Minako ran up ahead of the others. She sniffed the air and searched the ground before calling back, "On that vine, they are at least half a day ahead of us, but they are definatly going to the Rock village." She bent down and put her finger in a small drop of blood, moving it between her fingers. "This blood is Keiko's, but it's not much. Possibly a small cut from a spike or something."
Yama clenched his fists as he lowered his head. "I will kill Reina." He hissed.
Minako stopped and waited for the two to catch up with her. "Keiko is alright, Yama." She stated.
Yama nodded weakly. "For now."
Minako frowned, she wasn't much of one to make people feel better.
"Good job, Minako." Hibiki said.
Minako smiled up at Hibiki as a small blush crossed her cheeks.
"We should start to head that way." Hibiki murmured.
"This is your house?" Keiko asked with a blank look, her voice to muffled by the vine.
"My secondary home, yes. My real one is back in the Fountain Village." Reina explained dully.
"I knew I should have completely destroyed the house!" Keiko sighed.
Reina laughed. "Yeah, okay."
"But I can destory this one as well." Keiko shrugged.
"Stuck in those vines? I doubt it." She sighed.
Reina made her way through her home, leaving Keiko tied up. She gathered some ninja tools and then went to a room closing a door and talking to someone.
Keiko glared at the door and tried to slip her hand into her pouch, and starting to slice through the thick vine. "Doubt it my butt!" Keiko muttered under her muffled breath. Eventually, she was able to cut through the vine and she stood up, stretching and rubbing her jaw. 'I may not be the best at taijutsu, but I can kick some butt with genjutsu!' Keiko kneeled down and preformed a few handseals as she closed her eyes.
Reina stepped out of the room and laughed. "Did you not realise that my vines sucked your chakra? This is the weakest genjutsu I've ever felt."
Keiko snarled and broke the jutsu. "Whatever." Keiko said before charging the window and busting through it, not thinking about where specifically to head to, she just began to run ahead.
Reina let out a breath as she jumped out of the window and jumped onto a vine, chasing after her. "You can't outrun me!"
Keiko quickly turned and jumped into a crevice in the rock cliff, moving deeper into the rock incision to hide herself. A smaller vine slithered after her, latching onto her ankle.
"Oh, stop!" Keiko muttered and tried kicking the vine away, reaching down to slice the vine with her kunai. The vine broke and returned back the way it came.
"Hey." a voice came from behind Keiko. When she turned, Keiko squinted into the darkness to see Yua with her arms crossed. "Come on." Yua stuck her sword out and forced Keiko slowly out of the rock cut. "Reina, you're pathetic."
Reina hissed. "I tried! It's hard on my own!"
"Yeah, right." Yua rolled her eyes.
Reina sighed. "Kureji here too?"
"I don't keep track of that idiot." Yua scoffed.
"But I am here. And Yua is officially binded to me so she knows exactly where I am at all times every part of the day no matter what has happened and I can make her feel anything I wish her to feel." Kureji grinned.
"Keep dreaming." Yua rolled her eyes.
"You know it's true..."
"That you don't make sense, yes." Yua laughed.
Reina rolled her eyes. "You guys coming with me to take this girl to Nagato?" She asked. "Some of those from earlier have been trying to follow me. If I hang around too long, they will catch me again." Reina said as she flicked her wrist in Keiko's direction, vines binding her once again.
"I don't want to ride your vines." Yua stated.
"Then don't. Ride Kureji's." Reina growled.
"She hates our kekkei genkai; creeps her out." Kureji explained.
Reina shrugged. "Not my problem, she could always run after us."
"I'm not leaving her behind." Kureji stated. "She gives me too much attention."
"Oh yes, you'd wilt away without her damn attention." Reina rolled her eyes. "Well, what are you gonna do? We need to get moving, now. My flowers spotted Minako, Hibki and that blonde guy just a few mintues ago. It wont take long for them to get here."
"I would wilt. She's my love." Kureji pulled Yua closely and kissed her forehead. "She's my little rose."
Yua sighed and looked away, her blush hidden by the hair sheilding her face. "Idiot."
"And who cares if they catch up? You really think they'll escape alive?" Kureji asked.
Reina shook her head. "Of course not. That blonde can't take another hit. And Minako will become reckles if we can take care of Hibiki."
"Then what does it matter if we get to Nagato sooner or later?"
Reina shook her head. "This girl annoys me greatly. I want to hand her over to Uncle, as soon as possible."
"Fine you win!" Kureji quickly swept Yua up over his shoulder and as his vine began to take him towards their uncle.
