- thank you for the reviews!!!! and sorry for the delay but i've been busy so i havn't had time to upload any stories. I think I'll update one or two stories a week...thanks for the review!!!! -
--- Chapter 4 ---
Kiba stirred. He felt something licking his face. " Stop it Akamaru," he groaned, "I'm alright now." The puppy, barked in delight. Kiba sat up, slowly and painfully. Shaking his head to clear it, he saw Sasuke and Sakura, lying on top of each other. If this was another situation, thought Kiba grimly, I would laugh my head off. He crawled slowly towards them, his legs still too numb to walk.
"Oi, wake up!" he said, gently shaking them awake. They didn't move. Kiba froze. Were they...?
"OI WAKE UP DAMMIT!" he yelled, frightened. Akamaru, sensing something was wrong, walked up to where Sakura lay. Cautiously, he sniffed her hand. BITE
"ArggggGGHHHH!!!" Sakura sat straight up, holding her finger and yelping. She looked at Akamaru, who was meekly backing away. " THAT DAMN DOG!!" she yelled in fury, "I'm gonna get rabies!" Akamaru ran behind Kiba, using him as a shield. Kiba sighed with relief. Sakura, at least was alright. I'm not sure about Sasuke though, he thought, not with Sakura sitting on top of him.
Sakura, finally calming down about her finger, asked, "Where's Sasuke?" Kiba raised an eyebrow up at her. She stared at him, not knowing what he was trying to say. Kiba glanced down. Sakura looked at what Kiba was looking at and jumped up in shock. She turned bright red.
"Don't tell him, when he ' wakes, ok?" begged Sakura. Seeing the embarassment on Sakura's face, he decided not to.
"I won't, anyway- Sasuke he'll wake, for sure?" Sakura nodded looking at Sasuke. Kiba trusted her. After all, she had been taught some basic skills in healing, by the famous Tsunade who was now the Hokage of Konoha. Tsunade was a medical specialist, who was said to have been able to cure any wound.
"He's coming around" whispered Sakura, after awhile. Sasuke was indeed regaining consciousness. He opened his eyes gingerly. moaning he sat up, his back against the wall. Suddenly he remembered.
" Where's that thing?" he demanded, think only about the Itachi look alike monster. "Kiba, where is it?" Sasuke tried to stand up, but his legs buckled underneath his weight.
"Sasuke-kun!" exclaimed Sakura, darting forward, "Please, don't worry about that just yet. Let me heal you first! I'm not good at using my chakra in battle but I can heal your injuries at least." Sasuke shot Sakura a look. She shrank back. He looked away.
"Yeah, that's true. You can't do anything but heal..." he scowled. Sakura felt as if she had just been slapped. She just stared at Sasuke, with tears in her eyes. Kiba was trying to pretend he wasn't there. Sasuke glanced at Sakura's pained face.
"Sorry." he apologized, though he clearly was not. Sakura bit her lip. Timidly walked up to him. She streched her shaking hand towards him. He stiffened. She stopped instantly. Sasuke tutted, then relaxed. Her hand touched him on the shoulder. Blue chakra streamed out of her palm into Sasuke. Kiba saw Sasuke's wounds heal instantly right before his eyes. She's good, he thought to himself.
When she had done, she moved away from Sasuke. She looked at Kiba, questioning. He shook his head.
"I'm fine, but do you think that you could look at Akamaru?"
"I- I'll try."she answered, surprised by his request. Sakura picked up Akamaru, slowly. Akamaru, whined, then licked her finger where he bit her before. He barked an apology. At least the dog is sorry, she thought bitterly, feeling fresh tears stinging her eyes. She hastily wiped them away. She placed her hands on Akamaru's head. As blue chakra came out once again, Akamaru slumpted.
"Akamaru?" gasped Kiba. He looked at Sakura with wide eyes. Before he could shout at her she said softly without looking up from Akamaru's body-
"I put him to sleep so he won't feel the pain when I heal his broken hind leg." Kiba had nothing to say to that but he watched on with anxiety. At last Sakura handed the dog back to it's master. Kiba tenderly stroked Akamaru's soft fur.
" Thank you...Sakura."
Sakura merely nodded. All of a sudden Sakura's world spun. She gasped and sat down hard on her backside. She held her temples in pain.
