Black. Darkness. That was all I saw. I felt no pain, just something heavy on my lungs. But it was bearable. I didn't want to wake up. I was sure I was dead. I felt so peaceful. Why wake up or live again? But the thought came across my mind. It brought a painful sting to my heart as I remembered. Tenten. It was her who called my name right as I fell. I would break my promise to her if I didn't return. I can't give up. My eyes strained as I struggled to open them. It was as if they were duct taped together. Come on Neji, you can do it. I heard a voice say. Tenten? But I realized it was only my imagination. I focused all my energy to opening my eyes. With a great strain, I felt my eye lids pull back slowly, until they opened all the way. Darkness. I'm really dead. The thought crossed my mind, as extreme pain exploded in my chest. I thought it was grief but this pain was unbearable. I screamed out in pain as I realized in the darkness around me, was stars. I leaned to my side, coughed up water. Hardly breathing I choked out the rest of it. The inside of my nose and throat burned as I coughed up the salt water. Falling back down onto my back I winced in pain.
I was alive. I was shot at by police officers. Memories flooded my mind as I remembered seeing blood. Dear god. I was hit. My hands flew up from my side, as I struggled to remove my jacket, hissing with pain as I pulled it back. My bullet-proof vest had silver metal inside it, but I unzipped it anyway. My white shirt was stained with red and I ripped the material easily, trying to get to the source of the pain. Redish marks covered my body. Bruises I realized. The bullets must have not went through the vest. But why is my shirt covered in blood? My right hand felt my abdomen and up to my chest. I winced as my hand passed over the bruises. My fingers traveled until they stopped at my shoulder. Hissing in pain, I pulled my hand back to my face and looked at my fingers. Blood dripped from fingers onto my face. Shit. I craned my head around to look at my right shoulder. Blood was seeping out, dripping into the sand. From the looks of it the bullet grazed my shoulder, barely missing my artery. Groaning in pain, I ripped the hem at the bottom of my white shirt. Creating a make-shift bandage, I competely took my jacket, vest and what was left of my white shirt off. Pulling my shirt off around the wound hurt the most, so I concentrated on my surroundings to distract me.
The bridge was a few hundred yards away. I was on the shoreline, on the city side. The beach waves washed up and hit my legs. My body was wet from head to toe. What was left of my clothes clung to my body. I grinded my teeth as I tied the white cloth around the wound. The bleeding had stopped momentary, but would start up again if I moved around too much.
A moaning shriek filled my ears. So close to me, it almost burst my eardrum. A tall figure stumbled over to me from my right side. Liquid dripped from the thing's mouth as it got closer. It looked like the creature we first saw. It's blackened eyes stared straight through me. The infected opened its mouth revealing hundreds of teeth, shrieking at me. My left hand flew up and reached towards my firearm strapped to my leg. Never taking my eyes off the thing, I struggled with the strap holding the weapon. The infected shrieked and lunged at me. Pulling the sidearm free, I held it up and fired two rounds into the thing's head. The creature doubled over and did not move again. I lowered the pistol and breathed out.
How did that thing even get on this side of the city? Could it be possible the police barrier broke? No. Impossible. I held my left hand up, wincing with the pain in my shoulder. I looked at my watch. Tapping it, I realized the salt water damaged it. The watch was frozen at ten-fourty. That must of been when I fell from the bridge. Shit. What time is it now? I can't be late.
Forcing myself to a sitting position, I bit my lip to keep from crying out in pain. I placed the bullet-proof vest back on my bare chest, leaving it unzipped. Then finally put my jacket back on, leaving it unzipped as well. The bruises felt as bad as the gunshot wound, so I wouldn't be zipping it up anytime soon. Taking in a deep breath I pushed myself up to a standing position, swaying a little. I pulled the gun up and took out the magazine. Twenty-four rounds. That should be enough. Returning the firearm back to it's strap on my leg, I stumbled towards the stairs leading off the small beach and up onto the side road that lead along the coast. Climbing the first step, I realized two things. One this is a bay not a river. Stupid Shikamaru. And two, I stopped at the top step, this is a huge city.
Buildings rose from the ground and skyscrapers lined the roads. People walked the streets armed with weapons. Military equipment was everywhere. But strangely, no military personnel. Streets were deserted. The city must be under martial law. I hid my limp trying to look indifferent from everyone else as I crossed the street. Thunder crackled off in the distance, as lightning brightened the sky.
"Great. Rain..." I sarcastically moaned.
Droplets of rain hit my nose. Seconds later the downpour came, soaking me again. Sighing in annoyance, I made my way to a convenient store by the shoreline. The lights were on, so the city still has power. A single clerk was standing behind the counter watching the news on TV. I approached him.
