The Curse

Chapter Five: Answers

Sakura winced as the pressure of the large talons digging into her shoulders tightened fractionally, her fingers trembling with effort to keep a secure hold on her Battle Axe. The wind whipped her pastel-pink locks around wildly, viridian eyes narrowed as she noticed the fog begin to thicken over the Border Village just a half a mile ahead of them – had she really run that far into the forest? Her gaze trailed hesitantly back to the wooden Bridge, the faint light of her forgotten lantern flickering periodically and eerily causing the blood tracks from Yoshiro's body to become more prominent. The mist slithered ominously over the Bridge, immediately extinguishing the flame of her lantern and causing Sakura to lose all sight of the evacuated Village.

"Shit," The boy above her cursed quietly against the wind, the Medic's head snapping up with curious wariness, her pink brows furrowed.

Suddenly, the large eagle gave a piercing cry, the sound echoing through the night as the creature jerked suddenly, causing Sakura to jar violently and the pain in her shoulders to return full-force. The jolty movement caused the kunoichi's head to snap momentarily to the side and she distinctly felt her radio being ripped from her ear and the clip on her collar; viridian orbs watched helplessly as the device fell to the darkened forest below, the talons gripping her shoulders and her occupied hands grasping her Battle Axe preventing her from reaching out for the object - knowing that communication would definitely prove useful for whatever situation she was now falling into. With a strained grunt, the kunoichi hefted up her weapon as best as she could and locked her knees around the handle for substituted grip before releasing her fingers and allowing her hands to create a single hand sign, the Axe helpfully disappearing in a puff of smoke permitting less weight for her and the eagle to carry.

"Hold on!" The masculine voice shouted urgently just as the large bird began to dip towards the ground, "Watch it Torio!"

A loud, feminine shriek echoed in the air and Sakura almost thought the loud screech had been caused by herself without her notice; but when a dark shadow flew towards her dangling form, it's desperate cry magnifying as spindly, shadowed arms stretched to grab hold of her Sakura felt her heart drop in pure dread, emerald orbs staring into bottomless black before the startled jerk of Torio forced her to tear her gaze away, barely missing the reach of the creature, her stomach flipping when the large eagle dipped downward back to land.

An outraged moan began to escalate and the kunoichi turned her head against the whipping wind, her watered eyes trying to find the source of the sound, listening as it seemed to converge on her, from behind, below, above, beside. But she couldn't see anything, the fog was too thick, there was no light, the air was getting colder.

"Torio!"

'BLOOD!'

Through the fog the same shadow appeared, flying at Torio head-on with arms outstretched, ready to embrace the eagle in its darkness. Black tendrils of hair fanned out menacingly as its mouth opened in a throaty moan, dark eyes wide as it continued to spill liquid crimson. Sakura seized up as she felt Torio shift to try to avoid the frontal attack, a terrified wail erupting from Torio's large mass and the Medic could feel her heart stop from hearing such a horrible, fear-stricken sound.

"Dive! Dive!"

The familiar sensation of falling filled Sakura's stomach, her body moving like a ragdoll to the eagle's sudden movement. Her shoulders had already gone numb from the pinch of Torio's talons and Sakura wanted nothing more than to be on the ground with the reassurance of being in her element, chakra-infused fists ready to battle instead of hanging limply from the hold of strangers as if live-bait to the dark shadows that were attacking them.

Too surreal…Too strange…What kind of adventure was she being thrust into now?

And then reality hit full force as the talons digging into her shoulders released her, leaving her to fly towards land and hit the ground hard, the momentum of the impact causing her to roll a couple meters before she came to a groaning stop. The pain was unbearable and if the fog hadn't clouded her vision she would have been able to determine her landing and would have alighted in a more graceful manner. Medical instincts kicking in as she judged her pain and sore movements she discerned that her left arm was dislocated from the shoulder, cuts were littered across her body and she had a collection of purpling bruises. Other than that her legs were fine and she was capable of mobility.

Rolling into a sitting position, mind still hazy from the throbbing of her shoulder, Sakura bit her lower lip, breathing deeply, trying to control the moan of pain that wanted to break free from within her throat. Emerald orbs darted towards the dislocated appendage, brows furrowing as her less injured arm readily moved to set the limb back into place, the healing, green chakra of her hand ready to cushion the pain of the inevitable action.

SNAP!