"Sakura? What's wrong?" asked Kiba looking up from his beloved dog, his eyes dark with worry. When she didn't reply he repeated, "Sakura?"
"I used up too much Chakra..." she explained, as her vision turned blurry. She used the cave walls to support herself up.
"I'm fine," she went on, her voice shaky, "let's find Ino- arhhh!!" Sakura cried out in pain. She crumpled to the floor. In the distance she heard Sasuke mutter in disgust-
"Weak shit. Holding us up." Sakura felt she had been slapped for the second time. Now she could not control her flowing tears. She was on her hands and knees, head down and her hair messed up. Drip drip Kiba gave Sasuke a dirty look.
"What's your problem? he demanded, angry at Sasuke's attitude. "She just healed you! At least say thank you!" Sasuke gave Kiba a dirty look. Sakura sniffed, and looked up at Sasuke. Her eyes were swollen and red from crying.
"Wha- what's with you? Why are you being- so cold?" she whispered, her voice wobbling. Her pink hair was plastered over her face. She looked like a mess. Sasuke didn't answer. He just looked away in disgust.
"Tell me- tell me what I've done wrong, Sasuke! And I'll change! I'm sorry!" Sakura went on, shakily," I'll do anything for you!"
Kiba looked from Sakura to Sasuke, who's back was turned. He decide to leave them alone. Gently he picked up Akamaru and walked off into the distance. Sasuke still didn't say anything but he could feel Sakura standing up, using the wall as support.
In a pained voice she continued,"When we were at the academy, it was just a crush... but now- now I... I think I..no wait... I know that I love you!" There was silence as Sakura's tears continued to fall. She then felt her world go black.
Hearing Sakura falling to the floor, Sasuke closed his eyes and grinded his teeth together. He fell back on the wall behind him and gradually sunk to the ground. He hugged his knees.
I'm sorry Sakura, he thought banging his head back on to the rocks behind him, I love you too, but I can't tell you that. Itachi could be anywhere here and if he knows that you're someone I care for- then your life will be in danger too. This is a sacrafice I have to make. It should be me that should be apologizing- I'm sorry, Sakura...
With all the healing she did on him, Sasuke felt a little fatigue. He groaned holding his head. And with that he fell to the floor. Sasuke was right. Itachi was in the tunnels and he was definetly listening to their conversation. So that Sakura girl likes Sasuke then ,ehh? he chuckled. Hmmm, she would be a good tool...
--- Team 1 ---
Grumbling about how unfair Shino and Shikamaru were treating him, Naruto strolled back from putting up the traps. When he walked back Shikamaru looked up, amused.
"Huh? What's so funny, Shikamaru?" asked Naruto, scowling.
"Heh, it took you a whole half an hour just to set up two traps?"
Naruto reddened slightly. Scratching the back of his head he said, "Well, it was going alright but I uhh.. accidently got tangled in the wire and then i couldn't untangle it in the light." He said this while gesturing to the flimsy light that shone through between the cracks of the tunnel. Naruto made to sit next to Hinata but when he saw Shikamaru there, he just frowned and sat next to Shino. There was silence. At last Hinata timidly spoke up.
"Shikamaru thinks we should stay the night... Is that ok, Naruto?" Naruto's frown deepened when he heard this but didn't say anything. He gave Shikamaru a questioning look. Shikamaru shrugged and then replied,"We all need rest. Even if you don't."
He does have a point, thought Naruto to himself, not that I care about him being tired but Hinata... His thoughts trailed off. "sure. We'll stay." He paused awhile then continued, "if that's ok with you Shino..." Shino nodded.
So for the rest of the night Hinata, Shikamaru, Naruto and Shino took turns watching for enemies while the others slept. Shikamaru took the first watch. Troublesome yet nice and quiet with Naruto sleeping and not speaking. He sighed and looked up into the roof of the cave. Shikamaru liked watching the clouds when he was bored. Now there were ugly rocks obstructing the way so instead he thought about the task they were given.
No sign of danger yet, well at least not for us, he thought remembering Sakura's scream. Shikamaru decided that he couldn't do anything about that and tried to imagine what the other side of the tunnel lay. At last he woke Shino , so he could get some sleep. One by one they took turns watching over, until the sun rose and the cave was streaked with wispy morning light.
