"Neji…" The mind-walker lightly nudged the unconscious man. It seemed like he was in no better shape than the two of them.
Her eyes were swollen, her head was pounding, and she has really no recollection of what happened after she fell. All she had known was fear, and that after running she has caught sight of Sasuke. Never had she been so happy to see him, despite what she has encountered.
When she had approached, he seemed to have been out of his mind. Battered and bruised from seemingly nothing. This cave was pure misfortune, and it had them all messed up.
Neji lightly moaned, gaining conscious slowly but surely. The blonde sighed in relief, Sasuke standing only a foot or so behind her, holding the crystal almost as if it would burn him. So interesting, to see a legend like him be afraid of something so small and fragile. The konoichi smiled at the thought, turning her attention to the other prodigy in their wake. "Hey, how are you feeling?" She asks as he sits up and grabbing his head, leaving her arms. She doesn't think twice in checking him for any more wounds, and he does think about disturbing her as she completes her work.
"Well, on the upside, you're healthier than me and Sasuke combined. On the downside, I have no equipment or chakra to heal anyone."
"It's alright, I think our attention should be to find a way out of here." Now that's something the unlikely trio could agree on. It took only a moment to get the milky eyed man to his feet, and he began to trudge ahead of her once again. Their only lighting was from a lone burning pit, which was rather odd that it was burning this whole time. Or had something or, someone, lit it before they had gotten here?
Suddenly, her temple burned and her eyes only saw a blinding white, almost vein like pattern fill her vision. She cringed and bit back a scream. She felt arms around her as she folded over in pain. Unable to hear the voices calling her name, the light came as fast as it went. Gasping for air under the pressure in her head and chest, she attempted to bring herself back to reality. Gritting her teeth, she tightened her eyes close and bit her arm; baring no leniency towards the pain it caused her. It had snapped her out of the trance that she was in, and the pain ceased as her knees buckled. Yet, somehow, she didn't slam to the ground as she expected. But was gently placed down. Gasping lightly and opening her eyes, she looked at the arm that had surrounded her. Tracing the pale skin, she saw the dark color of his clothing, torn and bloodied. A slender jaw line and leading to sharp onyx eyes. The blonde took a moment to compose herself and attempted to stand. He stood and quietly stepped back, trusting her to keep herself stable.
"Yamanaka, care to tell me what just happened?" The Hyuuga questioned.
"I-i…I don't know…" The girl had grabbed her head, attempting to recall what had happened when she fell. "It's just…so much pain…"
"'I don't know' is not a viable answer, If something is wrong we have to properly report it and you have to of course go through all the precautionary-"
"She said she didn't know, Hyuuga. Cut the bullshit. It can wait." The Uchiha had interrupted and she had never been so thankful for his impatience.
"Do you know whats wrong with her, Uchiha? Can you fix it? Because if you can't, and I have a hunch that you can't, you have to find someone that can."
"Hn. Because lectures is all you're good at." If this curse wasn't what was going to kill her, it would be these twos' egos.
"Will you two please hold off on the arguments, I'm well aware of protocol Neji, you needn't remind me." Groaned the pained medic. "I'm okay to walk, let's just keep moving." Hesitantly, the man began to walk, the blonde following behind. That is, until a light tug on her un-bit arm made her pause.
"You need to wrap this." The Uchiha stated, and without the blonde even having enough time to protest, the man had already taken off his ripped shirt and wrapped it around the wound. She cringed under the pressure of it as he tightened it.
"U-Uchiha, you really didn't need to."
"The shirt wasn't doing me much good, anyways." Something was off about his tone, or maybe it was the fact that this is the most human he has seemed since he returned. Around her anyways, she had taken note that he did have his moments with his old team, but why with her? Moreover, why now?
"Is everything alright, Sasuke?" She called his first name softly, slightly hesitant, and he seemed to have almost flinched at the voice or even his name. He had backed off and let go off the wound, letting her arm drop to her side.
"Hn." Was the only reply he offered, and she wasn't anywhere near surprised when he snapped out of this humane trance. How uncharacteristic, she noted. Had it been a different time, she would have considered it a action of affection. But this was survival, teamwork, and even Sasuke apparently doesn't lack those morals. She'll be the first to admit, she's had her doubts that he even cares about her existence.
They had easily caught up to Neji without a word, who was seemingly feeling against a dead end. After a few moments, his hand glowed a light blue, and the wall faded from their sights. Leaving a foggy meadow in their wake, the light hurting their eyes. The blonde felt a huge wave of relief wash over her at the sight. They were finally out of that god forsaken cave. This mission is hopefully over.
They had wasted no time in turning in the crystal. Hyuuga had insisted in his two teammates returning to the cabin to rest, since they seemingly had taken much more damage than he had. And well, he wasn't wrong. Upon the sight of the cabin, the girl let out a deep breath she wasn't aware she was holding. It was only then, that she had realized that she was only with Uchiha, and the thought slightly amused her. The part where he was shirtless added on to the amusement, that was until she realized just how injured he was.
"You need to wash up, can you reach all the marks on your back?" As professionally as she could present her concern, the avenger gave her a slighted glance.
"I'm fine."
"What a shitty liar you are." She stated, "Let me clean the wounds, Uchiha. I'm a medic; you won't be the first male I've seen naked." Seemingly speechless as to how to respond to the girl, he took a moment but apparently couldn't think of a good argument as he approached the bath. She followed in tow, and turned towards the wall once they were both in the small room. She allowed him to get undressed and heard the water running. Only once she heard him situated in the water had he turned around. Being as professional and curt as she could, she rang out a warm cloth and began do dab the wounds. He had never flinched during the process, and she had admired his tolerance. After all, shell be dealing with the same pain not so well after him. It was only after several minutes and clean cuts later that the blonde truly realized the scenario she put herself in.
"A-ah, I'm done." She stated, looking at his newly washed skin and wounds, eyes tracing old and new forming scars. Without realizing, she had reached to touch the large scar across his back. He lightly flinched, and the girl launched herself back. "I-I'm sorry!" She apologized profusely, yet ceased when turned towards her.
"Hn, its fine." He dismissed the incident. Flustered, the girl handing him a towel and turned back towards the wall so that he may make himself decent. "Yamanaka." His voice called her to turn towards him, and despite not even being dressed, it seems that the blonde stray her eyes from his. "When you freaked out back there, you had called my brother's name. Why is that?" Taken aback, the mind-walker stuttered and racked her brain for an answer. Had she called his name? Moreover, she wishes she knew the answer herself.
"I-I'm sorry Sasuke, I don't know. I don't remember anything." Seemingly desperate, she looked at him hoping he accepted the answer. He paused for a moment, and turned to leave.
"Wash up and get some rest Yamanaka." He had almost sounded, disappointed? She couldn't tell, but she knew she left him with more questions than answers.
Hey guys, here is a new chapter! Hopefully you enjoyed it considering the wait, five year wait? I really do apologize for that, but I'm hoping to get back into it! Please review to help me get back into the swing of things guys!