"Why are you still here?" I asked, wondering why in the right mind would this guy not be panicking.
He shrugged. "I have nowhere to go."
"Do you possibly know what time it is?" I asked.
He looked down at his watch, "Hmm.. Excaltly one in the morning."
I swore under my breath. I had five hours to get to a place I never been to before. Rubbing my fingers on my temples, I turned back to the man.
"Do you know of a warehouse on the other side of the city?" I asked.
He looked at me like I was stupid. Throwing my hands in the air, I sighed in frustration.
"Nevermind." I quietly added.
He turned back to the little TV he was watching. I looked up. The news was still on.
The reporter was screaming frantically at the camera. People were rushing into the city. The police blockade failed and was unable to hold the crowd back any longer. Gun shots erupted as people shot one another. But that was not even the worset of it. More people were entering the city. My mouth opened wide as I raced to the door of the store. Outside, screaming was heard from the bridge as a huge crowd rushed across it towards the city. My body acted on it's own. My legs carried me in the opposite direction as I sprinted away from the store. The city was so quiet. Did no one know of the doom approaching them? Only the loud thud of my shoes on the pavement reached my ears. I really had no idea where I was going. But I knew one thing. I was not going to stop. My breath becoming ragged as I passed by houses and shops. Rain pounded against my face, soaking my already soaked body. The cold air began to choke my throat as I struggled to keep going. Get away. Far away. Those are the only thoughts that ever crossed my mind. My pace started to slow down, but an infected's shriek caused me to sprint again. My shoulder stung with protest as I pushed myself past my limits. Black covered the corners of my vision. Reality seeming to slip away. I closed my eyes almost dreamily, but realized my mistake and forced them open. My run soon turned to a limp. I slowed to a walk and quietly threw myself in an alley way, out of sight. I shoved my back against the brick wall, listening intently for any followers. My haggard breathing was the only thing I heard. Taking in deep breaths, I attempted to calm myself down and put out the adrenaline rush. Feeling the adrenaline leave my body, a new rush arrived. The rush of pain as I gritted my teeth together. Grasping my shoulder in agony, I looked closer. Blood stained the white cloth as it bled through. I laughed in spite if myself and slid down the brick wall, until I was sitting down. Staring straight ahead into nothing, I sighed her name in the silence. Drowsiness overtook my body and a stiffness appeared.
I'm bleeding out, I finally thought. Struggling to keep my eyes open, but the black only consumed more of my sight.
"Tenten, I can't keep my promise.. I'm sorry." I barely uttered as the darkness took me whole.
At the warehouse.
"Hmm..." Kiba moaned sleepily.
"How can you even sleep with Neji still out there?" Tenten yelled at him, sinking back into her position on the wall.
Kiba leaned up and looked at her. Ever since that damn Hyuuga went and pulled that stunt, she had been crying her eyes out. She seemed so determined he will return to her, but no one can survive a fall like that. Kiba leaned his head back, thinking. Neji was the least of their worries. Because Shimamaru's damn girlfriend is-
"Kiba! Are you even listening to me?" Tenten butted in breaking his train of thought.
"What do you want?" He moaned.
"What time is it?" She asked again, clearly pissed.
"How the hell am I supposed to know?" He stated.
She started to mumble something about Neji before Kiba yelled at her.
''Just forget about him Tenten. He is a lost cause.''
She glared at him, if looks could kill, Kiba would be dead already. ''How could you even say something like that?'' She yelled sounding apalled.
''Just accept the truth. Its no use crying over spilled milk.'' He replied coldly. ''He made his choice and it happened to cost his life.''
''He still has time to get here..'' She countered.
"Thirty minutes till six." A calm voice answered as Shikamaru stepped out of a storage room.
Tenten merely glanced at him and then stared straight at the ground. No matter how much she tried to hide it they could see her tears. Hope that was dancing in her eyes, started to fade. Pushing herself up from the ground, she turned towards the exit.
''Where are you going?'' Kiba questioned her.
''To find Neji.'' She simply stated.
''No your not.'' Shikamaru stood in front of her blocking her path. ''He told us to stay here and wait.''
''And what good has that gotten us?'' She hissed at him.
''Your not going.'' He replied narrowing his eyes at her.
''I'll do whatever I want to.'' She pushed herself around him.
Grabbing her arms, Shikamaru stopped her from moving, as she struggled to get out of his iron grip.
''Let go of ME!'' She screamed, attempting to knee him in the groin, but he moved his leg in front of her knee stopping her.
''Neji would not have wanted this.'' He hissed in her ear.
Breaking out of his grip and throwing herself back to put some distance between her and Shikamaru.
