*Chapter 4*
They found Mizuko sitting patiently on a cluster of overgrown roots. Impressive in size, they were massive and growing in all directions. The tree they belonged to was even more so, making their sister look insignificant beside it. When the two of them leaped down from the branches, there was no ground to land on. The whole area seemed to be completely overrun by this one tree, its roots covering the forest floor. When they landed on them, Akari glanced down at the crevices as she tried to see the bottom. She saw nothing but darkness, the roots having created a deep cavern beneath them.
"There you are, my children!" She rose to her feet at their approach.
Akari grimaced at her mocking motherly tone, Riko rolling his eyes at his twin. Their sister just chuckled, a proud look on her face.
"Looks like I won." She smirked.
Akari instantly took offense, crossing her arms with a glare. Riko just seemed to accept it, choosing to sit down with a defeated sigh.
"Oh, that's not fair! No one said it was a competition!" Akari pouted.
"It's always a competition among siblings, sister dear." Mizuko stated.
Akari grumbled to herself, suddenly wishing she had given up Squad 7. Friends they may be, but she really hated losing. Especially against Mizuko, the older girl prone to gloating at the most annoying of times. Riko and Akari still had to hear about the rock skipping contest they had a few years back. Mizuko never lets them forget it, she was just that type of girl.
"Alright, victory is yours. Can we get on with it?" Riko said.
His legs dangled between the intertwined roots, resting back on his hands. His head was leaned back, his gaze on the canopy above them. Akari glanced up, wondering what he was looking at so intently. She saw nothing but leaves, the evening sky barely visible through the branches. Not blue, but a swirl of reds and oranges.
"The sun is setting." She realized.
Mizuko looked up as well, her expression serious again.
"Exactly. I don't know about you guys, but I'd rather not get caught walking around this place after dark." Riko continued.
"That would not be ideal, no." Mizuko shook her head.
Thankfully, they had yet to encounter any of the man-eating beasts. There was no telling whether they'd be so lucky once night fell. There was also the other candidates to worry about. There was bound to be a squad or two waiting to use the dark as cover. They'd have to find a place to hide away for the night if they wanted to avoid any messy encounters.
"So, where are they then? The targets?" Akari asked.
"Just a few clicks north. I watched them long enough to know they won't be moving on for a while. I think one of them had a run in with one of the wild beasts. His leg is shredded, they have no choice but to tend to it."
Mizuko stared off in the direction of the targets, a sinister grin on her lips. Akari understood her excitement, her spirits rising at her sisters words. How fortunate for them, to have found a squad already weakened by the forest. It was always a good feeling to have the advantage.
"So what are we waiting for?! Lets get us a scroll!" Riko grinned, jumping back on his feet.
No sooner than he'd spoken, something came crashing through the branches above them. Caught by surprise, they were too slow to react. Their attacker landing softly between them, only to quickly tackle Mizuko at the waist. The two crashing through the roots, disappearing down below and out of sight.
"Mizuko!" Riko screamed.
Akari was quick to try and dive after her. Still in shock at the sudden ambush. Before she could take the plunge, hoping to save her sister, a gust of wind lifted her off her feet. She didn't even get the chance to cry out, her body rising only to be launched against the tree trunk. Pain coursing through her from the impact, a sickening crunch ringing in her ears.
Akari then began to slide down the tree, too dazed to do anything about it. She hit the roots with another painful smack before falling between the cracks. She fell a few feet, landing harshly against the forest floor. A whimper escaping her lips, her body throbbing from the abuse. This wasn't like the last time, she knew. The pain far more intense than the fall she had experienced earlier that day.
Still, she knew better than to allow herself to pass out. Akari forced herself to stay awake, blinking her eyes open. She was confused for a moment, seeing only darkness. Having landed on her side, she slowly pushed herself up to sit. One of her wrists immediately buckled beneath her and she slipped back to the ground. Groaning, she rolled on her back as she clutched her hand to her chest. She couldn't tell if it was broken or fractured but she prayed for the latter.
Akari looked up, seeing dim rays of light streaming down. She was in the cavern of roots, she realized. The plants having grown in a sort of dome, layers upon layers now standing between her and the surface. A few of them shot up from the ground, creating its own forest of sorts. Some of the roots nearly thick enough to be considered trees themselves. Akari grimaced, feeling caged in.
A shout.
She shot up from the ground, forcing herself to her feet. Her bruised body screaming from the movement but she ignored it. Akari recognized that voice all too well. Riko.
