Don't own it!

Chapter Twenty: Journey underground

The potion Lupe had given the injured had done it's job; Sakura's arm had mended without a trace and so did Kakashi's injuries, even the ones Imako had given him, though these left very light scaring that would fade away in a few weeks. Needless to say everyone was ready for travel with the break of morning. Fang and Snowpaw gave the ninja a pack of dried meat and some water skins, while Lupe and Howler fished around for some spare fur cloaks they could give them. They had informed Kakashi that the fastest way to the other side was through the mountain, but it would be very cold. By the time everything was packed and ready it was clear Imako didn't outright ignore Kakashi, but she did keep her distance of him.

"We apologize again for attacking you and wish you a safe journey," said Lupe.

"Thanks for the supplies and info," said Kakashi.

The Genin said their goodbyes and everyone was on their way.

"But Master Kakashi, how will we see down here?" asked Naruto as they walked further away from the light of the outside and deeper into the mountain.

"The same way we are now," Kakashi said simply.

Naruto questioningly looked to Sakura who in turn pointed up. Following her finger he looked up to the ceiling. Large shards of ice penetrated through the rock, giving a soft bluish-white glow.

"It's not much, but we'll see enough," said Kakashi.

He glanced over to Imako who was walking behind Naruto. She was too preoccupied to notice though, enabling him to watch her for a while. But then she did notice and looked up. Had Kakashi not turned away so fast he would have seen the slight blush creep into her face.

'What is wrong with me?' Imako asked herself. 'This is ridiculous!'

Again the unfamiliar feeling crept through her body. She felt oddly drawn to the Jonin...but that was nonsense. She shook it off and resumed staring at the floor. She still had to find a way to escape from them. Had she the demon's powers it would be an easy feat; but as it was now, Kakashi was stronger, faster and way to observing. She cursed herself; she should have left them when the Wulfen Brothers had attacked.

"Damn Kyuubi," she muttered.

Naruto turned and walked backwards.

"Hey, what's your problem now? I didn't even do anything!" he said grumbled. "You o.k.?"

Imako glared at him.

"Mind your own business and watch where you're going."

Three days they've been walking with nothing but the faint glow to light their way and it had gotten very cold and somewhat slippery. Everyone donned their fur cloaks to keep warm. As the path went on it rose and fell, spiraled and curved; sometimes ending abruptly to leave them climbing up or down to reach the next path. The dried meat given to them was pretty tasty and filling. Silence mostly dominated the journey unless Kakashi gave an order or someone had a question and aside of bats every now and then they were pretty much alone in the vast caverns. The light was slowly receding, signaling the coming of night and as there was no way of going on in pitch blackness, Kakashi called for a stop to set up camp. They ate a little and made themselves as comfortable as one could on stone and in a few minutes they'd be plunged into complete darkness. Even in the blackness, Kakashi was alert and Imako knew she had no chance of slipping away when she herself couldn't see a thing. But then for some reason she began to wonder if she should go at all...

"How much longer will this take?" whined Naruto during the next day's trek. "And how do you even know where going the right way?"

"I just do," Kakashi waved off.

"But it's so dull!" persisted Naruto. "Where are all the enemies? I want some action!"

"Be grateful Naruto!" reprimanded Sakura. "Unlike you I would like to get back home before the turn of the century!"

"It has been a long time," muttered the blond. "I could really go for some ramen."

"The first thing I'll do when I get home is have a nice, long, relaxing bath!" sighed Sakura.

Though he didn't voice it, even Sasuke was wishing he were back in Konohagakure for a change. The group walked on for a few more hours before coming to a stop at the edge of a vast chasm. The thunder of an unseen river was heard below in the dark.

"Now what?" asked Naruto.

"We head over that bridge," said Kakashi pointing to the far right.

The blond followed his Master's finger and spotted a long, narrow passing made of slick ice.

"That thing can't possibly hold us!" gasped Sakura.

'Send Naruto to check,' snickered Inner Sakura.

"It's the only way across according to Lupe," said Kakashi. "We'll just go slow and keep an eye on the ice."