Hinata, who was the last person to be woken, shivered. Theres a forboding feeling about this place, she thought. Once the light had shone through, she gently shook Shino, Shikamaru and Naruto awake. She smiled when she saw Naruto sleeping. His blonde hair was messed up and he was drooling. When Hinata tapped him on his shoulder he merely flopped over. Shikamaru yawned and streched, while Shino sat up and rubbed his eyes.
"Didn't you wake Naruto, Hinata?"asked Shino, looking at Naruto and frowning.
"I did- but he won't wake."
"Sheesshh. What a troublesome guy." muttered Shikamaru. He walked over to where Naruto was sleeping and kicked him in the ribs. Naruto groaned but did not wake up. Shikamaru was about to kick him again, this time even harder when Shino stopped him.
"Let me."he grinned. Shikamaru was about to say something but Shino put his hands to his lips. Shikamaru closed his mouth. Shino crouched down and a single bug crawled out of his palm. Then he guided the bug on to Naruto. Shino stepped back. A moment later Naruto jumped up, laughing.
"hahahahhahaha..there's - there's something tickling me- hahahahahha!"
"Nice one Shino!"laughed Shikamaru, patting him on the back. Only when Naruto had calmed down did they start heading off again. They were at it for nearly half a day when Hinata stopped. Both Naruto and Shikamaru rushed to Hinata's side at once.
"What is it? Are you hurt?" they asked in unison, then breaking off to give each other glares. Hinata just shook her head and pointed ahead. Shino, Shikamaru and Naruto all turned to look. In the distance, not one kilometre away, was the end of the tunnel. They could all see the bright light shining into the cave.
"We made it!!!" shouted Naruto, puching the air. "Let's go!" He started running, with the others not far behind him. When they were near the exit did Shikamaru have a sudden thought. It's a trap...
He was right because the next second a metal cage came crashing down on them.
- hehehe i just love cliffehangers... lol i wonder whats going to happen next? hmmm? oh and theres not going to be a ShikaHina scene for quite some bit.. at least myb not until they get out... well thats if they do....hehehe-
--- Chapter 4 ---
Kiba stirred. He felt something licking his face. " Stop it Akamaru," he groaned, "I'm alright now." The puppy, barked in delight. Kiba sat up, slowly and painfully. Shaking his head to clear it, he saw Sasuke and Sakura, lying on top of each other. If this was another situation, thought Kiba grimly, I would laugh my head off. He crawled slowly towards them, his legs still too numb to walk.
"Oi, wake up!" he said, gently shaking them awake. They didn't move. Kiba froze. Were they...?
"OI WAKE UP DAMMIT!" he yelled, frightened. Akamaru, sensing something was wrong, walked up to where Sakura lay. Cautiously, he sniffed her hand. BITE
"ArggggGGHHHH!!!" Sakura sat straight up, holding her finger and yelping. She looked at Akamaru, who was meekly backing away. " THAT DAMN DOG!!" she yelled in fury, "I'm gonna get rabies!" Akamaru ran behind Kiba, using him as a shield. Kiba sighed with relief. Sakura, at least was alright. I'm not sure about Sasuke though, he thought, not with Sakura sitting on top of him.
Sakura, finally calming down about her finger, asked, "Where's Sasuke?" Kiba raised an eyebrow up at her. She stared at him, not knowing what he was trying to say. Kiba glanced down. Sakura looked at what Kiba was looking at and jumped up in shock. She turned bright red.
"Don't tell him, when he ' wakes, ok?" begged Sakura. Seeing the embarassment on Sakura's face, he decided not to.
"I won't, anyway- Sasuke he'll wake, for sure?" Sakura nodded looking at Sasuke. Kiba trusted her. After all, she had been taught some basic skills in healing, by the famous Tsunade who was now the Hokage of Konoha. Tsunade was a medical specialist, who was said to have been able to cure any wound.
"He's coming around" whispered Sakura, after awhile. Sasuke was indeed regaining consciousness. He opened his eyes gingerly. moaning he sat up, his back against the wall. Suddenly he remembered.
