Chapter 3 : The Calm before the Storm
Has it really only been three hours? I mean, I've heard that time seems to slow when you're anxious about something, but this is ridiculous. I glanced back at the others, my eyes drifting over each one of them slowly. Kakashi hadn't changed at all, his expression calm, though there was the smallest hint of frustration within his eyes.
Sakura and Naruto, however, looked as eager as I felt, both moving forward with full determination. I turned back to the world in front of me, a gasp echoing in the air as I was forced to leap to the left, just barely missing a collision with the tree ahead of me.
I gave a sigh. It was going to be a long four days. Normally the silence that stretched between us would have aggravated me by now, but I had other things to focus on. Our first stop wasn't for another six agonizing hours, shortly after night had fallen.
After dinner, I nestled myself back against a tree , content to simply watch the blazing fire while the other slept. Drawing one leg up, I rested an arm against it, my head tilting up to stare at the night sky. It's so quiet..
"You should get some rest as well."
"I can't sleep."
Out of the corner of my eyes I could see Kakashi sitting next to the fire, still awake, his one eye staring at me. "I know you're worried about her, but if you don't rest what do you think will happen when you face them?"
I felt a scowl forming. "It's been seven months. We should still be moving, not sitting here."
He gave a loud sigh, the sound annoying me, and my eyes narrowing. "Just try to relax, or you'll waste all your energy. Think about it."
As if I wanted to think about it? Unfortunately, I knew that he was right. Slouching, I settled back more comfortably against the tree behind me, my gaze on the fire. Eventually I started to drift into a light sleep, though it was hardly restful.
By morning we were packed up and again on our way towards the Land of Lakes, a village just outside the fire country that was surrounded on all ends by several bodies of water. Barely any conversation had transpired during the travel, though that was more than fine with me. Nightfall came, and again we set up camp.
"Alright I want to go over the plan one more time before we call it a night."
Everyone gathered around the fire as the discussion began, though mostly it was Kakashi explaining the formations and plans we were to use once we arrived. In the blink of an eye, it felt like morning had already arrived, and we were once more on the move.
I'd lost track of the hours that'd passed by the time we came across a small village along our path. I began to lift my arms up into a light stretch as we walked, attempting to work out the tension in my muscles as a yawn escaped.
"Alright, we'll rest here for the night."
"Eh? It's not even dark yet!" I rolled my eyes at Naruto's instant complaint, the fool practically producing steam from his ears, but internally was in full agreement.
"Naruto is right Kakashi-sensai. We could still keep going."
"Actually, we're a little ahead of schedule." The strap to my bag began to slip down my arm, my mouth dropping. "We're just outside of the Land of Lakes Territory."
"Then why stop here!?" I hadn't meant to be so loud, but I couldn't help the bubbling question that had formed, my mind attempting to wrap around his logic.
"Hey, hey, just calm down. Listen. We have a lot of work ahead of us once we there, so let's just rest for today. We'll set out first thing in the morning."
"Does this mean we're going to stay somewhere in town?"
Kakashi nodded quickly, immediately starting down the street at a rather unusual pace. "And I know just where we should stay.. heheh."
I should have seen something like this coming from a mile away, the look on his face was lit with warning signs, but I had been oblivious to it. "Hot Springs?" The question dripped with frustration and disbelief. "What's the-"
"I wonder if they serve ramen!"
"Hey, Naruto! Wait up!"
My nose twisted and scrunched as the two of them headed inside. They get distracted rather quickly. Shoving my hands in my pockets, I slowly followed the others into the building, grumbling in a low whisper the whole way. As soon as I got to my room, I tossed my bag on the floor and went to sit beside the window.
This was it. Tomorrow we'd find Kabuto, and hopefully Hinata as well. I heard a rasping noise at my door, Naruto bursting into the room before I could even answer it. "Hey Knives! We're heading down to the hot springs. You coming?"
"Huh? Uh, no, I think I'll stay up here." Come to think about it, I've never been to any hot springs yet. I averted my eyes away from the blonde and back to the window angrily. Now was not the time to worry about something that trivial.
"He..hehe.." The sound caused a prickling sensation to slide down the back of my neck just before Naruto grabbed me by the arm, dragging me down the stairs and towards the hot springs. My protests seemed to fall on deaf ears as I was guided out of the guest's room and down the stairway.
"Naruto cut it out!"
"Hehe hehe. You know you want to!" He gave a strong shove that sent me stumbling into the locker room just outside the hot springs. Crossing my arms, I fixed an irritated glare on the smirking bafoon, my fist shaking with the desire to punch him. The grin on his face reminded me so much of my brother it was infuriating.
Naruto lifted his arm into the air and with a quick jab brought it down to point at me. "It's not every day you get treated to the hot springs. Relaxing before a big fight is important!"
I scowled, unable to resist rolling my eyes at his statement. For someone who acted as eager as he did about finding his friend, he sure changed his interests when a hot spring was added to the detour path. "Fine, fine, fine. Whatever. Just.. go already! I'll be out in a minute." I waved a hand carelessly to show my surrender and the fool bound off outside.
"Idiot."
"That may be true, but.." My head snapped to the side, my eyes darting over towards the man who stood in the doorway. The smile that was plastered on Kakashi's face very much mimicked the one Naruto had used. "He does have a point. If you keep yourself tense you'll be more likely to make mistakes in a battle."
I said nothing as he walked past me and out into the hot springs, oddly enough, still wearing that mask over his face. Humans are still so annoying! Eventually I made my way outside, however, I didn't expect to become any less tense, especially with all the nonstop lectures I'd been given over the last couple of days.
Stepping over towards the hot spring, I looked down at Kakashi and Naruto, the two waving for me to join them. With a mild groan, I stuck a foot into the water, slowly making my way into the hot spring and visibly feeling my muscles starting to relax. This actually is relaxing.. Why didn't I do this back in the village.. Naruto's annoying laugh filled my ears, but I simply sank down into the water, attempting to ignore him.
"See!" He slapped his hand against my back roughly and again laughed. "Go ahead and thank me. You know you want to."
I felt a twitch cross over my face, within seconds my fist connecting with Naruto's face. "Idiot!" Kakashi gave a sigh, but I was in no mood to care, and began to slink further away from the two. I moved around one of the rocks and pressed myself back against it, my head tilting up to stare at the darkened sky.
Hinata. You're close now, aren't you? Are you staring at the same stars I am? I sank down into the water, it's warmth surrounding my submerged body until I lifted myself up, water dripping from my hair as I headed towards the towels.
After the hot spring we ate dinner rather quietly. Naruto continued to scowl as he'd done since I clobbered him and both Sakura and Kakashi seemed to monitor the tension between us. Occasionally Sakura and Naruto bickered between each other but little else occurred. By night fall I was left to escape to my room and retire for the night.
Sleep did not come easily with the anxiety I felt, my eyes wide open as I laid on my back. Eventually sometime in the late hours I managed to fall into a fitful sleep.