Sakura hissed loudly, tears prickling the corners of her eyes but she blinked them back in determination. Her body shook with the awareness of her injuries and she couldn't help but try to remain as still as possible, her right hand holding her still-throbbing left shoulder, shivering from the biting cold that touched her exposed skin. She could vaguely hear the sound of the eagle's – Torio's? – panicked cries in the background, the occasional hissing, dark whispers answering those sounds and steadily getting louder around her and reminding her of darkened shadows, bloody tears, and the dead Satsuma Yoshiro.

Kami, was she going to die?

Cool hands suddenly grasped onto Sakura's uninjured right shoulder and she unconsciously froze with fear, the tugging that followed caused the blurring of her vision – something she had failed to notice – start to come back into focus. Then her mind began to sharpen and her right hand released her left shoulder and clenched, already focusing her chakra into her fist, strategy and survival beginning to take the forefront of her mind as she darted her gaze towards what had grabbed hold of her.

"Get up Sakura-san! Hurry!"

Viridian clashed with dark blue and Sakura was surprised she didn't find a bottomless black, or even a socket-less gaze, to be staring back at her. Instead she saw emotion in those cobalt depths and the Medic immediately felt the adrenaline and energy begin to seep away from her and become relief, her fist relaxing as she blinked up at the stranger who had saved her from the forest, the fatigue returning as well as the pain of her sore body.

Sakura exhaled a shaky breath as her head began to bow in exhaustion but the stranger was desperate as he tugged her again, forcing her body upward little by little, trying to get her back on her feet. Sakura's brows furrowed as she tiredly met his gaze, alertness slowly coming back to her, and she could recognize the urgency displayed in his blue eyes; then his gaze darted away to something behind her and his eyes widened fractionally and his tugging increased considerably before finally, forcefully, he pulled her back onto her feet.

"Sakura-san, we need to go!" He urged, his eyes still not returning to meet her gaze.

Suspiciously – slowly – Sakura turned her head in the direction of his attention, her body still following his movements, allowing him to drag her along as she peered over her left shoulder. Her eyes widened.

"Run, Sakura-san! Run!"

Her feet began to pick up pace and Sakura turned her head forward, pastel locks flying from the quick gesture as her gaze landed on the stranger's back, his hand clasping her right one, leading her forward, buildings and structures taking shape in the fog ahead of them, her mind registering that they were back in the Rain Border Village. But her gaze was unfocused again, the image of what she had seen behind her playing over and over in her head.

Shadows. Silhouettes. Figures. Something. Numerous of them. They were all emerging from the forest and fog, crossing the Bridge, gliding with the mist over the bloodied trail Yoshiro had left behind. Their forms were not human, limbs bent in grotesque forms, their movements flickering and spastic, the droning of their combined groans drowning out her frantic thoughts and the sprinted steps she and her companion took.

'What are they?'

Sakura couldn't help but chance another glance back, curiosity getting the best of her, heart thudding in her chest with fear of the unknown and mind striving to understand it. What she found was something dark rushing towards them – the same feminine silhouette she had encountered when in Torio's hold – its arms outstretched towards her and her unsuspecting comrade. Beside the approaching form were the same spindly shadow-arms that had taken a hold of Yoshiro on the Bridge, the moans, of the shadows left behind, increasing in volume.

Emerald orbs wide, Sakura did the first thing her mind could process; her hand that was held by the blue-eyed man was instantly reversed in hold, chakra surged through her arm, and she threw him to the side, his surprised gaze locking with hers as they fell to the ground just as a feral cry echoed in the air. Through her peripherals Sakura could see the creature lunge at them but because of her sudden jerk out of its reach, the shadow flew passed them, spindly arms following.

She and the boy both fell to the ground with simultaneous grunts, the Medic making sure she didn't land on her left shoulder before she rolled back into a crouch, eyes narrowed as she clenched her right fist, blue chakra already building up in the tightened appendage. The boy beside her was a little slower getting up, still surprised by the sudden throw and he shook his brown hair from his face. Sakura kept her gaze trained on the dark presence that had landed yards away from them; it's wide, bloodied eyes connected with hers as it turned around, studying Sakura before walking towards her again, the Medic awaiting the inevitable attack.

It wasn't seconds until the creature gave another vicious cry and charged towards them, quick like the black shadow it was. Instantly, Sakura was standing, her right arm instinctively pushing the boy behind her before that same arm used the momentum to pull back, chakra pouring out with clear intention.