It had come from above, her brother now all alone up there. Now that Akari was on full alert, she could hear sounds of fighting somewhere deep in the cavern. Mizuko had landed not to far from where she was, caught in battle with her attacker. The sound of steel meeting steel ringing in the dark space around her. Akari pulled a bandage from her pouch, wrapping her wrist with quick efficiency. It was the best she could do for now.
Then she was taking a leap, landing on the root nearest to the floor. The thickness of it allowing her to stand firmly atop it. She had chosen to go to Riko first, hoping her sister could hold her own. As she got ready to make another jump, she sensed another presence. This time she was prepared, diving out of the way of another wind attack. She rolled, coming back up into a crouch with her kunai in hand. Glaring at the Hidden Sand ninja standing before her, the girl with the fan.
"Oh. You actually managed to dodge this time." The girl smirked.
"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…" Akari trailed off, point made.
The girl just chuckled, lifting her fan above her head. Not having any space to maneuver, Akari had no choice but to drop back to the ground. The girls third attack completely shattering the root she had been standing on.
"We're not equals you and I. I'm sure you're smart enough to know that." The girl called down to her.
Akari's jaw clenched with fury, feeling herself get heated. She rose from the crouch she had landed in, glaring up at her opponent with naked hostility.
"You can't beat me. You can't beat him. Tell me which of you has the scroll and nobody has to die." The girl continued.
Akari replied by throwing a cluster of shuriken, the pointed stars whizzing through the air. The girl closed her fan, using the guard of it to block them. She used this chance to dive into the shadows, using the roots shooting from the ground as cover. Silently, Akari began her silent prowl.
"Come on, now. I'm trying to show mercy here. Trust me, you don't want to leave your brother alone with him for much longer." The girl shouted.
Akari bristled at the mention of Riko, realizing these people had been watching them for a while. The three of them oblivious to their presence. Still, she kept moving. Her feet making no sound as she navigated through the dark, avoiding the few rays of light bleeding through. They were beginning to dim, she realized. Soon enough, they'd be covered in complete darkness. The first day was up.
"Well look at that. You're actually pretty good at hide and seek. What a surprise."
The girls voice was closer, having moved from her spot up above. She had joined Akari on the ground now, hoping to catch her somehow. Akari froze, crouching behind a root when she heard the flap of the fan. Followed by a crash as a tunnel of wind demolished through a cluster of the plants. Thankfully, the attack had been aimed far from where she hid. She waited a moment before continuing.
"I know you're still down here, I'll tear through these roots all night if I have to."
Akari could see her, the girl standing just a few feet away. She was circling her carefully, watching, waiting. Her eyes occasionally flickering up, focused on the fading light.
"Damn it! I don't have time for this! Show your…"
Akari rose her hands, forming the Ram seal. The last trace of daylight had disappeared, darkness enveloping them. Before the Sand genin could think to react, Akari had finished gathering her chakra.
"Body Flicker."
In a mere second, Akari appeared behind the girl. Her opponent seemed to sense her at the last moment, swinging her fan backwards. They were both blind, completely covered in darkness. Still, Akari was able to raise her uninjured hand and block the fan. Though her palm now stung from the blow. Quickly, she took hold and tugged. Yanking the weapon from the girls grip and tossing it away.
"No!" The girl cried out.
Akari felt her trying to move away. She refused to let her, reaching out to grab her from the front of her shirt. Bracing herself, she twisted her body and tossed the girl over her shoulder. Slamming her hard against the ground. The girl let out a huff as the air was knocked out of her.
But her victory was short lived, the Sand ninja bringing her foot up to kick Akari in the stomach. She was knocked back, stumbling and falling to the ground. Ignoring another wave of pain, she didn't waste any time in getting back up. Neither had her opponent, both of them back on their feet.
They jumped backwards, trying to put distance between each other. Akari blinked in the darkness, trying to get her eyes to adjust. She could see vague shapes, blind to her opponents whereabouts. She siphoned more chakra to her feet, making her footsteps silent once more. Keeping low, she began to move. Trying to sense where the other girl had gone.
Another shout.
Akari froze, her blood running cold. A gasp had escaped her lips at the sound, her head tilted back to look up above. Her brother's cry of pain distracting her.
Then Akari was the one crying out, a heavy blow hitting her hard against her side. It knocked her aside, sending her to the ground and sliding roughly against it. She didn't need to check to know she had broken a rib this time. The searing pain making her breathless. It had punctured something, the taste of blood in her mouth as the warm liquid rose up her throat.
