Again, you were in the Archive library with a book upon book and scroll upon a scroll laid out in front of you. Your finger trailing down and across everyone one. Turing the pages once done with them, only to pick up another one and speed read through it. To find nothing yet again, sighing to yourself thinking of the work that was still needed to be done back in the lab. Grabbing what you could or that you deemed important packing up, you leave taking just a couple of scrolls with you.
There still had not been any sort of breakthrough from the samples just of yet. Just the other day, you were summoned along with Shizune, Sakura and Ino on any new results and data. Which none of you really had any, just small bits and pieces there. Through the autopsy, Shizune pretty much was able to find, like before their blood had been corroded by the substance which seem to their fuel. Not to mention the fact, their body's cells were still alive during the time. Though only for a short amount of time at the least, whatever the substance was provided them chakra flow, as well as another. She concluded there seem to be mechanical parts just a bit used, yet there seem to be some strange she wasn't fully sure metal like liquid that seem to be embodied into their cells.
From Sakura, Ino and yourself. There wasn't much to show, the blood samples were still having to break down, not mention the ooze. Having gone through really mostly everything from the books to the jutsus to decipher what had been used and what most likely will be used. Ino did seem to manage with the help of Shizune, find some strange strain of DNA, that was obviously not human in a way.
Nope, it wasn't human, which you had taken a look at it. Realizing what type of DNA it was, adding more to your already heavy burden. A DNA you knew and wished was not a part of you in any way. But, there was nothing you could do about it, Kraang DNA was a part of you and now was slowly starting to be put into these people.
What was Shredder and Kraang planning? This question or better yet questions kept puzzling you into sleepless nights and distant thoughts. Making you restless, but you managed to keep up the energy needed, again a benefit really from your physiology.
Everything that was said and reported to Tsunade, by the four of her students pretty much was it. Shizune told her, they would still keep at it, till something was figured out or broke through. It was easy to see that the Hokage wanted to know the answers and was starting to become impatient because to the slow progress. Still, she knew at the same time things take time. But it was time that keeps her on her toes, unsure really about this new threat and when they would strike again. Without really any sort or way to counter them, there just had to be some sort of mastermind behind this.
Much more, cunning compared to her old teammate Orochimaru. This player, no this new threat was much more clever and calculating. Making them dangerous, more so than the Akatsuki. They seem to know how to come and go, with great ease. Their quick strikes struck hard blows, proving their strength, she didn't know why, but just the mere thought of this hidden adversary no...enemy froze her blood slightly. Yet, it burned inside her, with anger at the threat they had upon HER village. A threat she was not going to take likely, one she will crush herself once she found out who and what they were.
Tsunade kept the lab open, expanding a bit more resources to help out.
You knew she was starting to get restless, which you were too. But, you had to keep going despite it. Shredder was here now, and the Kraang no doubt they belonged to you. Not the others, sighing heavily just thinking about all this just added more. It felt like an extra ton of weight, that could not be lifted. Keeping your eyes low, but not too low looking hard upon nothing but the ground, not paying much attention upon those walked by you on this clear day in the village. You could feel your spirits becoming weighed down, if only Master Splinter, and the others were here right now. Mainly the guys, they would know what to do.
Thinking of how Leo would come up with some sort of plan. After, of course, everyone would regroup to hear it, with Donatello throws in agreements, then adding to the plan to make it much more effective. Once the plan was done, it was time for action. Everyone had their role to play, and would take down Shredder's and the Kraang. Stopping their dastardly plan, just as it was half way or a 3/4's of the way through.
Able to save others who, undoubtedly did not know how much in danger they were in. It was always a good feeling to have, saving them. With the others, everyone, again had their role to play. Leo, the leader. Donatello the brains. Mikey the unpredictable. Raphael the muscles. Casey, not trying to be mean the distraction, April the improviser, and then there was you.
