Twelve
Lee ran as fast as his legs could carry him. He was sweating profusely and his heart was pounding in ways it never had. He continued to push himself to move faster, but with every new step he took he found himself slowing down.
It was hard to tell if his decrease in speed was because he was growing tired, or because of the mud that clung to the backs of his black sandals. Or maybe it was because there was a part of him that didn't want to see Sakura. Lee couldn't bare to see her in pain or held by an enemy, it was almost easier to run . . .
"No! Guy Sensei would rescue her! Guy Sensei would want me to push myself!"
Lee pushed himself through the troublesome obstacles that blocked the ways he went. He'd been running around in zig zags before he'd finally be able to squeeze through a space between a tilting boulder and a tipping tree. Through the cracks of branches, and through the spaces of dozens of falling leafs he could see blurry shadows and outlines. He hoped Sakura was among them, prayed for it as he ran.
Lee was so close, he could taste the faint strawberry sweetness of Sakura's shampoo as its scent lingered trough the air. He could sense life and he knew he was nearing his destination. He would run and run until he could run no more, he would fight through nature's obstacles until there was nothing for him to break through. He was almost there, and he would . . .
CRASH! Lee smacked straight into a shinobi that felt all too familiar upon human contact. He went flying from the overwhelming force that pushed against him, with no warning whatsoever. His head began to spin, and before he hit the ground things were already blurry. He would lose his senses before even getting the chance to fight!
"Oh god! My head. Lee do you have to be such a freak about things!?"
Lee looked up to see thick platinum blonde hair, tinted slightly by sunlight, swaying. It was tamed by a thick purple band. He saw flashes of purple, which was the colour of what seemed to be a skirt or dress, he still couldn't really see. Two grey bands on either arms, beautiful ocean eyes, and flawless skin entered his line of sight.
"Ino?!"
"Nice to see you too." Ino was standing with her hands placed on her hips. She was looking at Lee with her eyes hard as glass. A knife was tucked into her right legs grey band. She reached down and pulled it out, studying the blade as she fiddled with it in her hands. "Gotta give this back to Kiba."
"Kiba!? He's here too?!"
"A couple ways back yeah. Same with Sakura. Fighting some rogue ninja creep. He totally cut me up!"
The relief and wonder Lee had felt quickly went away. "Wait Kiba's fighting?!"
"Kiba's a big boy Lee, he doesn't need any help against some loser ninja who preys on innocents in the woods."
"But Sakura! He can't protect her and fight!"
Ino looked up at Lee, with those pretty eyes of hers. She threw her head back and let out a simple laugh, that sounded as sweet as a lullaby. "Sakura's always talking big Lee, I'm sure she can handle herself."
"I know you don't love her company but we can't leave them!"
"Lee! I don't think you understand just what kind of mission you're on! Why do you think Kiba and I of all people are with you? We've been ordered by Lady Tsunade to accompany you! Why? Because this isn't your normal case of saving the damsel. This is big Lee."
"What?"
"There's something going on, in one of the villages, and if we don't find out what, it could mean the end for us. Not just for our village, but for every village. Kiba is strong, and Sakura has her uses. We need to keep moving no matter what. They'll catch up to us. Now. Let's get out of these woods, and go the proper way. Learn to follow a map."
As Lee listened to her words he was beginning to believe them but the concern he felt for Sakura did not cease. Although he nodded, smiled and followed her out of the mess of trees and dark skies, he felt scared. He could only hope the dangers he sensed were apart of his imagination.