"I warned you. You should've walked away."
Akari spat at the floor before wiping at her lips with the back of her hand. Then she was trying to rise, only for the girl shove her back down. The tip of her fan pressing harshly against Akari's back. The shame rose up within her, knowing she had lost. She couldn't even give her opponent one last defying glare, unable to even see her face.
"Go on. Search me then." Akari growled.
She could do nothing as the girl crouched down, the hand not holding the fan digging into her pouch. The fact that she didn't have the scroll being the only satisfaction Akari would get. She let out a harsh chuckle when the girl cursed under her breath.
"You shouldn't be so smug. My brothers aren't as kind as I am. They'll kill your family to get that scroll." The Sand ninja hissed in her ear.
Akari's blood turned cold, tensing at the girls words. From her tone, it was clear she spoke only the truth. Fearing for the twins, she began to struggle again. Working to shove the girl away from her. She didn't have to try very hard, the girl stepping back and letting her stand. Akari clutched her side, spitting out another glob of blood. Her eyes flickering in the darkness, not quite sure if the girl was still nearby.
"We're looking for a Heaven scroll."
Akari turned to the voice, the Sand Ninja sounding farther away. She moved to approach it, wincing when her broken rib dug into her side. The break in her wrist throbbing now, the bandage doing nothing for it. If this was the state the girl had left her in, she couldn't begin to imagine how her siblings were faring against their opponents.
"Call them off! We're carrying an Earth scroll!" She cried into the dark.
There was a moment of silence. Akari fearing that the girl was gone. But then there came a reply.
"Are you lying to me?"
The Sand ninja's tone was threatening. Akari knew that if she were anything but truthful, the girl wouldn't hesitate to cause more damage. These people were not to be taken lightly, this had been made painfully clear.
"No. We can show it to you. Just take me to my brother." Akari told her.
Another brief silence. Then there was suddenly a hand gripping her arm tightly. Every nerve in her body flaring, Akari's instincts crying out for her to react, to defend herself somehow. She forced herself to ignore them, knowing her opponent was far to skilled to handle on her own. So, with her pride in shambles, she allowed the girl to yank her roughly through the dark. Akari thought they'd continue this way, navigating blind. Instead, she blinked as a light hit her eyes. The girl using a jutsu to create a floating ball of light in her palm. They walked in silence after that.
Just a few moments later, they had arrived at a clearing of sorts. Above them, the roots had been damaged. A wide hole letting some of the moonlight stream down into the cavern. The girl released the jutsu, no longer needing it. They had enough light to see their siblings currently clashing, kunais striking each other rapidly. Akari's face fell when she noticed the state of her sister. The girls body covered in various cuts and bruises, her clothes stained red.
Her opponent was the boy in black, the one who wore purple markings on his face. He seemed a bit winded, a few wet marks on his clothes where Mizuko's water jutsus had struck. She saw that her sister had landed a few strikes with the kunai was well. The boy's dark bodysuit having a couple of tears. Still, it was clear who had the advantage.
"Kankuro." The girl called out.
The two kept at it, striking and dodging, refusing to stop their deadly dance. Mizuko had looked over briefly, noticing Akari. Still, she didn't pull away from her fight.
"Let her go!" Mizuko shouted, side-stepping and just barely avoided a fatal blow.
"She's here willingly, idiot! Kankuro, stop!" The girl tried again.
"Back off, Temari! I got this!" The boy yelled.
"We're trying to tell you that there's nothing to get, dumbass!" Akari growled, losing her patience.
Both their siblings hesitated for a moment, looking over at their sisters carefully. Temari had let go of Akari's arm. Standing there with her hands on her hips, a firm glare directed at her brother. Akari looked to Mizuko with a pleading look, urging her to listen.
"What are you talking about?" Mizuko asked.
"Your sister tells me you have an Earth scroll, so do we." Temari said.
Their expressions morphed into surprise. Their siblings jumping away from each other at the words. No longer fighting but still watching each other carefully.
"Meaning, this fight is pointless." Akari added.
"This is a trick. You know you've lost so now you're trying to run." Kankuro growled.
Mizuko and the boy were in a stare down, bodies still tense and kunais held up in defense. Akari looked to her sister, hoping she could read the desperation in her eyes. Mizuko glanced at her, teeth gritted with frustration. Still, she was the first to lower her weapon, twirling it in her hand before shoving it back in its holster.
"Why would we lie? It's become pretty clear that we stand no chance against you. You could easily catch us if we tried to run."