''I know what I have to do. And I'll be damned if you try to stop me.'' With that she turned and walked out of the warehouse, leaving a shocked Shikamaru standing there.
''Dude are you going to stop her?'' Kiba question, starting to get up to chase her down.
''No. She made her choice.'' Shikamaru walked back over to the storage room. Turning to look at Kiba over his shoulder, he spoke softly, ''Pack the supplies up. We are leaving in twenty minutes.''
A mile away from the warehouse.
''I guess, I doubted myself too much.'' I smirked as I limped in the direction of the warehouse. One hand gripping my wound the other holding my firearm tightly.
Hours ago I had passed out from lack of blood or so I thought. Thinking my vision blurred because of my wounds turned out to be fatigue. Waking up from my dire state I went and searched for a map. Finding one and hours later here I am making my way to the warehouse.
Loud arguing stopped me in my tracks. Pressing my back up against a nearby house, I turned my head towards all the noise. A petite brown-headed girl was struggling with a wide muscular man. I focused on the man. He was probably in his thirtys, early fourtys. His brown hair was drenched in sweat, while his clothes were covered in specs of crimson blood. I turned my attention to the girl. Her long brown hair had fallen from two buns that originally held them up. She was struggling with the man, who was now trying to take her clothes off. Realization hit me like a ton of bricks as I realized the brown-headed girl was Tenten. Immediately, raising my pistol, I pointed it at the man. Damn. She's too close to him, if I miss, I will hit her. My heart tightened watching the scene before me. Unable to stand around and do nothing any longer, I ran towards the two. The man and girl were to busy to notice my approach, but I could hear them now.
''Come on sweety, I can protect you and we can start the whole world over.'' The muscular man smirked at her, revealing yellowish teeth.
''Not on your life, asshole!'' She screamed, slamming her foot in his groin, as he grunted in pain, but never let the girl go.
''You bitch!'' He yelled, pulling a knife out from his jacket and shoved the pointed end towards the girl. Tenten cringed and waited for the pain, that never came. Looking up her eyes widened.
I had at the last second put my right arm in front of the blade. The blade was impacted between the two bones in my forearm as my eyes narrowed at the man. He seemed surprised, his hand still gripping the blade. Blood ran down my arm and dripped onto the pavement. I felt no pain, just the hate flowing through my veins. Rotating the firearm in my left hand, I shoved the nose of the gun into his abdomen and fired twice. His eyes widened in pain, while his hand loosened around the knife. He doubled over backwards and I placed my foot on his throat pressing down, cutting off his air supply.
''It's bastards like you, who make good men go bad.'' I stated, venom clearly in my voice.
Tenten grabbed my left arm, and pulled me back.
''Stop Neji.'' She whimpered, still shaken up from what just happened.
''He just tried to rape you.'' I growled, pushing my foot down harder, causing him to struggle.
''Neji..'' She said softly, causing me to turn and look at her.
Her lips touched mine, as she gripped the flaps of my jacket to pull me closer to her. My foot slid off the man, completely forgetting him. My arms encircled her waist, as I carefully avoided from touching her with the knife that still stuck out of my arm. I turned my head slightly to deepen the kiss, pulling her even closer to me. My bruises protested in pain, but I ignored it. She pulled back, smiling at me then her smile turned upside down. Her palm made contact with my face, as she slapped me. My left hand rose to hold my cheek.
''What the f-'' I started but she cut me off.
''How could you do something so dangerous? I saw those bullets hit you. Do you know how that killed me inside?'' She screamed.
''I was wearing a bullet proof vest.'' I tried to make my side of the story seem ok.
''So? You could've still been shot!'' She countered pointing her finger at me.
''Well actualty..'' I motioned to my shoulder.
I knew once I said that I never should of, she dug her finger in my chest, Wincing, as she hit the bruise.
''You...are..in so..much..trouble!'' She snarled as she poked my chest when she said every word.
Putting my hands up in surrender, I backed away. Her eyes widened looking at the handle of the kinife still sticking out of my arm.
''Oh my god, Neji!'' She said breathless.
''What?'' I asked, as she frantically started to point at my arm. ''Oh...that.'' I put my arm in front of me and gripped the handle of the blade.
''Oh. That? Doesnt it hurt?'' She stepped closer to me, her eyes wide.
''Yea like a bitch.'' I moaned, gritting my teeth, ready to pull it out.
''What are you doing?'' She asked, her eyebrows pulling together in worry.
''I'm pulling it out. What does it look like I'm doing?'' Grinding my teeth together, my hands constricted around the handle. Yanking, back in a fluid motion, the blade slid out of my flesh. Crimson blood covered the blade as I dropped it to the ground. Holding my arm out in pain, I spoke calmly to Tenten, ''Could you happen to have a cloth or some bandages?''