The passing was so narrow the group had to go single file with Kakashi at the front and Imako in the rear. The advancement was very slow as Kakashi carefully probed the ice before taking his steps. He was so focused on the ice that he didn't notice Imako wasn't following. The others were too focused on keeping their balance themselves giving her the opportune moment to escape. Halfway across Kakashi stopped and crouched down shortly.

"There's a weak spot here," he said without turning. "Wait here."

He jumped out of his crouch as far as he figured the Genin could jump and touched down on all four like a graceful cat to balance out his weight. He held his breath and listened. When he didn't fall through he stood and turned.

"It's alright, you can—hey, where's I—"

CRACK

Before Kakashi could finish the ice did crack beneath him and he fell through. With lightning speed he grabbed a kunai from his pouch and thrust it into the ice to give him a hold. The entire portion he had just jumped fell away, hitting the river with a loud splash. The water sprayed onto the bridge, so the drop wasn't as deep as the darkness led on.

"Crap," cursed Kakashi unable to pull himself up on the slick ice.

"Master Kakashi!"

Imako hadn't rounded the first corner when she heard the bridge hit the water and the Genin's worried shouts.

"Imako!"

Imako held on to the loose Kunai with one hand as she dangled over a very deep plunge into a rocky death.

"Iruka! Kakashi!!" she cried.

Her kunai came loose, but just as she started to fall the silver haired boy grabbed her wrist. Had Iruka not grabbed his ankles they both would have fallen.

"Hang on Imako," called Iruka as he strained to pull both back up.

"Give me your other hand," said Kakashi as he reached for it.

"I can't," sobbed Imako.

"Yes you can, now give me your hand!" ordered Kakashi.

Both cried out as they almost fell, but Iruka refused to give up and held on with all his might.

"Let go sempai!" she said as her tears made it almost impossible to see right. "Let go or we're all going to die!"

"I won't!" barked Kakashi. "Now stop crying and give me your hand!"

"Hurry!" groaned Iruka. "I'm slipping!"

"I won't let you go Imako!" said Kakashi. "I told you I'd protect you! If you go we go!"

Something clicked inside of her and she turned back without thinking. She ran and jumped over the Genin's heads and landed in front of Kakashi, slipping on the wet ice and hitting her head. She quickly recovered with tears in the corners of her eyes and grabbed the Jonin's wrist just as the kunai came loose. With her other hand she grabbed the shoulder of his vest. His weight was pulling her down, but her hands wouldn't open to let him drop.

"What are you waiting for, pull yourself up!" she growled straining to keep from sliding over.

"If I do I'll pull you down," said the Jonin. "Now let go before we both fall!"

"I'm not letting you go," snarled Imako. "If you're going to die it will be by my hand!"

Thinking fast her eyes landed on the kunai in Kakashi's hand.

"Give me your weapon!" she ordered.

Kakashi shortly searched her eyes, but murder was not what he saw and he gave it to her, trying to hold onto the ice as she let go of his vest. With the kunai in her hand she realized this was her chance. She raised the weapon, staring into his eye.

'Kill him once and for all!'

The Kunai came down hard and imbedded itself in the ice.

"I can't... I won't," she whispered.

Imako undid her cloak and fumbled to tie it to the kunai's hilt. This would provide her with firm footing once she got it underneath herself.

"Just hold on." She told Kakashi.

Imako finally got it done and awkwardly shifted into a sitting position to start and pull him up, taking hold of his other arm. Now that there was minimal risk of pulling her down, Kakashi tried his best to pull himself up. Both felt like their arms were about to rip off. The Genin watching form the other side saw neither could really manage and unanimously jumped the gap to help. But the bridge had already considerably weakened and just as they wanted to help, the rest of it broke away, sending them falling into the darkness.

Another chapter, another cliffy... oh I'm so mean lol. But the weekend is just a day away and I'll have more time to type, so rejoice my friends, it won't take long. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and look forward to hearing from you. And thank you for your most wonderful and funny reviews! I am so happy to hear so many of you like this (some more than others squeal lol). It makes it so much more fun tow write. Well, time for me to hit the hay. Good night y'all

Later days, Imako the Demon Wolf