Stopping in your tracks, something seems to click in your mind. Making you realize something, upon which role did you actually play within the group really? Sure, you offered your assistance with tending to their injuries and providing a defense. But that was really all...it wasn't bad, no it really wasn't. You did enjoy being able to save them and keep them out of harms way.
Still, that was all, it never weighed upon you really, your role in the group. Sure, you added muscle to it, because of your physiology. But, the others added way more to the team. Now...now you had to be all of them combined. They always had their roles and told you want to do, while they fought you realized how much effort they put in.
Your grip tightens, upon the books you held close to your chest. Pressing them in, everything seems to slowly fade away those walking by leaving just you there. Thinking hard, it made sense it really did...closing your eyes tightly. Opening them wide, others came into view feeling like a lone fish swimming through the currents, looking around at everyone that passed you by.
The grip became tighter, you bit the bottom of your lip just a bit. Your eyes began to open to the truth, a truth that was starting to swallow you up. Scaring you. Your heart raced, this epiphany slowly starting to awake. It was new to you, this feeling...wishing greatly for April to appear like she always did, when she felt, you were feeling lost or distraught or confused or uncertain about something.
She would come and explain it to you, take your hands in hers. Tell you everything, that you need not fear it, because it normal. But this feeling, you were uncertain what this feeling was, that gripped at you. Holding you prisoner for what seem like hours, where nothing but mere seconds that turned into around two minutes.
Then it happens, those red eyes flashed in your mind. Clouding your vision, along with those familiar cold blue ones. Then over them, came those burning yellow green eyes of the Kraang, followed by Tigerclaw, Xaver, Rahzor and lastly. Shredder. All eyes loomed over you, casting some sort of the imposing shadow of darkness.
Was this the feeling? You were so unsure, but it was slowly wrapping your mind. Making it spin and become light headed. Feeling yourself floating heavily, when someone touched you.
Snapping you out of whatever state you were feeling yourself in. This touch eased you greatly, bringing you back to your senses. Vision starting to return and all the other senses. This soft, kind, gentle touch belonging to...
Hinata.
Turning around to find her standing there looking at you worried and concerned."May...are you alright?"
Your tensed eyes, relax upon seeing her face. A familiar face no doubt, sighing and smiling in relief it was just her. You greet her with a friendly smile."Hinata, is there something you need?"
Her hand remains upon your shoulder, seeing you smile. The girl was a bit lost in your sudden change in disposition all of sudden. This caught her off guard, she saw something wasn't right, she had called out to you a little ways back. But you didn't hear her, she saw your sudden stop and distressful confused look starting to twist on your face. Turning into what seem like...fear or fright she was not fully sure. But whatever it was made her worry. It seems like someone grabbed hold of you, putting you in this trance.
If she had not touched you, who knew how far you would have gone really. She waited a few seconds, allowing her mind to process the right answer. She wanted to know what it was that gripped you, under their hypnotic spell. But, she could see there was no way she would at all get the answer. Still, it didn't stop her from asking.
"Are you alright?"she asks.
Hearing her genuine concern for you, which baffled you. Of course you were alright, why she would ask such a thing was beyond you. Keeping your smile on reassuring her things were fine.
"Yes, I am very much alright."you tell her, then look down at your books. She does so too."I have come from the library, I was just thinking of some things really. My mind, has a habit to wander off into its own domain. I did not mean to cause you great worry."
She slowly takes her hand back."That's alright..."she kept her eyes on the books."You must be really busy, then. Huh?"
She returns the friendly smile. You nod your head."Yes, it is very much so busy...but I do not mind. Miss Tsunade has been very kind to me, and it is the least I can do."
"I see."
"It seems, as though I have not seen you since my arrival here."
"Yes, it has. I was one my way to train with Kiba, Akamaru and Shino."
"Oh. That sounds most wonderful. It truly does. Have the others returned yet?"
She knew who you meant."No, not yet. But I believe they should be back, later most likely today."