Mizuko glared at Kankuro, looking very irritated with the situation. But it seemed that she had come to the same realization Akari had. There was no beating these guys. It was only pure luck that they didn't have what they wanted. Their Earth scroll might just have been their salvation.
"Who carries it?" Kankuro wanted to know.
"Their brother." Temari answered for them.
Mizuko narrowed her eyes at this, looking to Akari. She looked to the ground in shame at her sister's expression. She knew it had been for the best, their surrender. Still, it didn't mean she was proud of what she had done. Giving up so easily. Mizuko didn't say anything though, merely turning her attention to Temari.
"Let us go to him. He'll show you." Mizuko told the girl.
"Fine. But we must warn you, whether you walk free or not, isn't up to us." Kankuro said.
"Gaara might have already realized you don't carry a Heaven. That doesn't mean he'll be willing to let you go." Temari added.
"He has to. What's the point in fighting us if there is nothing to gain from it?"
The two Sand siblings shared a look, saying nothing. Akari took this as a sign that they'd allow them to go. She stepped forward carefully, shooting Temari a brief look to see if she'd react. When the girl didn't, the Sand ninja looking more annoyed than anything, Akari walked a little faster. She couldn't hide the grimace on her face though, Mizuko's own hardening with fury. Her sister met her at the middle, reaching to support her up carefully. Akari sighed with relief, leaning against her side. Glad to have found Mizuko safe.
"You people certainly don't hold back." Mizuko glared at Temari.
"Be grateful she's alive. As are you." The girl shot back.
Above them, the roots shook from a heavy blow. Dirt and leaves raining down on them from the impact. The four of them looked up at the hole they had crashed through. Unable to see anything but the moonlight streaming in.
"Can't say the same thing for your brother though." Kankuro said.
He was staring at the ceiling and, if Akari wasn't imagining things, he looked almost nervous. His expression a mixture of anger and fear. Temari didn't look any better, the girl refusing to look Akari in the eyes.
"Riko. We have to go. Now." Akari tugged on her sisters arm.
She didn't like the way the Sand siblings were acting. The two of them seemed hesitant to go up there, to face their third teammate. It was scaring her, how obvious their fear was. Mizuko must've noticed too, her body tense beside hers. Then she was holding her tightly, jumping up into the ceiling of roots. She kept going, not slowing down until she had carried Akari through the hole above them. Temari and Kankuro had followed, the two landing beside them.
"W-what is this." Mizuko muttered.
Akari was too shocked to respond, gaping at the sight they had arrived to. Standing there, with a bored frown on his face, was the red-headed Sand genin. The boy she had caught sight of once or twice, the gourd on his back and the love symbol on his forehead hard to forget. He didn't even flinch at their sudden arrival, not even bothering to look their way. But it wasn't the boy who had them frozen in place. No, it was Riko.
He was right where they had left him, their brother kneeling next to the large trunk of the tree. His knees buried in a rippling pool of sand. A terrified Riko was being held forcibly down, his arms outstretched at his sides. The sand had risen to wrap around his wrists, slithering up his arms and to his shoulders. It looked to be tugging at them harshly, Riko whimpering in pain with every pull. At the same time, even more sand was slowing rising up his legs and over his stomach and chest. Their brother was in the process of being suffocated, the sand nearly finished in burying him alive.
"He's not dead yet." Kankuro stated.
He actually sounded surprised. Eyeing the scene warily, shoulders tense.
"No. Gaara's been taking his time with it." Temari replied, looking disgusted.
Akari saw what she meant, unable to take her eyes of Riko's face. He was a bloody mess, his hair sticky with it and cheeks stained with the stuff. His lower lip was busted, and an eye swollen shut. Riko's short sleeve teal hoodie stained with blood and sweat. The long sleeve mesh shirt he wore underneath torn from the cuts he'd received on his arms. A few gashes noticeable on the thighs of his gray pants. He looked completely beaten, body trembling from exhaustion.
Yet, his opponent didn't have a single scratch on him, not even a bruise. The Sand ninja was completely untouched, the redhead standing there with his arms crossed. Eyes dark, completely devoid of any emotion.
"Please." Akari took a step.
Mizuko was too shocked to do anything about it. Letting Akari go, her eyes locked with her twins. She looked just as terrified as Riko was. Having realized how close her brother was at being taken from them. The sand still creeping closer to his neck, moments away from covering his face completely.