" Where's that thing?" he demanded, think only about the Itachi look alike monster. "Kiba, where is it?" Sasuke tried to stand up, but his legs buckled underneath his weight.
"Sasuke-kun!" exclaimed Sakura, darting forward, "Please, don't worry about that just yet. Let me heal you first! I'm not good at using my chakra in battle but I can heal your injuries at least." Sasuke shot Sakura a look. She shrank back. He looked away.
"Yeah, that's true. You can't do anything but heal..." he scowled. Sakura felt as if she had just been slapped. She just stared at Sasuke, with tears in her eyes. Kiba was trying to pretend he wasn't there. Sasuke glanced at Sakura's pained face.
"Sorry." he apologized, though he clearly was not. Sakura bit her lip. Timidly walked up to him. She streched her shaking hand towards him. He stiffened. She stopped instantly. Sasuke tutted, then relaxed. Her hand touched him on the shoulder. Blue chakra streamed out of her palm into Sasuke. Kiba saw Sasuke's wounds heal instantly right before his eyes. She's good, he thought to himself.
When she had done, she moved away from Sasuke. She looked at Kiba, questioning. He shook his head.
"I'm fine, but do you think that you could look at Akamaru?"
"I- I'll try."she answered, surprised by his request. Sakura picked up Akamaru, slowly. Akamaru, whined, then licked her finger where he bit her before. He barked an apology. At least the dog is sorry, she thought bitterly, feeling fresh tears stinging her eyes. She hastily wiped them away. She placed her hands on Akamaru's head. As blue chakra came out once again, Akamaru slumpted.
"Akamaru?" gasped Kiba. He looked at Sakura with wide eyes. Before he could shout at her she said softly without looking up from Akamaru's body-
"I put him to sleep so he won't feel the pain when I heal his broken hind leg." Kiba had nothing to say to that but he watched on with anxiety. At last Sakura handed the dog back to it's master. Kiba tenderly stroked Akamaru's soft fur.
" Thank you...Sakura."
Sakura merely nodded. All of a sudden Sakura's world spun. She gasped and sat down hard on her backside. She held her temples in pain.
"Sakura? What's wrong?" asked Kiba looking up from his beloved dog, his eyes dark with worry. When she didn't reply he repeated, "Sakura?"
"I used up too much Chakra..." she explained, as her vision turned blurry. She used the cave walls to support herself up.
"I'm fine," she went on, her voice shaky, "let's find Ino- arhhh!!" Sakura cried out in pain. She crumpled to the floor. In the distance she heard Sasuke mutter in disgust-
"Weak shit. Holding us up." Sakura felt she had been slapped for the second time. Now she could not control her flowing tears. She was on her hands and knees, head down and her hair messed up. Drip drip Kiba gave Sasuke a dirty look.
"What's your problem? he demanded, angry at Sasuke's attitude. "She just healed you! At least say thank you!" Sasuke gave Kiba a dirty look. Sakura sniffed, and looked up at Sasuke. Her eyes were swollen and red from crying.
"Wha- what's with you? Why are you being- so cold?" she whispered, her voice wobbling. Her pink hair was plastered over her face. She looked like a mess. Sasuke didn't answer. He just looked away in disgust.
"Tell me- tell me what I've done wrong, Sasuke! And I'll change! I'm sorry!" Sakura went on, shakily," I'll do anything for you!"
Kiba looked from Sakura to Sasuke, who's back was turned. He decide to leave them alone. Gently he picked up Akamaru and walked off into the distance. Sasuke still didn't say anything but he could feel Sakura standing up, using the wall as support.
In a pained voice she continued,"When we were at the academy, it was just a crush... but now- now I... I think I..no wait... I know that I love you!" There was silence as Sakura's tears continued to fall. She then felt her world go black.
Hearing Sakura falling to the floor, Sasuke closed his eyes and grinded his teeth together. He fell back on the wall behind him and gradually sunk to the ground. He hugged his knees.
I'm sorry Sakura, he thought banging his head back on to the rocks behind him, I love you too, but I can't tell you that. Itachi could be anywhere here and if he knows that you're someone I care for- then your life will be in danger too. This is a sacrafice I have to make. It should be me that should be apologizing- I'm sorry, Sakura...
