Insanity rise: Hello again…wait that's getting old…yo, what's up? Yeah, I know I'm crazy. Anyway, thanks for all the reviews, they made me realize how stupid I've been in writing this chapter O.o Anyway, thought I'd write up another chapter for this story cuz you guys seemed to like it! I read over this very carefully so hopefully there aren't any obvious mistakes!This chapter is rather boring but it's better than nothing I guess…I have pretty much this entire story planned out, I just need to get working on it. I tried to make my characters shape in more in this chapter, cuz I'm determined to never mess up like I did again. I think I did a much better job on Tayuya, but keep in mind I'm not one to make my characters swear so Tayuya won't be saying too much. I think I did a better job on Kabuto too, I'll stop making him seem so pathetic, k? Anyway, tell me what you think and don't think I don't appreciate the reviews, they really make my day! (also as you can tell I really like writing about Sakon! huggles) XD

Chapter 7

In a World of Darkness…

Kabuto groaned with pain as his eyes slowly opened, a sudden rush of soreness filling his weary body as he stared up at the cloud-covered sky. He groaned with pain as he sat up, looking around him to find the other sound nin sleeping in the grass. Then, the memories of last night came back to him, his mind suddenly rushing with thoughts as he tried to figure out what had happened. He'd blacked out, he was sure of that, but how had they survived? Glancing about, he saw how the other ninja shivered and whimpered in their sleep, knowing the past night had not been a joyful one. His entire body throbbed with a sore pain as he trembled from the cold, his clothes completely soaked with rain, his hair falling in a wet mess down his shoulders. Sighing, he shook his head, attempting to get the hair out of his face like a dog would its fur, but, as he wasn't a dog, it didn't quite work out…

"Kabuto," he heard a weak voice whimper, realizing he wasn't the only person up. He looked over to see Tayuya's tired face, realizing how exhausted she looked. Tayuya had never been one for vanity, but right now, she was a complete mess, a way she'd never let herself get before. She'd never tried to look impressive, but she hadn't gone around wearing the same exact clothes everyday or without brushing her hair at least. Right now, her hair was soaked stiff, cascading down her shoulders and falling in her face, her face and arms were covered in cuts and scrapes that bled slightly, and her eyes were tired and blood shot. It was obvious her night had not been a pleasant one.

"Good morning Tayuya," Kabuto smiled weakly. Tayuya only scowled.

"Not really," she winced, "you blacked out on us last night."

"I know," Kabuto rubbed the gaping cut in his neck, wincing as he did so, "it still hurts."

"We need to get to a doctor," Tayuya sighed, "at least before that wound gets infected."

"I have no quarrel with that," Kabuto grimaced, an immense pain cutting his words to a point where he could barely speak.

"Sorry we couldn't find a better place to sleep," Tayuya yawned tiredly, " but me and Kidomaru were to tired last night to care if we slept in the rain or not."

"I understand," Kabuto choked, "how are Kimimaru and Sakon?"

"Kimimaru spent everything he had last night fending off those wolves," Tayuya shook her head, "I don't know if he'll even be able to travel today, and Sakon got mauled by those stupid things."

"We should probably wake them up," Kabuto staggered to his feet, rubbing his sore neck but drew back, wincing with pain, "I want to get out of these woods as soon as possible."

"Yeah," Tayuya shrugged, "I never want to see those stupid mutts again."

Kabuto didn't answer her, walking over to Kimimaru and shaking him gently, praying he'd receive an answer. Kimimaru groaned slightly, opening his bloodshot eyes and smiling weakly when he noticed Kabuto. Kabuto could only bite his lip, realizing how weak the other nin appeared.

"Nice to see you made it," Kimimaru rasped, wincing as he did so, his body numb and cold, "that cut on your neck…it looks pretty bad."

"Never mind that," Kabuto scowled, "we're leaving, right now."