Akari took another step, the pain in her side forgotten now, hand outstretched towards this Gaara person. The redhead's eyes flickered towards her, following her slow approach. A flurry of sand beginning to rise around him, like a sandstorm. She didn't stop, even when Temari and Kankuro moved to Gaara's side. The two of them now standing at the boy's back, watching her carefully.
"P-please. We don't have what you want. Tell him." Akari tried again.
She looked at Temari, voice desperate and pleading. This boy, with his cold and terrifying glare, wanted this. He wanted to watch Riko die at his hands. Unlike his teammates, he wouldn't hesitate to kill needlessly. Akari knew this, she could sense it in the way he looked at her. His face expressionless, with no hint of emotion behind it. This boy was dangerous, more so than any of the ninjas she's ever faced. Not because he could kill, but because he enjoyed it.
"I know."
Akari felt a wave of paralyzing fear overtake her. Gaara's voice was low and raspy, his tone cruel and unapologetic. Behind her, Mizuko gasped as he held up their Earth scroll. Tossing it aside easily, not even bothering to look where it landed. Akari could only stare at the hateful boy, unable to understand how anyone could be so heartless.
"G-gaara. Let her go, killing the girl is pointless. We won't get anything out of it." Kankura finally spoke up.
"Quiet."
Kankura immediately flinched at Gaara's vicious tone. The boy finally showing emotion only for it to be anger. Akari had stopped a few feet from him, paling at the sight of sand beginning to rise at her feet. The grains floating around her, getting dangerously closer and filling the air she breathed. She felt Mizuko finally move, her sister ready to interfere. Akari stopped her, putting an arm out to keep her from moving. If Gaara decided to kill Akari in that moment, there was nothing Mizuko could do.
"Don't do this. They're my family! Show some sympathy, please! Don't you know what it feels like? To fear for the lives of the those you love!?" Mizuko cried out.
Gaara looked over Akari's shoulder, black rimmed eyes now focused on Mizuko. Akari didn't dare to move, afraid to draw his attention again. Instead, she looked to Kankuro and Temari. Silently pleading for them to save them. To call off their brother, to let them live. They couldn't even meet her eyes, looking down at their feet.
"I don't. Love is a weakness. One I refuse to have."
Akari's blood ran cold at the boy's words, her body sagging with defeat. Mizuko let out a sob behind her, her sister falling to her knees. Then Gaara was raising both arms, extending them towards both Akari and Riko. His palms out, fingers closing in. Riko cried out in pain, the sand around him beginning to harden. Akari could only close her eyes, body trembling with fright as the sand whipped against her body. The harsh grains cutting against her exposed skin.
"Gaara."
The sand didn't stop even at the sound of Temari's voice. Akari's body feeling like it was being put through a shredder. Mizuko's crying loud against her ears. Gaara was taking his time with this, wanting his victims to feel every second of their death.
"Gaara. Killing these kids is beneath you, a waste of your skill. Let's find some other team, one actually worth it. We might even get a Heaven scroll out of it."
There was a terrifying moment where the sand picked up speed, Akari wondering if this was it. If her life would end here. Only, it didn't. The tornado of sand coming to a sudden halt around her. She dared to open her eyes, stunned to find that Gaara had lowered his hands. The sand around Riko leaving his body and slithering back towards the redhead. Slowing making its way back into the gourd, Gaara reaching back to shove the cork into place.
"If we don't find another group soon, I'll kill you two in their stead."
It took a moment for Akari to realized that Gaara was speaking to his siblings. Horrified that he could threaten them so easily, expression serious and speaking nothing but the truth. Behind him, Temari and Kankuro paled. Though they looked as if this wasn't the first time they'd heard their brother speak to them this way.
"T-thank you." Akari managed.
Her legs, still trembling, buckled beneath her from exhaustion. She fell back on her haunches, her eyes never leaving Gaara's. Afraid to let him out of her sight, her heart beating wildly in her chest. Realizing just how close to death she had come.
Gaara merely glared down at her, looking as if he'd been denied a reward. Then he was leaping up and disappearing into the branches above them. Akari losing sight of him instantly, unable to see the direction he went in the dark forest.
"You owe us your lives."
Akari looked away from the trees, finding that Kankuro had come to stand in front of her. He wasn't looking at her though, but at Riko. Mizuko had gone to her twins side, helping their brother to his feet. She hadn't heard Kankuro's words, the Sand ninja keeping his voice low for only Akari to hear. Temari stood behind him, her face annoyed. As if she had regretted stepping in, regretted getting between them and her brother.
"Keep that in mind if we ever decide to ask for a favor." Kankuro said.