"NO!" The yell caught her off guard and she faltered slightly, "Don't touch it!"

With the creature just meters away and rapidly closing in, Sakura was surprised when a sudden force pushed her back to the ground, the familiar bodily form – the boy – landing atop her and sending a jolt of pain through her left shoulder where she landed. Her eyes had been wide open and as she fell – gaze to the sky – she could see the shadow pass overhead, barely missing them, its outraged howl following.

"What the hell?" Sakura hissed, half in pain and half in annoyance, "What are you doing?"

Blue eyes sternly connected with hers and the Medic fell silent with the amount of emotion she witnessed in those cobalt depths – sad and afraid.

"You just can't touch them," He stated gravely before pushing himself up and pulling her to her feet again.

Before Sakura could speak, she was pushed back the same way she had done to him, protected from the view of the dark creatures approaching, the boy in front of her creating a series of hand signs before he spread out his arms, fire bursting forth from his fingers as oil simultaneously spilled out from containers hidden beneath his sleeves.

"Katon no Tatsumaki no Jutsu!"

He directed his attack in a horizontal manner, creating a wall of fire and causing a shriek of anger and following groans of despair to fill the air, the shadows and figures barely visible through the flames. Sakura observed in awe as she watched the dark flickering of their forms dance across the fire trying to find an opening towards them, the orange glow causing her gaze to alter to the sudden light. But, it seemed the shadows were adjusting, testing the flames, almost as if they were adapting to the heat and were going to walk through unscathed at any moment, but before she could see the result, Sakura was being dragged away once more, further into the village.

"They're too fast!" Sakura stated as she sped up to run beside him, her eyes wide, "We can't outrun those things."

"I know," The boy answered, his blue eyes darting around the different structures and buildings they passed, tone hardened.

Not liking the answer, Sakura frowned, "Then what are we doing? And if we can't fight them because we can't touch them, just…just what do we do!"

He side-glanced her way, picking up the panic lacing her tone, her green eyes becoming glassy, brows furrowed with worry and a hint of fear. Ninja didn't like feeling helpless and useless and unfamiliar; ninja prided in the knowledge of their arts and he knew that Haruno Sakura had not met a situation like this before in her entire life.

But he was still going to need her help.

"Trust me," He whispered, tugging on her arm reassuringly and then they were turning down an alleyway, into more darkness that caused Sakura to tense further, gaze trying to find the boy's back in front of her yet only finding comfort in the firm hold he kept on her hand.

Then they stopped. It was silent.

"Wha–" Her words were cut off by an urgent squeeze of her hand and her mouth immediately shut, viridian orbs finding cobalt in the darkness.

The boy placed a single finger to his lips – a little difficult to see in the obscurity of night and mist – requesting her complete silence, before he turned away from her, releasing her hand and almost causing the Medic to utter a panicked whimper. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness she watched as the boy walked up to a closed back-entryway, observing the door and handle at a hurried pace. As he did this, Sakura looked around the alleyway, finding emptiness and another door on the opposite wall. The fog was still thick and the wind was picking up at a stronger current, both ends of the alley empty of life. Spreading her chakra, enough for herself not to be detected, the Medic searched for any signs of life and found nothing but her new comrade, brows furrowing in confusion.

Were they gone? And if anything, what were they exactly?

CRASH!

Sakura snapped her head back towards her companion, watching as he slammed once more into the locked door shoulder-first before the entry gave way to the impact. Not seconds later a chill crawled up Sakura's spine and a collection of cries and groans sounded and in her minor vision Sakura could see shadows appear at both ends of the alley.

"Sakura-san!"

The Medic was quick to respond, following the boy into the house, the door slamming closed behind her, though with a broken lock it was pointless. However, her companion took her hand again and dragged her further into the house. It was a homely interior, comfortable and organized and Sakura could only register running through a kitchen, past a set of stairs leading to the upper level – where she heard a resounding crash of glass – and by the locked front door where she was roughly pushed into a living room, stumbling into a dead end where all she saw was a small table, a couch and recliner, shelves filled with books, and two large windows covered by thick curtains.

The boy started muttering behind her and Sakura watched as he slammed the shoji door closed, effectively trapping them from the rest of the house and the Medic couldn't help but feel desperately alone, with no way out, awaiting her death, wondering what those shadows – those demons – were going to do with them when they caught up.