She started to panic and take a bag off the ground she must of dropped while fighting with the man. Spilling the contents onto the car she tossed behind her a rolled up bandage. Using my teeth to bite and pull the bandage out, I started to wrap my arm. Tenten started to load all the supplies back in to the back. Slinging it over her shoulder she walked towards me, watching me finish.
"What now..?" She asked.
I finished and picked my firearm off from the ground and returned it to it's hostler on my leg.
"What time is it?" I questioned, looking around.
Pulling out her cellphone, she was about to speak but I stopped her.
"How long have you had that?" I asked stunned.
"This whole time." She replied as my mouth dropped open. "Yea I know what your thinking, but all the lines are jammed."
Sighing I walked a little forward, in the direction of the warehouse. "The time...?"
"Oh yea." She replied from behind me. "Six-ten."
Gritting my teeth together, I yelled to her, "Crap. We're late. Hurry. We can catch up to them."
Motioning for her to follow me, we took off running down the street. Rounding a corner, we saw a bunch of infected surrounding a corpse. They still had human features on their body and faces. We ran silently by them. They were too busy with their meal to notice us. Taking a left on the street the warehouse was on, I slowed down. Stopping in front of the building, I leaned over putting my hands on my knees, breathing hard. Tenten continued and went inside the warehouse. She quickly came back out and motioned for me to come in.
"They are still here." She murmured as I past her.
Exhaustion, took over me. I was too tired to question why on earth they haven't left. Entering the large room, I noticed Kiba in the far corner. His back was up against the wall with his head leaned back. His eyes were closed but his body was too tense to be asleep. Hearing the soft clack my shoes made against the floor his eyes opened. A small smile formed as he put his hand out to me.
Grasping his hand, Kiba remarked, "Thought you would never show up."
"Yea. Yea." I said letting go of his hand. "Where is Shikamaru and Temari?"
His smile faltered but he pointed to a storage room door. Before I even made it half-way across the room, the door opened. Shikamaru stood there looking tired with a hint if depression. His expression did not change as he saw me. He walked out more as someone behind him followed. Which I assumed was Temari. He took a step to the side to reach for something, revealing her.
Something was horribly wrong. Her eyes were blood shot and were darting around looking everywhere. But the one thing that stood out was her mouth. Purplish-black veins ran up here face and down her jawline. Black pooled around her lips. It seemed to look like the first stage of infection. Pulling the sidearm out of it's strap on my leg, I pointed the gun at her. Shikamaru moved to get between Temari and the potential danger.
"Move Shikamaru. She is infected." I lashed out at him.
"No." He replied calmly, looking straight at me.
"You stupid bastard. I'll kill you too, if you don't move." I yelled.
The sound of clinking metal made it's way to my ear. Cool metal pressed itself to the side of my skull. Not moving my hand but turning my eyes towards the attacker, I saw Kiba holding a pistol to my head.
"Let him explain Neji. Drop the gun." He spoke coldly.
I glared at him, "Are you crazy? She is infected!"
Shikamaru quickly walked over to me and stopped with the nose of my gun was mere inches from his stomach.
"Drop the gun." Shikamaru ordered.
I was no fool. I could see I was outnumbered in this stituation. My eyes not leaving Shikamaru, I dropped the gun. It clattered to the ground as Kiba lowered his arm. My eyes darted around looking at all of them.
"You see Neji.. After you fell off the bridge, we noticed Temari showing signs of being infected, but we shook it off. Once we arrived here, we realized we were right she was infected. We were afraid it was airborne, but turns out when Kankuro kissed her, he bit her lip." He continued as I watched suspisionly. "He was infected. With blood contact and saliva contact he infected Temari. But her infection has taken a while to even show signs and symptoms."
I interrupted him, "Yea but that does not explain why we have not killed her."
"She is a friend, Neji. Or have you lost your heart like everyone else? As long as she does not try to bite as, I don't see the point in killing her." He calmly answered. "What if you were in my stituation and Tenten in Temari's?"
I sighed, realizing I was beat. I would have done the same thing. This guy could always get into my mind.
I nodded, "Fine but once she gets worse, you know what we have to do." I stepped back some. "Sorry Temari." I added.
Sighing for the hundredth time since this all started, I walked to the door of the warehouse and looked outside. Destruction. Maybe this all happened for a reason. Maybe mankind has become too arrogant and selfish. Maybe this isn't a bad thing happening to us. This could be an excuse to rebuild the world to it's former glory but different. With so much hate in the current world, what can mankind do to stop it?