He didn't care to wait for her answer. Just as quickly as ppphis brother, he took to the trees. Temari instantly going after him. The deadly trio gone, leaving them bloodied and terrified.
"Akari. Can you stand?"
Mizuko had come back to where she was, Riko's arm thrown over her shoulder. She held out her free hand, the one not holding up their brother. Akari reached for it, letting Mizuko help her up. She stumbled at first but she forced herself to stay standing. Riko looked in worse shape than she did, the boy unconscious in Mizuko's arms.
"I'm fine. We need to find a place to hide for the night. We can't stay out here like this." She said.
With the departure of the Sand genin, she was beginning to come to her senses. The paralyzing fear she had felt before beginning to fade now that Gaara was gone. To think that the presence of just one person could have such an affect on her. She didn't think she had ever met a ninja so terrifying.
"We can go down below again. The roots extend pretty far, we should be able to find a dark corner to rest for the night."
Mizuko was looking up at the sky, the moon high above them. It gave them a pretty good field of vision but only for brief moments. The clouds drifting by and occasionally obscuring it from view, leaving them in darkness. The forest was turning out to be the worst place to be at night.
"Is that...what if he comes back?" Akari frowned.
"Let's hope he doesn't. We can't go very far with Riko like this, the cavern is our only option right now." Mizuko told her.
Akari could only nod, lifting Riko's other arm and taking a firm hold on his waist. The two sister then leapt back down beneath the roots, hoping they'd find a safe place before their strength gave in completely. The exhaustion heavy on their bodies, aching for a night of rest.
•
"Is that okay?"
Akari sat on the forest floor, the top half of her dress pulled down around her hips. With only her halter top covering her chest, her stomach and arms bare, she was exposed to the morning chill. Causing her to shiver and covering her naked skin in goosebumps.
Mizuko knelt beside her, the older girls hands hovering over Akari's ribs. Like her twin brother, she had some skill in healing. Not enough to fully mend the break, but enough to make Akari's injury more bearable. Mizuko had at least managed to close up the many cuts the younger girl had gotten from the sand. Akari now sporting a few thin scars across her arms and thighs, shiny against her olive complexion.
"It's fine. It still feels fractured but whatever it had punctured seems to have stopped bleeding."
Akari twisted her body a little, checking her mobility. She knew she'd have to be properly checked later, but it would do for now. Her side still ached, now sporting a large purple bruise. Still, Mizuko had managed to mend the bone just enough to save her from immediate danger. Akari no longer having to worry about her splintered rib shredding her insides.
"I should really get more training in healing Jutsu. We're in need of it a lot more than usual lately." Mizuko sighed.
The older girl glanced over at her twin as she said this, a frown on her lips. Riko was awake, thankfully. Their brother rummaging through his pack and making sure he hadn't lost anything. His left arm was in a makeshift sling, elevated against his chest. The break too severe for Mizuko to fix. He hadn't complained though. He hadn't said much of anything really. Riko was still coming to terms with how close he had been to losing his life. This being the first time any of them had felt so helpless.
"We'll be ok. At least we can still participate in the exam. We may be a little worse for wear but we're not out of this yet." Akari tried to reassure her.
She lifted her dress back over her chest, slipping her arms into the long sleeves. It was covered with dry blood and torn in various places, her knee highs covered in holes. She supposed she'd have to have them mended when this was over.
"Its day two and we already lost our Earth scroll. That means we have to find not just one but both of the needed scrolls to pass." Mizuko muttered.
"We just have to go back to where we were. He didn't throw it far, we may find it beneath the roots somewhere." Akari said.
She wasn't going to give in, not so soon in the game. They may have had a rough first day, but they still had time. So, she stood from the ground and patted the dirt from her legs. Forcing herself not to grimace, ignoring her injury. Shaking her head, Mizuko stood as well. Seeing that they were done, Riko came over to join them.
"Ok then. Let's head back." Mizuko gave them a small smile.
Akari nodded, a smile of her own on her lips. Riko still didn't say anything but he looked ready to go. Together, the three left the small corner they had found and traveled back through the cavern. It was still a bit dark in a few places but they could see for the most part. The rising sun casting a few rays of light through the crevices in the roots above them. They made sure to glance around as they went, hoping to catch sight of their lost scroll.
"I didn't even get the chance to defend myself."
Akari startled a little at Riko's voice, but she kept walking. Mizuko was in the lead, slowing down her pace so she could hear. Their brother had taken the rear, Akari having to look over her shoulder at him. His gaze was on the ground, walking with his head down.
