I hope you guys like this one! I thought I'd get more reviews on the last chapter seeing it had some action in it XD
Anyway, on with the story!
Chapter 34: Unwanted Distraction
"Let's stop here."
Koji points at a stream of water. We do need to refill our water bottles. We've been making our way to the tower for the past two hours.
"Want to catch some fish while we're at it?"
Maru playfully suggests. I personally think it'll be fun!
"The more we stall, the more likely we'll run into enemies."
But Koji disagrees, as always. Sometimes I feel like this guy is way too serious. How did he ever end up with someone as superficial as Mari?
Speaking of the devil… Her and her team seem to have had the same idea as us. They're at the opposite end of the lake and don't seem to have noticed us yet.
"Let's go…"
Koji says in a low voice so that they don't hear us.
"Why? We're allies aren't we?"
Maru really wants to take every opportunity to talk to Hana.
"Huh?"
Oh great… Mari and the others spotted us thanks to Maru's loud voice… They make their way over to us. They all look at us with disdain.
"Well, well. Who do we have here?"
Mari sarcastically states. I don't think this is going to end well… Koji pulls me behind him. Is he trying to protect me? This is the first time he actually actively opposes Mari for my sake. Usually he just tries to ignore things. I see Mari frowning.
"Your ex-loser seems to have found a new toy."
As always, Hana doesn't filter any of her words. It's like she's constantly spitting venom every time she opens her mouth. I haven't really talked to her much before, but I've heard her talk to other people.
"Hey, Hana! Did you guys find your two scrolls? If you did, let's head back to the tower together."
I almost face palm in exasperation. Maru just doesn't seem to read the situation. Either that or he just ignores to read it for the sake of his love interest. On top of that, he just told them that we have both scrolls with us.
Jun then puts an arm around Hana's shoulders.
"Hana's mine, you hear me asshole? Don't even look at her if you care for your life."
That's just way too cheesy to even look at. Maru doesn't seem to think so. He actually looks really angry. This is bad. If this goes on, it'll turn into a fight. Then again, why is it bad? This will give me a chance to back at Mari. No! What am I thinking? We're in a foreign land and we should stick together as Sunagakure shinobi. Besides, the mission states that it is absolutely necessary that as many of us make it through to the finals.
"So you losers got your two scrolls already?"
Mari starts closing in on us. Hana and Jun follow her. I take out my kunai, putting myself in a defensive position. Maru and Koji do the same. This causes Mari's group to stop approaching.
"I guess you won't just cooperate and give us the scroll we need."
Mari and Jun take out their kunai as well. Hana takes out her oversized katana. So we have no choice. We have to fight or they're going to take the scroll we worked so hard to get.
"Mari, you've reached a new low."
"Shut up, Kiu! You're the one who keeps ruining my life!"
Mari starts charging at me. I get ready to fend off her attack, but Koji blocks it instead. Mari grunts and glares at him.
"What do you see in her?! She'd rather be around that monster anyway!"
"Keep your mouth shut, Mari."
Koji sounds really angry. That monster? Does she mean Gaara? How can she even call him that?
Maru then suddenly charges at Jun. He throws a bunch of shuriken at the latter who blocks them all with his kunai. Koji then kicks Mari away, jumps back to keep her balance. This is all really getting out of hand. Hana starts joining Jun to fight against Maru. Knowing how fond he is of her, he won't make a move in an attempt to fight her back. I need to help him.
I run over to him and, just in time, fend off Hana's sword. We can't go on with this fight. It'll just end badly. I should use one the jutsu I just got from our previous enemies from Amegakure. And how lucky I am to be right next to a stream of water. I just need to get them to come over the water. I get close to Maru and quickly reach into his weapon pouch, getting the Earth Scroll. I also take out the Heaven Scroll that I was entrusted with.
"This is what you want right?"
I shout at everyone. While getting their attention, I start slowly backing up to reach the lake. I concentrate my chakra to walk on the water's surface.
"Why don't you come and get it then?"
I do a few hand signs and make two Shadow Clones.
"If you can figure out which is the real one."
The three of us say in unison. Of course, that's not really what I'm aiming for. I just need them all to come after a clone, bringing them in the lake.
"You idiot! Get out of there! You'll be cornered!"
Koji's calling me an idiot? He only calls Maru that! Well I'll show him.
"An idiot indeed! Jun, Hana, let's go!"
Just as planned the three of them come at me and my clones. We all quickly put the scrolls in our weapon pouches and quickly weave the hand signs.
"Water Style!"
Now!
"Water Prison Jutsu!"
The water immediately envelops my attackers in three separate domes, each controlled by either me or one of my clones, with one of our hands supplying chakra and control to the water prison.
"Woah!"
Maru can't help but exclaim. Water jutsu is extremely rare in Sunagakure, since there isn't much water around, so it is understandable for him to be surprised to see me use it. I kind of feel lucky to be able to acquire such a jutsu.
"What the…?!"
Hana exclaims, trying to bang her way out of the water prison. It won't work, though. This jutsu is pretty darn solid.
"Kiu! You better let us go or else…"
"Or else what? Admit it, Mari, you're not really in any position to make threats."
Koji and Maru approach me and my clones.
"You gave me a scare when you took the scroll."
Maru pats me on the shoulder.
"I had to do something to stop this meaningless fight."
I then look at Koji.
"Do you have any jutsu that can put them to sleep long enough for us to leave?"
"Yeah, leave it to me."
Ignoring my three prisoners' protests, I nod at Koji.
As soon as he gets ready to blow out a sleeping smoke from his mouth, I make a small opening in the domes.I make sure to hold my breath while doing so. The smoke infiltrates the domes and I immediately close them when they're full enough of it, trapping it inside with them. I take my breath after the air clears up around me.
Jun is immediately knocked out by Koji's jutsu. Mari and Hana try to hold their breath, but, after they reach their limit, they inhale the smoke and get knocked out as well. After making sure that they're not just acting, I release my clones and my water prisons. We lay Mari, Jun, and Hana under a tree, hiding them enough from other ninja.
"Wouldn't want them to be killed…"
Koji sighs. Maru looks at Hana's limp body.
"Why did have to be that way?"
There's actual sadness in his eyes. I didn't think he liked her that much. Is he really that serious about her? His choice in girls is just not that great…
"Anyway, let's go before they wake up. My jutsu won't last long."
"Yeah, you're right."
Once more, we make our way towards the tower. Hopefully it'll be without any more incidents…
How was it? Review and tell me :D