Strong hands took her by the shoulders – she flinched when pain shot up her left shoulder once more – and blue eyes looked at her urgently before he gently, yet hurriedly pushed her down onto the floor to lie still. Confused and feeling the panic begin to surface Sakura began to struggle against him.

"What are you doing–?"

"Just stay down," He answered softly, another crash upstairs sounded followed by a babble of hisses and whispers, "Don't move."

He didn't wait for her answer, but cast a meaningful glance at her before getting back to his feet and rummaging quickly through his back pouch. Sakura stayed still, lying there, questioning herself and her lacking action, wishing this was all just a nightmare that she could just wake up from.

Wishing she was with Naruto and Sasuke.

Up on the ceiling, Sakura could see one corner begin to get darker as if something was seeping through the cracks. Beside her the windows were beginning to rattle. The hissing and groaning around her was getting louder and Sakura just wanted to cover her ears and close her eyes and scream; instead she watched the boy – this boy her age who was now standing above her in the center of the room – his eyes closed and mumbling quietly, blue chakra bordering his body and around the stack of rectangular papers – ofudas? – held in his hand.

"Fuuinjutsu: Nijuu Kekkai!"

His eyes snapped open and Sakura watched as the stack of ofudas shot from his hand around the room, sticking to the surface of the walls, windows, and the large shoji door they had come from. All pieces glowed as bright a blue as the chakra that had been surrounding the boy and once they had all settled on the various surface of the room, the results were immediate.

Sakura watched as the darkness that had been seeping from the ceiling pulled back, disappearing; the rattling windows ceased and the hissing and whispered escalated into frustrated and outraged cries. The boy fell to his knees beside her, breathing heavily and Sakura was instantly sitting up, checking his condition and allowing more questions to invade her scattered head.

"What did you do?" Sakura whispered as she placed a hand on his shoulder, viridian orbs already taking in the glowing blue objects and concluding they were seals, "Ofudas?"

"Yes," He nodded, still regulating his breathing though looking up to make sure everything was in order, "They'll be able to keep them out, at least until morning…And that's all the time we need."

"How is it doing it?" Sakura inquired as she stood, moving towards one of the wards knowing not to touch them but scrutinizing the characters written on it and how it worked, "Keeping them out, I mean."

"They don't take too well to heavy amounts of chakra; each seal probably has ten shinobis' worth of chakra…It takes a lot of time to make and I don't have many left," He stood, looking around the room before he found a few candlesticks standing on the shelves, walking over and lighting them before he placed them on the table, "They don't like light either, and heat is always a surprise to them – fire, I mean – but they adapt to it, not entirely though, it's still a minor weakness to them. We just need to wait this out until the sun rises…They'll leave when day breaks."

Sakura watched him silently. With the lessened threat of danger she was able to finally study who her companion was, green eyes narrowed as she considered him. His posture was heavy yet still alert, a shinobi no doubt but a tired one. His face was lined with fatigue and his blue orbs were hardened as he stared blankly at the flickering candles. His build was a mixture between Naruto and Sasuke, tall like her blonde best friend but lean and muscled like the Uchiha. His shoulder-length brown locks were mussed and his clothes were dirtied. He was a handsome boy, her age she knew, and by the way he was dressed, armed, used Jutsu and generally handled himself she concluded he was also a shinobi. But his headband was missing so she wasn't sure from which country he originated – Rain perhaps?

And his expression: sad, sullen, brooding…It reminded her of someone: Sasuke…

"…Where is your eagle?" Sakura asked quietly as she took a seat on the arm of the couch, watching him, "Torio? Is…Is he okay?"

The boy nodded without looking at her, "I dismissed him when we touched land…He wouldn't have been able to hold out much longer."

Silence again and Sakura shifted uncomfortably, wringing her hands together before looking up at the boy and finding him watching her intently; she sighed and pushed forward, "…Who are you exactly? You…You said you called me here and I'm assuming you need my help, but…but just what is going on?"