"Hey! Slow down!" Reina hissed as her vine went after them and Keiko trapped following.
As it began to get dark, the three had no option but to stop. Minako found a small cave to sleep in, as always Minako took guard while Hibiki took his hour of sleep and Yama took a full nights rest. Minako's eyes drifted toward Hibiki, his hour of sleep was almost up, she knew he'd be up any minute.
Minako rested her head against the cave wall and shivered. The night was cooler than she was used to, living in Suna it was always hot, even at night. She carefully wrapped her arms around herself as she opened her eyes again, looking up at the stars.
Hibiki had woken up silently and moved over to Minako without her knowing, startling her as he wrapped his arms around he torso. "You're cold." Hibiki stated.
Minako nodded, cuddling close to Hibiki. "I'm not used to such cold areas."
"Here." Hibiki slipped his shoulder cloth up and over his head and wrapped it around her. "Warmer?"
Minako blushed deeply as she briefly stared at Hibiki's bare chest. "Y-Yes... thank you." She whispered, closing her eyes.
"No problem." Hibiki muttered.
Minako opened her eyes again and looked over at Yama who was sleeping peacefully. "I-I kinda feel bad for him." She whispered, more to herself.
"This will spike their relationship so long as Keiko isn't killed."Hibiki sighed.
Minako looked up at Hibki. "What did you do that time when Hotaka had taken me? Did you fear the worst?" She asked innocently.
"I was powerless against him, Minako. I couldn't help but fear a lot. I had hoped for the rest of the team to get you back, but unfortunately, I couldn't do anything."
Minako entwined her fingers through Hibiki's as she stared at their hands. "Would you chase after me if I were ever taken again, like Yama is chasing after Keiko?" She murmured.
"Of course." Hibiki replied and frowned.
Minako leaned her head back against Hibiki's chest. "I dunno what I'd do i-if something happened to you." She whispered.
"Nothing will happen." Hibiki sounded confident.
"Last time you sounded so confident.. I-I hurt you." She said, a hint of sorrow in her voice as she frowned.
"Don't worry about that, Minako." Hibiki turned Minako's face to look at him. "You did nothing more, that's the only thing I would allow you to do to me."
Minako nodded as she rested her head on his shoulder. "I believe you."
"Good." Hibiki mumbled and closed his eyes.
Minako kept her eyes on the sky. She felt tired but refused to sleep, after the conversation she had just had, she refused to let a nightmare make it worse. She shivered, not because of the cold, but in fear as she tightened her grip on Hibiki's hand.
Hibiki smiled softly as he brought her hand closer to his face and kissed the back of her hand. "Do not fear, Minako."
Minako bit her lip and nodded.
"I can imagine how Yama is feeling at the moment." Hibiki sighed and rested his cheek against her hand.
Minako looked over at Yama and frowned. "Yes. I'm surprised he can even sleep."
"He's been through a lot. His energy is gone."
Minako turned in Hibiki's arms and wrapped her's around his torso, taking in a deep breath before releasing it, her eyes closing. "I-I'm going to try and sleep... okay?" She asked with a yawn.
"Alright, I'll be right here when you wake." Hibiki said and gentley rested his arms around her body.
"Thank you." She murmured as sleep took her.
-Minako's Dream-
"Y-Yama..." Keiko weakly spoke and smiled at Yama.
Yama sighed with relief and pressed his lips hard against hers. "I'm so glad you're okay!" Yama spoke.
Minako and Hibiki quickly charged at Kureji and before he could do anything, Hibiki knocked Kureji off his feet while Minako lunged at Kureji and shoved a kunai deep in Kureji's neck.
Yua screeched angrily, charging Minako with her sword pointed towards the female. Just before Yua was about to shove the sword through Minako's chest, Hibiki quickly moved in front of Minako. The sword sliced easily through Hibiki and plunged slightly into Minako's flesh.
Hibiki's eyes widened in fear as he slowly looked at Minako's shocked face. Weakly, with his last bit of energy, Hibiki reached out and placed his hand around the sword. A green light lit up his hand as he healed the wound while pushed the sword out of her flesh. "Minako... I love you." Hibiki smiled weakly.
"N-No!" Minako screamed, tears falling down her cheeks.
-Minako's Dream End-
Minako thrashed in her sleep, unable to control herself as she felt tears fall down her face. "N-No!"
"What?" Hibiki was startled at her sudden thrashing. He held her tightly as he tried to wake Minako. "Minako?"
Minako's eyes opened and she threw her arms around Hibiki's neck. "Y-You're alive... you're alive..." She mumbled, as tears continued falling down her face, her body trembling.