"He was just there. Next thing I knew, the sand was everywhere. Slamming into me, throwing me around like a ragdoll. At one point, I just stopped fighting it. Just let him do as he pleased." He muttered.
Akari faced forward again, heart aching at her brothers tone. It seemed to be a mixture of shame and fear. Riko's voice wavering slightly as he recalled the night before.
"You have nothing to be ashamed of, Riko. That guy was a monster. I don't think any of us could've beat him. Not even as a team." Mizuko told him.
"She's right. There was something off about him. Something unnatural." Akari nodded in agreement.
Riko didn't respond for a moment, as if he were trying to convince himself they were right. Akari heard him take a deep breathe, hesitating. They waited for him to speak.
"I showed him the scroll. As soon as I realized how strong he was, I practically threw it at his feet. Still, he did not stop. Never have I seen eyes so full of hate. It was...I was petrified."
Riko looked to have struggled to admit this. Their brother had always been a confident person. Laid-back and carefree. He may not always win, but he never let it get to him. Until now.
"So were we. We didn't stand a chance against his siblings, they had us beat. But neither of them made us feel the way this Gaara person did. So helpless and insignificant. Completely powerless to save ourselves." Mizuko admitted.
Akari saw the tear in the roots first. Stopping beneath it to look up at the sky above. The branches of the trees on the surface obscuring it a little, the foliage thick and growing against each other. At least the light still found a way through, the sun high in the sky now. Shining its way through the canopy.
"He's going to make it to the finals. One of us may be lucky enough to make it too." She said, still looking up.
Her siblings came to stand beside her, heads leaned back as well. Knowing they couldn't stay down here. Eventually they'd have to go back up to the surface and go even deeper into the forest. Where anyone could be lying in wait for them.
"You call that lucky? He's going to make mince meat of his opponent. I can guarantee that." Riko grumbled.
He seemed a bit more himself now that he had talked about it. Though he was still a bit muted, not as relaxed as usual.
"Is that gonna keep you from trying?" Akari turned to him.
Riko thought about it for a second. Then he was looking at her, flashing her a grin.
"Nah. I survived once. Maybe I can do it twice." He winked.
Akari's smile widened, feeling just a little more sure of herself. A bit of her own confidence slowly coming back.
"Good. Cause like Akari said…"
They looked over at Mizuko. The girl had walked away from them, going over to a darker area in the cavern. Away from the sunlight streaming through the tear above them. She was bending down, reaching to pick something up off the ground.
"We're not out of this yet."
Their sister grinned, holding up their Earth Scroll.
•
Akari was uncomfortable and, quite frankly, in a very bad mood. She felt gross for one thing, her face streaked with dirt and sweat, hair flat and stringy. She had tied up her dark locks in a tiny tail but it really didn't make her feel any better. The fact that she had been sitting in the same spot for half an hour didn't help either. Her knees were beginning to ache, pressed against the harsh ground. Plus, she kept getting poked by the prickly leaves of the bush she hid behind. Frowning, she wiped the sweat from her temples and continued to wait.
That is until she felt something crawling up her thigh. Akari tensed, preparing herself for what she might find. Slowly, she lowered her gaze to her leg. Her heart dropping at the sight of a spider the size of a baseball. The arachnid making its way slowly up her thigh. Her reaction was instantaneous, a squeal escaping her lips as she slapped it away.
A hand immediately covered her mouth, muffling the sound. Riko holding her from behind, a finger to his lips. Akari got the point, nodding for him to let her go. He did, letting her settle back into her hiding spot. The spider dead, Riko's kunai pinning it to the ground.
"Well?" She whispered.
"It's a Heaven scroll for sure this time." He replied.
Akari flashed him a skeptical look before peering through the leaves again. Eyeing the squad in the clearing. Three genin from the Hidden Grass. They had been trailing them for a couple hours now. Trying to steal a peek at their scroll.
"Are you sure? Because it's already day three and this is the first team we've come across since yesterday. If we're wrong, we may not find anyone else in time." She said.
The day before, they had run into a few Hidden Rain ninjas. They had wasted precious time taking them on only to find out they carried an Earth Scroll. They ended up spending a second night in the forest, feeling dejected. This was proving to be more difficult than they originally thought.
"Mizuko said she got a good look at it. We've got to make a move, like you said, we're running out of time. Let's take what we need and then get our asses to that tower."