The boy bit his cheek – an action that seemed childish for a boy of his serious nature – before he turned to her direction fully, the steady groans and moans outside drowning out of Sakura's mind as she waited for his much-needed explanation, "…Sakura-san, my name is Makoto Dai. I am a Chuunin shinobi of Bird Country and I called you here on deception for your help," He ran his hands through his brown locks, before returning his gaze to hers, "I looked through your files in this Village's records and I called you here for your assistance. There had been other candidates – Hyuuga, Nara, Yamanaka – but your skills were more useful – you are familiar with chakra in the body due to your Medical knowledge and your strategic perception is remarkable. I had no time to have this cleared with my superiors; this problem needs to be solved as soon as possible so I sent a fraudulent request to your Hokage…"

Eyes wide, Sakura tried to wrap her head around what she was just told, "…I see. But what can only my help do? I mean, what are those things?" She tilted her head towards the covered windows, "I sense no chakra, they're fast and unnatural…Are they even people? Is it some sort of disease that needs curing?"

Dai shook his head, "They aren't people…They are unnatural, like you said. We know nothing about them, or at least have very little knowledge of them. It's a mystery," He looked up, "That's where you come in…I need your help to figure this out. Although," He sighed, "I do apologize from which the circumstances of your hiring…"

Sakura breathed in deeply; she knew she couldn't get mad – she had a right to, she could very well have died – but now was not the time; she needed to think rationally and clearly, especially if she wanted to make it back home to Konoha – alive, "Makoto-san–"

"Dai," He corrected; his expression was serious.

Sakura blinked, "Dai-san…I'm flattered that you think so highly in my abilities and skills but having no knowledge of this problem and having no time beforehand to prepare and study up on a solution is difficult, to say the least…As an ally, I want to help, but if it's only the two of us against them…I don't know what good it can do or what help I can be."

"I'll debrief you," Dai explained hurriedly, eyes wide, concern for her decline of the mission evident on his features, "I have any and all information you need, we'll relocate to my village – they haven't reached there yet – and I'll call in for anything you need. I'll answer any questions you have…Just please; please…I need to stop these things from killing people…I need to finally stop this."

She watched as his eyes darkened with grief. Her heart clenched painfully because she recognized that plea. He was a man broken, like Sasuke who had lost his family. He was a man feeling helpless, like she and Naruto had been when Sasuke had defected. Deep down she knew she had to help him and she knew that she wanted to help him. The mystery was eating at her and she could not allow for this terror to run rampant through the country only to eventually overcome her own home and take her own friends and family away from her.

She wouldn't.

"…I'll help you Dai-san," Sakura stated as she stared at the flickering candle, "As a kunoichi, as an ally, and as someone who values life I will help you," She looked back up at him, emerald orbs hardened, lips pulled into a frown, "But you need to tell me everything. When these things leave I'll also have to do a little investigating myself…"

Relief washed over her companion's expression and he instantly bowed his head, "Thank you Sakura-san. I appreciate this immensely!"

A loud groan startled the two shinobi and both pairs of eyes slid towards the shoji door. The light of the candles caused shadows to form across the paper thin doors and Sakura and Dai watched with bated breath as a single figure crawled and dragged itself slowly along the hallway on the other side of the shoji, the sound of the body dragging against the wood and the accompanying grunts sent a jolt down Sakura's already tensed spine. She watched it move in clumsy coordination before it came to a stop beside the door, one hand coming up in attempt to open it only to get shocked by the seals; it reeled back in obvious agony and pain, its shriek echoed by others' before it stood and stayed, completely still in front of the door, its shadow across the shoji menacing. Sakura swallowed, she knew the creature was watching them, as if through the paper thin wall, waiting.

'Ha…Ha…Ha…Ha…Come outside to play with me…'

The children's broken chant started up again but it wasn't coming from the figure standing still outside the door; it sounded like it was coming from outside the house. Eyes narrowed, Sakura crept towards the curtain-covered windows, Dai making a sound of protest behind her.

"Sakura-san, I don't think–"

"Will they hurt me if I look?" Sakura asked, standing next to the window, her gaze divided between the shadow near the door and Dai.

Dai shook his head, "No, but, I wouldn't advise–"

"If I'm going to help you with this, I'm going to need to know all that I can know," Sakura reasoned, and before he could utter another protest she parted the curtains for a peek.

Her heart leapt in her chest and her stomach dropped. Figures of different sizes were standing right outside the window, staring at her, swaying lightly to the children's chant, eyes – bloodied, wide, and some socket-less – staring up at her. Some were expressionless, others were grinning, but they were all staring, right against the window, stopped only by the ofuda Dai had produced beforehand.

