone.
I could hear heavy footsteps as well as heavy breathing.
"Shit, shit, shit, no!" I panicked as the footsteps got louder.
I cowered in the corner, feeling small and weak. I closed my eyes tight, letting tears fall. I listened to the footsteps as they got louder, and louder, until...they stopped? I took a deep break before forcing myself to peek and see if it was there. I opened my eyes and blinked. I wasn't in that corner anymore. Well...the walls looked the same, as well as the hallways, but I was in a different place. I slowly stood up. I took a few steps forward, looking around. After calming down, I turned around to where I was resting. Big mistake. Blood, severed limbs, organs, bodies ripped to shreds. A pile of dead bodies, unrecognizable to who they used to be, were right behind me. I started trembling, backing up.
"W-What the hell?" I questioned in a shaky voice.
I heard a dark distorted laugh.
"Why? No! Stay away!" I shouted, running away from the laugh.
'Exit, try to find the exit,' I told myself.
I ran down the halls, turning every corner, but never finding a door. It was like an endless maze.
"Hehe, you'll never escape! You're mine!" The distorted voice told me.
I kept running.
'Where's the exit? I'll even take a window! Just somewhere to escape!'
"Kyoko."
'Huh?' I slowed down, '..what was that?'
"Kyoko, wake up. Come on."
I recognized the voice.
"...Shika?"
~.~
"Kyoko," Shikamaru said, lightly shaking the girl.
"Kyoko, wake up. Come on," He said as he continued to lightly shake the girl.
"...Shika?" She muttered.
"Yeah, it's me. Wake up Kyo," He said softly.
~.~
I slowly opened my eyes, realizing I lived through another nightmare.
'Ugh, another dream?' I questioned, I was still tired.
"Hey sleepyhead," Shikamaru said.
"How'd you sleep?" Sakura asked.
"...not the best," I said with a stretch, "But better than nothing."
"I guess Shikamaru's shoulder wasn't comfortable," Ino snickered.
"Huh?" I questioned.
Turns out I had leaned on his shoulders when I fell asleep.
"Alright, lets head out," Asuma said, making us turn to him.
"We're gonna follow this river upstream. It'll lead us right to the mill and the town," Kakashi told us.
"But we're gonna travel in the forest instead of on the path to conceal ourselves. If they see any signs of a ninja, they'll either jump us or book it," Asuma explained, "Just he sure we keep our eyes on the river."
We all nodded, telling them we understood.
We travelled by tree branches, above the ground.
~.~
The sun going to start setting soon. As we travelled, my eyes wondered around as I followed everyone, since I was at the back. I then saw something that almost stopped me in my tracks. An old abandoned building, around two stories tall, and was surrounded by a barbed fence, that was rusted and looked like it was going to break if a leaf fell on it.
'...that's...the orphanage...' I thought, keeping my eyes on the place that tortured me for years.
I looked away, feeling myself beginning to tremble.
'Calm down,' I told myself, clasping my hands together.
~.~
Shikamaru noticed Kyoko's expression, it was a mixture of fear and nervousness.
He followed her glance to the old building. She began to tremble, holding her hands together.
'Is she okay...?' Sasuke thought, sensing that his team mate was feeling nervous.
He looked at Kyoko, soon brushing off his worry feeling, 'She probably won't want me asking, it's none of my business,' the Uchiha thought.
'What's got her tense? This place...?' Shikamaru wondered.
"Kyoko," Kakashi said in a low voice, making the girl turn to him.
~.~
"Kyoko."
"Huh?" I said, looking at Kakashi.
"Everything's gonna be fine," He whispered.
I simply nodded, "I know."
I soon felt someone's hand on my shoulder, making me jump a bit.
"Are you okay? You don't look well," Shikamaru asked in a hushed voice so the others didn't hear him.
"Uh, um y-yeah, I'm fine, " I said.
"Are you sure? You look like you've seen a ghost. The colour of your face is drained out," Shikamaru told me.
"I'm fine, I just need more sleep," I said.
"Alright, if you say so," Shikamaru said, not wanting to push me.
"Kyoko," Kakashi said, who randomly appeared behind me, almost making me miss the next branch.
"Kakashi, don't do that!" I said, putting my hand over my heart.
Kakashi ruffled my hair.
"Kakashi! Knock it off!" I told him.
"Don't worry about anything, you're safe with us," he told me, "Keep behind me and Asuma."
We nodded and switched positions.
Soon the mill, that was assumed to be the hideout, was in view. We hid deeper and farther into the forest, setting camp there. We had to be far enough for them to not notice us, but close enough for us to spy on the mill. Kakashi and Asuma explained the plan they had made on the way to the mill.
"If this is their base, this is the plan," Kakashi said, starting to explain it.
"So basically we need one of us to purposely get kidnapped by one of them so they can find out what's happening inside. We wait out here until they gives us some kind of signal and then we sneak in and capture them?" Shikamaru summarized.
"Basically," Asuma said.
"That sounds dangerous to the girls," Naruto said.
"Have some faith, they're strong enough to handle themselves," Asuma said, "Right?"
Asuma turned to see Sakura and Ino bickering, with me in between them.
'I don't even know what they're arguing about anymore,' I sighed.
"Oi," Kakashi called out to us, "Come here. We have a plan."
~.~
Thanks for reading!
I hope everyone is doing well and is safe
Signing off,
Bluebirb