"How pleasant really, I am sure they will be grateful to return back home." You shift the books in your arms.
"Yes..."she notices your gesture, giving her a glue that you wanted to leave. So she wraps it up quickly."Since...everyone is coming back...why don't you join us. Tonight."
The idea of her invite spending time with the others, was a nice thought and idea. But you had much higher priorities at this point, not wanting to push away her kind gesture, because you knew it was would not be right. Thinking of what to say really, she waited seeing you contemplate upon what. When you came up with the right response.
"If I am able to accompany you and the others. I shall, though it most likely would be late and I do not wish to have all of you wait upon my arrival to enjoy yourselves."you tell her."If Ino and Sakura are attending, then I shall send with them if I shall be able to arrive. Is that satisfying?"
All Hinata could do was just nod her head."Sure, I..do hope you can make it. Well, I don't want to hold you up."
The two of you smile at each other."You are doing no such thing."you smile at her."I wish you well upon your training. Bye Hinata." You wave to her. She waves back.
"Bye May."she watches you walk away from her, she kept her smile, but it started to drop."... May..."
If there could be more hours in the day, that would be a most helpful to many. Mainly you, night crept up on you like a predator to its prey. Those in the lab, had started to go home, leaving again. Shizune, Ino, Sakura and you with a small handful of others. Who had started to clean, while you stayed at your station working on something, looking at another sample.
Ino and Sakura were winding down, talking about tonight with everyone. You had blocked them out, staying full focused upon the task at hand. That you didn't seem them coming over to you. Ino reaches out placing her hand upon your shoulder, calling to you, causing you to jerk a bit startled this.
"Oh, Ino..Sakaru."you smile at them, lifting up your goggles."Yes?"
The two friends look at each other than you."Are you ready to go?"Sakura asked."Tonight, out with everyone."
"Yeah, we're all meeting up the Dango Shop."Ino tells you."For something sweet."
"Yeah, why don't you join us."Sakura extends the invite like Hinata."We could use some down time."
Sliding your goggles back on, smiling at them."Hinata has informed of such a gathering tonight. I am not sure if, I will be able to attend. Please, though, enjoy yourselves. All of you."you kept your smile on, and turn back to the sample. In a sense without realizing that you just gave a slight cold shoulder to them. It wasn't until you felt their sudden sullen emotion that you stopped turning around to them."Oh, please...forgive me."you quickly apologize."I did not mean to make you feel such distress..."They look at you."I shall see, if I am able to pry myself away then I might be able to include myself in your outing. Though in the mean time, please enjoy yourselves and give my regards to the others."you smile sweetly at them.
That smile, made Ino and Sakura stop themselves from objecting. It was so genuine and sincere, giving into it. They comply nodding their head."Alright."Sakura smiles back.
"Just, try to make ok!?"Ino demands playfully from you. You nod your head, hearing what she said."Try not to over do it alright."
Nodding your head, understanding. You wave bye to them, they wave back and leave, you kept waving till they were out of sight. They were the last two to leave, leaving you alone. Turning back to the sample you continue your work.
At the Dango Shop, the village's popular spot known for their sweets Ino and Sakura arrives to find the others around a fairly large table. To fit them all, the group greets them. The girls take their seats, Ino by Shikamaru and Tenten, with Sakura sitting across from her by Hinata and Neji. Lee looking around notice someone was missing along with Hinata.
"Where is May?"Lee asks, Sakura picks up a menu along with Ino.
The two of them look at each other unsure what to say. But, Hinata could read it..."Wait! May's here in the village?"Kiba was surprised by this."No told me!"he snaps.
"For someone who uses sense, I'm surprised you didn't smell hers."Shino barrettes him coolly. Only to anger the wild ninja.
"I'm surprised too."Naruto throws in, adding more to Kiba's anger, the young man snaps at him, which prompt Naruto to snap back and the two starting to bicker at each other.