Hibiki chuckled slightly." Of course I am." Hibiki hugged Minako tightly while he petted her hair softly.
Minako pressed her lips to his, trying to calm herself. When she pulled back she took in a deep breath before lowering her head on his shoulder. "I-I... I can't do this mission... we need to go back." She whispered weakly.
"Yama will refuse." Hibiki stated.
"Then he will go alone. H-Hibiki... I- just trust me, you-we can't go!" She told him, her nails digging into her own arm.
"What did you dream about?" Hibiki asked.
Minako looked up at Hibiki, her eyes watering again just thinking about it. "Th-that girl Kureji is with... k-killed you..."
"Don't think about it, Minako. I can't imagine being in Yama's position, we can't just abandon him. We'll just be more careful."
Minako shook her head. "H-Hibiki... you don't understand!" She sobbed. "It was too real to ignore... it's the most realistic dream I've ever had!" She cried.
"Yama can't do it alone, Minako. Put yourself in Keiko's position."
Minako pulled herself from Hibiki's arms. "I feel bad for him, and I don't want to make him do it alone, b-but Hibiki, i-if that r-really happens... I-I..." She shook her head as she placed her hands over her eyes, crying softly.
Hibiki held her closely, his hand on the back of her head.
"I just... can't lose you." She sobbed into his chest.
"You won't." Hibiki whispered.
Minako looked up at him and frowned. She knew he wouldn't understand.
Reina sighed as she threw Keiko to the ground. "Would you shut up already? Dammit! If I didn't have to take you to my Uncle I would have killed you already!"
"Then do it." Keiko shrugged.
"I just said I can't!" Reina hissed.
"Pathetic." Keiko shook her head and laughed. "Just pathetic."
Reina walked up and wrapped her hands around Keiko's neck, lifting her from the ground. "What's pathetic, is the fact that you got captured by me so easily!"
"So what?" Keiko choked. "Sometimes I think I'd rather have the exhilerating adventure of being with the bad guys, but you guys are just a pathetic bunch."
Reina's eyes narrowed as she whipped Keiko into the wall. She looked over at her partners. "Please tell me I can hurt her... badly."
"You have to report to Nagato, not us." Kureji shrugged.
Reina smirked as she looked back at Keiko. "A few cuts shouldn't get me in trouble, besides, Nagato loves me." Reina stepped forward to Keiko, a kunai tightly in her hand. "Of course, hurting a girl isn't as hot as hurting a guy."
"You're disgusting and pathetic!" Keiko spat as she attempted to kick Reina back weakly.
Reina laughed as she bent down and casually pulled the kunai across Keiko's face, her eyes windening in delight as the blood began to appear.
"That's it?" Keiko hid her wince.
"Course not." Reina laughed. She reached out and rested her hand on Keiko's knee, suddenly pushing her hand down, a loud snap echoing in the room.
Keiko bit her lip and tears sprang to her eyes. 'I've had worse in an illusion! I've had worse in an illusion!' Keiko breathed deeply as she gasped for air. "T-that's it?" She spat. "Do...better!"
Reina laughed as she stood back up. "Don't tempt me."
"I...just...did." Keiko laughed, as she held her knee gently.
Reina kicked Keiko across the face before walking out and locking the door, calling back, "We stopped for the night, enjoy yourself in here, and I have vines sucking your chakra so you can't leave."
"You're a pathetic shinobi!" Keiko called after.
Yama sat up straight and rubbed his temples. 'I-I thought I heard Keiko scream.' He frowned, he missed her and was worrying so much.
"Did you have a good sleep?" Hibiki asked.
Yama nodded weakly. "It's still dark out - Minako sleeps?" He asked, noticing Minako curled up against Hibiki.
"Not exactly in the best way, but she does. She had a bad dream, and woke up momentarily."
Yama looked nervously at her. "What about?"
"Me." Hibiki replied.
Yama looked at Hibiki strangely. "I'm guessing it was bad?"
Hibiki nodded. "It may happen, and it may not happen, but I'm not about to abandon you to retrieve Keiko, and Minako was very upset."
Yama nodded. "I'm so sorry you had to come with me, b-but I wasn't going to leave Keiko."
"I know, and that's alright. Since I was a child, my parents had taught me, especially my father, that no matter the situation, you never abandon a teammate."
Yama smiled at Hibiki. Minako stirred in Hibiki's arms. "You have almost lost Minako before, haven't you?" He asked. "That's why you're helping me."