He didn't wait for a response, sneaking off again. Akari just sighed, pulling her kunai free of her holster. Grimacing a little at the bruise over her ribs. She hoped there would be someone to heal her at the tower. Ignoring her discomfort, she rose from her hiding spot. Taking a leap into the air, hands working fast in creating the necessary seals.
"Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"
Akari brought her fingers to her lips, spitting out fireball at the unsuspecting trio down below. The Hidden Grass Ninja crying out in shock, diving out of the way in an attempt to evade them. Akari controlling each flame with her chakra, forcing the three of them to separate. Then she landed next to her chosen target, her kunai in hand. Lunging at him, swinging her weapon down in an arch. He was quick to block, their kunais clashing.
"Water Style! Water Whip Jutsu!"
Mizuko dropped down from the trees, flinging her whip as she landed in the clearing. It wrapped around one of the other ninjas, yanking him forward and sending him hurtling towards her. Too stunned to react, he was unable to deflect the blow as she punched him square in the jaw. The Grass ninja hitting the ground hard and sliding a few feet away. Over his initial shock, he managed to roll out of the way as Mizuko's whip struck the space he had landed on. The ninja rising meet her head on, the two facing off with taijutsu.
"Water Style! Hand of Waves!"
Riko finally made his appearance. A huge torrent of water rushing out of his palm. He aimed it at the remaining target, slamming her into a tree. The trunk exploded into splinters bringing it crashing to the ground. The girl began to rise but Riko didn't let her, roundhouse kicking her and effectively knocking her out. By the time he turned to his sisters, their opponents had already been subdued. Akari hovering over the unconscious man with a smirk, casually twirling her kunai in her hand.
"The scroll. Now."
Mizuko had her foot resting on the chest of her opponent. The guy peering up at her nervously, hands held out in surrender. Riko and Akari came to flank her, eyeing the poor ninja curiously.
"Y-yeah. I have it. Just give me a sec to.."
The guy slowly reached into his pouch, eyes flickering back and forth between the three of them. Akari watched him carefully, catching the glint of steel in his hand. Before the guy could react, she flung her kunai. The weapon burying itself into this shoulder. The ninja crying out in agony as he let go of the shuriken he had attempted to throw. The sharp weapon falling uselessly to the ground.
"I asked for the scroll. Are you going to give it to me, or are you going to force my sister here to burn you to a crisp?" Mizuko put pressure on his chest.
Akari brought her hands together, fingers forming the Horse seal. The beginning of the Fireball jutsu.
"O-okay! Okay! I won't try anything again, I swear!" He exclaimed.
This time, the guy dug into the right pocket. Making the wise choice and cooperating. The three of them grinning at the sight of the Heaven scroll. At Mizuko's signal, Riko reached down to grab it from the guys hand. At the same time, Akari moved to free her kunai from his shoulder. Wiping the blood off on her dress as he cursed at her.
"Let's make sure these guys don't make the foolish mistake of following us. Tie them up."
Akari and Riko nodded. The two of them working together to tie the two unconscious Grass Ninja to separate trees. Mizuko hauled their leader to his feet. Shoving him roughly towards his own. The guy having no choice but to stand still as she wrapped the vines tightly around his body. Once all three were properly tied up, with no chance of breaking free, they started to walk away.
"HEY! You can't just leave us like this! There are man-eating beasts out here!" The ninja yelled after them.
The three siblings didn't look back, the man's shouts getting quieter and quieter the further they went. What happened to those ninja didn't concern them. They had what they needed and only the Central Tower mattered now. So, they continued on their way. Thankfully with two scrolls instead of one.
"How's your arm?" Akari asked.
Riko rolled his shoulder slightly, grimacing at the movement. Then he was putting the sling back on, having taken it off for the fight. Having refused their offer to let him sit it out. Riko not liking the idea of leaving his sisters to take on a squad alone.
"Eh. I'll survive. How much farther till we reach the tower?" He asked Mizuko.
"We should get there before nightfall. As long as we don't run into any trouble." She looked over her shoulder at them.
Their sister decided they'd be quicker if they took to the trees. The two of them following after her as she leapt up into the branches. They made sure to keep an eye out as they went, mindful of other squads. The area around the Central Tower a perfect place for an ambush. Thankfully, they didn't have to worry. The three of them dropping down in front of the building with a sigh of relief. The evening sky fading into dusk, day three nearly over.
"Oh thank God! We don't have to sleep on the ground again." Akari clapped her hands with a grin.
The twins chuckled, nodding in agreement. Then the three of them were making their way inside. Proud to say that they had done it. Round number two was over.