"Fine by me," Kimimaru said quietly, slowly sitting up, his body slumped over in exhaustion. Kabuto shook his head slightly, for he knew why Kimimaru looked so weak. It was more than the sickness that would forever plague him, it was the cursed seal, he could tell. Kimimaru didn't say a word as he slowly rose to his feet, wiping the mud from his face with his shirtsleeve. Meanwhile, Kidomaru had also awakened, grumbling about how uncomfortable the forest floor had been, receiving a smart remark from Tayuya. Now they just had to get Sakon awake, then they could be on their way. Kabuto, obviously given the task of waking the others, stepped over to where Sakon lay, eying him peculiarly. Sakon shivered where he lay, his body soaked to the bone with rainwater, covered in cuts and marks where the wolves had torn at him. That's when it him. Why had he seemed so weak last night? Sakon was one of the most elite ninja in Otowagkure, but he'd let those wolves beat him like a child. There was definitely something wrong, a feeling of dread overcoming Kabuto as he gave Sakon a soft kick.

"Sakon," he asked sternly, "wake up."

Sakon didn't answer, more like couldn't. He didn't even hear Kabuto's words, all he could hear was a looming silence, one that hurt him more than a thousand words. His body was completely numb, denying him of all feeling as he lay in a dark world, a realm of pain he couldn't escape. It was as though everything had been robbed of him, leaving nothing but an overcoming darkness that bore down on him until it crushed his weakened body. He felt nothing as Kabuto kicked him again, this time much harder, Kabuto's voice rising to a cry, a silent plea Sakon couldn't hear. His eyes opened wide, but still he saw nothing but darkness, chilling him to the bone. What was wrong with him? He couldn't see anything, feel anything, or even hear as others called out to him, and he knew it, for even as he lay in this overbearing blackness, he knew he wasn't sleeping wasn't dreaming. He couldn't pinch himself to get out of this, would he ever be able to leave this dark place? Thoughts swirled in his head as screamed for his body to wake up, to leave this dark place behind, to open his eyes and see whatever light was left in the world, but he already was…

"SAKON!" Kabuto screamed, kicking so hard that he rolled over onto his stomach. Tayuya came over to see what all the yelling was about, snickering when she noticed Sakon's still figure.

"Never had a chance," she sneered. Kabuto gave her a doubting look, and then suddenly got an idea, reaching into his pocket and praying he'd brought what he was searching for. Tayuya eyed him inquisitively as he took out a small inoculation, giving him a stupid look as he smirked to himself.

"What the heck are you gonna do," she asked dumbly, "put him to sleep?"

"No, you moron," Kabuto answered with a scowl, adding the last part to prove how serious he was, "It's a stimulant."

"So," Tayuya raised an eyebrow, clearly losing what little patience she had.

"So I think Sakon's in the early stages of the disease," Kabuto sighed, looking down at the trembling boy, "this might bring him out of it for a while."

"Whatever," Tayuya shrugged with disdain.

"I just hope we find a doctor soon," Kabuto sighed, kneeling down beside Sakon, "I only brought a few of these with me."

Suddenly, the darkness in Sakon's mind began to clear, as he felt a sharp prick in his neck. His mind raced as the numb feeling surpassed, his body suddenly burning with intense pain. His eyes grew wide as his clouded vision began to clear, seeing the forest floor beneath him. He gasped and jumped up, squealing with pain as he fell to his knees, taking in heavy gasps of air. Then, he heard someone chuckle from behind him, turning his head to see Tayuya and Kabuto.

"At least it worked," Kabuto tossed the inoculation into the dirt carelessly, "come on, we need to get going."

"What…," Sakon took his face in his hands, as though he couldn't believe he'd been freed that dark prison, "what did you do?"

"It's just a simple dosage," Kabuto shook his head and turned away; "hopefully it will keep you moving for the day though."

"Jerk," Tayuya sneered as Kabuto walked off, then turning to Sakon, "you okay?"

"I couldn't…," Sakon shook his head as to clear his thoughts, rising to his feet, "that was really strange."

"You can tell me about it later," Tayuya shrugged, looking back to where the others stood, "right now we need to get going."

"You're right," Sakon sighed, following her as they again began their harrowing journey…