Hibiki nodded. "At the hands of my own master. I couldn't do anything about it either. I felt useless."
Yama sighed. "That's how I feel now for Keiko."
"That's why I'm not about to leave. I love Minako to death and if anything were to happen to her, I'd die."
Minako laughed. "I heard that you know." She whispered, keeping her eyes closed.
Yama smiled at the pair.
Hibiki chuckled lightly and kissed her softly. "It's the truth. I really am sorry, Minako, but I can't not help."
Minako nodded and curled up closer to him, looking over at Yama. "I understand. I'm sorry, Yama. I'm just worried, I do want to help."
Yama nodded. "I understand, but I thank you, Minako."
She smiled and nodded looking up at Hibiki again. "I don't think I've ever heard you say that before." She giggled.
Hibiki blushed lightly. "I'm glad you could hear it then?"
Minako nodded. "Me too." She pulled back from Hibiki and stood up. "I'll be back." She told them heading toward the mouth of the cave.
"Where are you going?" Hibiki asked and stood up to follow Minako. "You can't just be worried about me, go off somewhere and not expect me to worry back."
Minako turned to face him. "My mother was born in the rock village and later moved to Suna. When she died she was buried under a tree she loved as a girl, it's not far from here, I promise I will be fine." She assured him, trying to hide how upset thinking of her mother made her.
"We're coming." Hibiki announced, looking to Yama for confirmation.
Yama nodded, pulling himself to his feet.
Minako shook her head. "I-I don't need you two to follow me." She whispered.
"I don't care, I love you too much to let you go anywhere without me in our circumstances." Hibiki smiled.
Minako blushed. "F-Fine but... ignore... how I will act." She told him, leaving the cave.
Hibiki nodded as him and Yama began to follow behind.
"I'm thirsty!" Keiko sreamed at the top of her lungs.
Reina stepped into the room and looked down at Keiko with a dull expression. "Really?"
"No, I just thought I'd scream that I'm thirsty for absolutely no reason at all."
"Good, then I can go." Reina said, turning to leave.
"You can die of thirst, you know. Your body will dehydrate."
Reina didn't reply as she stepped out and closed the door. Moments later she returned and bent down in front of Keiko, handing her a glass of water.
"I've decided I'd rather die then go to your pathetic uncle." Keiko smirked.
"You get no option." Reina sighed.
"Who says?"
"My orders. My uncle wanted a valuable shinobi, and you fit."
"No I don't. I'm pathetic myself. No one likes me, I'm worthless. I'm even worthless to Yama-san, whom I love dearly but don't deserve. I'd rather die then to face him knowing I failed as a girlfriend." Keiko diverted her eyes from Reina's.
Reina frowned at Keiko. "Look, you may think you're useless as a person, but by clan traits, you are far from pathetic."
"No, trust me. I'm useless, even as a shinobi. I can never do anything right, I never paid attention in school - but somehow I managed to pass - and I don't know much about my own clan."
"That's where my uncle comes in. He can help you know your abilites and learn how to master them."
"I'd rather die."
"That's not for me to decide." Reina said, standing up.
"But it is for me to decide."
"No, you wish it was."
"No, I know it is." Keiko glared at Reina. "Besides, I'm going to die before I get to him."
"Why you say that?" Reina asked.
"'Cause I'm not going to take that drink."
Reina shrugged. "Not my problem."
"It will be." Keiko stuck her tongue out.
Reina kicked Keiko in the gut. "That guy you're with is so hot, how can he stand someone so childish?"
"I already said I was worthless to him."
"Clearly." Reina said, walking out again and locking the door.
Keiko narrowed her eyes. 'I'm not going alive!' Keiko reached into her pouch and took a kunai out, pushing it into her stomach. She let out a sharp gasp as she pushed it deeper. 'I love you...Yama. I'm sorry...'
Reina had planted a flower near Keiko, which acted like a camera. A vine suddenly ripped the kunai from Keiko's hand, and another vine stole her pouch.
"It's too late!" Keiko said weakly and she fell to her side. "I'll just die of blood loss." Keiko looked down at the ground where blood started to drip profusely from the wound.
Reina stepped inside and bent down in front of Keiko. Her hand glew a green ora as the wound slowly healed. "Where do you think Hibiki learned how to heal?"
Keiko glared before moving to shove her fingers deep inside her wound, pulling a sharp gasp from her lips. The further she pushed her hand the harder she started to scream. "I refuse to go alive!" She screamed weakly.
Reina stood and sighed. "All you're doing is causing yourself to suffer."
"As I said, I'm going to die whether you like it or not."