With all the healing she did on him, Sasuke felt a little fatigue. He groaned holding his head. And with that he fell to the floor. Sasuke was right. Itachi was in the tunnels and he was definetly listening to their conversation. So that Sakura girl likes Sasuke then ,ehh? he chuckled. Hmmm, she would be a good tool...
--- Team 1 ---
Grumbling about how unfair Shino and Shikamaru were treating him, Naruto strolled back from putting up the traps. When he walked back Shikamaru looked up, amused.
"Huh? What's so funny, Shikamaru?" asked Naruto, scowling.
"Heh, it took you a whole half an hour just to set up two traps?"
Naruto reddened slightly. Scratching the back of his head he said, "Well, it was going alright but I uhh.. accidently got tangled in the wire and then i couldn't untangle it in the light." He said this while gesturing to the flimsy light that shone through between the cracks of the tunnel. Naruto made to sit next to Hinata but when he saw Shikamaru there, he just frowned and sat next to Shino. There was silence. At last Hinata timidly spoke up.
"Shikamaru thinks we should stay the night... Is that ok, Naruto?" Naruto's frown deepened when he heard this but didn't say anything. He gave Shikamaru a questioning look. Shikamaru shrugged and then replied,"We all need rest. Even if you don't."
He does have a point, thought Naruto to himself, not that I care about him being tired but Hinata... His thoughts trailed off. "sure. We'll stay." He paused awhile then continued, "if that's ok with you Shino..." Shino nodded.
So for the rest of the night Hinata, Shikamaru, Naruto and Shino took turns watching for enemies while the others slept. Shikamaru took the first watch. Troublesome yet nice and quiet with Naruto sleeping and not speaking. He sighed and looked up into the roof of the cave. Shikamaru liked watching the clouds when he was bored. Now there were ugly rocks obstructing the way so instead he thought about the task they were given.
No sign of danger yet, well at least not for us, he thought remembering Sakura's scream. Shikamaru decided that he couldn't do anything about that and tried to imagine what the other side of the tunnel lay. At last he woke Shino , so he could get some sleep. One by one they took turns watching over, until the sun rose and the cave was streaked with wispy morning light.
Hinata, who was the last person to be woken, shivered. Theres a forboding feeling about this place, she thought. Once the light had shone through, she gently shook Shino, Shikamaru and Naruto awake. She smiled when she saw Naruto sleeping. His blonde hair was messed up and he was drooling. When Hinata tapped him on his shoulder he merely flopped over. Shikamaru yawned and streched, while Shino sat up and rubbed his eyes.
"Didn't you wake Naruto, Hinata?"asked Shino, looking at Naruto and frowning.
"I did- but he won't wake."
"Sheesshh. What a troublesome guy." muttered Shikamaru. He walked over to where Naruto was sleeping and kicked him in the ribs. Naruto groaned but did not wake up. Shikamaru was about to kick him again, this time even harder when Shino stopped him.
"Let me."he grinned. Shikamaru was about to say something but Shino put his hands to his lips. Shikamaru closed his mouth. Shino crouched down and a single bug crawled out of his palm. Then he guided the bug on to Naruto. Shino stepped back. A moment later Naruto jumped up, laughing.
"hahahahhahaha..there's - there's something tickling me- hahahahahha!"
"Nice one Shino!"laughed Shikamaru, patting him on the back. Only when Naruto had calmed down did they start heading off again. They were at it for nearly half a day when Hinata stopped. Both Naruto and Shikamaru rushed to Hinata's side at once.
"What is it? Are you hurt?" they asked in unison, then breaking off to give each other glares. Hinata just shook her head and pointed ahead. Shino, Shikamaru and Naruto all turned to look. In the distance, not one kilometre away, was the end of the tunnel. They could all see the bright light shining into the cave.
"We made it!!!" shouted Naruto, puching the air. "Let's go!" He started running, with the others not far behind him. When they were near the exit did Shikamaru have a sudden thought. It's a trap...
He was right because the next second a metal cage came crashing down on them.
- hehehe i just love cliffehangers... lol i wonder whats going to happen next? hmmm? oh and theres not going to be a ShikaHina scene for quite some bit.. at least myb not until they get out... well thats if they do....hehehe-