The others block them out, turning their attention back to Ino and Sakura awaiting their answer."She said, if she's finishes up in time. That she'll be able to join."Sakura tells them, wishing she didn't her voice was heavy. No doubt filled with worry. Hinata knew that feeling.
"Yeah."Ino throws in."She's said to send her regards to everyone and tell all of you welcome back. But she is really ingesting into her work." Ino looks over the menu.
Tenten sums it up."So, she's not coming... bummer I really would like to see her."
Lee nods his head in agreement."As I, I wanted to make sure she is doing well. With her injuries and settling in here. As well inform her of Kai's status."
"Oh, trust me. She's doing just fine."Sakura assures him and the others. Kiba and Naruto finally stopped fighting."She's just really into her work, what we've been doing."
"I'm sure it's very taxing."Tenten throws in, both girls sigh tiredly.
"Yeah, we keep hitting dead ends really."Ino groans slightly, messaging her temples."It's really frustrating."
"Yeah, Lady Tsunade seems to be reaching her limits."Sakura sighs lowly."We've gone over everything at least hundred times, and still nothing. May though, had to at least, went over...more than any of us. Never would have taken her as the studious type really...she so focused and driven...it's a bit scary. She's a whole different person."
"It's good."Ino tries to make light of it."Helps us all out, but still she's hitting dead ends too...which seems to be frustrating her. But she keeps going, like she has some sort of personal vendetta about this whole ordeal. As if it's personal."
Naruto spits out his drink upon Shino. Soaking the silent man, who looks stone look made it hard to tell if he was upset or not, but it got everyone else's attention.
"Sorry..."Naruto apologizes to him. Smiling at him nervously. Shine just stares at him. Feeling eyes on him, he turns to find everyone looking at him."What..."he looks at them dumbfounded.
"Anyway..."Shikamaru gets the attention back upon Ino and Sakura again."You're right on that, she came over a few times to look over my clan's medical book. To see if she could find something new to break down the compounds. But she came up empty handed. She has to at least memorize the whole thing by now..."
" She is even sleeping?"Lee looks on worried.
Sakura shrugs her shoulders."I hope so, she's always there late into the nights..."
"And early mornings..."Hinata throws in, her eyes drop deeply concerned. The others look at her, her eyes remained upon her drink, the waiter came with orders of Dangos for everyone."I've seen her a few times. She's up before the sun even rises...and leaves late into the night."Her fingers curl and tighten together, she stops them from going any further.
"So, she's that devoted."Choji starts to eat."Wow..."
"She did say...she was the last of her family..."Tenten reminds everyone."Remember back at the Hot Springs..."
Everyone thinks back remembering, May's exact words."Yeah...I forgot..."Kiba sighs sadly."Maybe...what happen...has something to do with that...it has to be why she's so ingested into everything."
Naruto looks at everyone assuming and agreeing with what Kiba said. But he knew better...he knew in a sense the real reason...thinking back to what May told him about herself...her life. What she was, and those mutants that came after her. He was able to put two and two together. They were from her home and clearly there was strife, deep strife between them. By the way May used her words and sounded, these people or characters caused her trouble. He wasn't sure how to express this to everyone. He just knew, May was throwing herself at this research for a reason.
Thinking back when she refused to stay at Sunagakure and came here to offer her assistance. Discarding her own well being, he had to commend her for such an act. Still...it made him start to worry..."..."his blue eyes cast deep into, deep thinking. His grip on his cup starts to tighten that it cracked, snapping him out of it. He looks up alertly, feeling the presence of another."... May..."he stands up suddenly, taking the other guard. He didn't know where this feeling came from, but he seems to feel her presence close by, in fact very close."May...?"
"Naruto...what's wrong?"Sakura looks anxiously concerned at her friend.
But he didn't say much except bolt from his seat and rush outside, to find no one there..that was just strange, he was sure he felt her by. "..."his eyes look around for any sign of her. There was nothing there at all. Nothing but the night.