'Ha…Ha…Ha…Come outside to play…Ha…Ha…Haruno Sakura…'

The little girl from before, the one who had been in the forest, carrying Yoshiro's foot, was sitting on a swing hanging from a tree just outside the house. She was smiling her eerie smile as she stared at Sakura, singing and speaking in her beautiful, light voice, other unknown children's voices echoing her.

Sakura sucked in a breath, slowly closed the curtain, walked back towards the couch and sat down – well-aware of the shadow still standing on the other side of the shoji.

The Medic closed her eyes and rubbed her temples, muttering under her breath, "What are they?"

"A Curse," Dai answered solemnly, "A mystery…Murderers, monsters, demons…"

"Curse?" Sakura whispered incredulously – it couldn't be, curses didn't exist, they were mistaken as residue chakra or just stories made-up for the purpose to get thrills in scaring others, it had to be something else, "…Yoshiro called it that too…Before they took him."

"Shit…" Dai growled, hand combing through his brown locks again – Sakura was starting to see that simple action as his unconscious way of displaying anxiety, "I thought I left him safe in the Hospital…"

Sakura sighed, "…Then that will probably be the first stop in our investigation tomorrow…"

"Ha…Ha…Ha…Haruno Sakura…Won't you come play? Dai-san…Dai-san…Dai-san…"

"…How do they know our names?" Sakura inquired, watching the shadow on the shoji begin to sway.

Dai shrugged, "…It's always been like that…At least when that girl is around…She's probably somewhere nearby."

"She's outside," Sakura answered, tilting her chin to the window, "On the swing."

Silence resumed again and as much as Sakura wanted to continue her questioning she'd rather press in more secure circumstances. Fatigue was beginning to catch up with her but there was no way in hell she was going to fall asleep with all the moaning and children's laughing and shadows around her. Instead she raised her right hand to her left shoulder, pouring her healing green chakra into the slightly throbbing appendage while quietly assessing whether or not Dai needed medical assistance also.

Fortunately, he seemed to only have a few minor scrapes and bruises. He only looked tired, his dark blue eyes covered by heavy lids but his shoulders were still tensed, his body angled in a way so that he was able to keep an eye on the shoji and the shadow beyond it.

"…I know this isn't an ideal thing to suggest, Sakura-san…But perhaps you should get some sleep…"

Sakura shook her head, "I don't think I could, even if I was completely exhausted…I'd rather stay awake."

Dai nodded his head in understanding and said nothing further.

The Medic, however, made herself comfortable on the couch, pulling her knees to her chest and leaning her cheek atop them. She did her best to drown out the moaning and broken laughter by thinking as much as she could, her thoughts straying to her Team Seven comrades.

Would she ever see them again? What would they do once three days passed and she had failed to show up? Her eyes narrowed: would they come after her only to fall into this hellish nightmare?

She tensed. She couldn't let that happen! She needed to warn them! But how?

The shadow at the shoji moved, a dark arm reaching out before it touched the paper-thin barrier, the cackling of the seal causing a moan of pain to leave the creature but it continued its finger's vertical trek down the partition. Dai had looked up, eyes narrowed suspiciously and Sakura frowned, watching the figure's movements with heightened alertness.

'Blood…Give me blood…I want your blood…'

Sakura watched warily as the hand stopped its trek and the shadow continued its silent sway again. Unlike the children's chant, the voice calling out for blood had been more gravelly and throaty, menacing almost. She looked down at her attire, her skin riddled with various cuts where blood was plainly present and then glanced in Dai's direction, seeing similar cuts on his body also.

Were they drawn to blood specifically?

Shaking her head, Sakura removed her gaze from Dai and the shoji-shadow and placed her right cheek back on her knees, returning to her previous thoughts; thoughts about her Team Seven boys.

Summoning Katsuyu would do no good. Naruto and Sasuke wouldn't be able to summon the slug for information and sending her out into the night was suicide. The Medic could wait until morning, have Katsuyu meet them at the spot and have her inform them not to do anything rash; just go back to Konoha and stay safe.

…Who was she kidding?

This was Naruto and Sasuke. They wouldn't care what kind of danger there was. They'd run through that danger and hell and back just to make sure she was okay.

A small smile curled her lips. Her eyes involuntarily closed.

She'll figure out what to do to keep them safe, somehow, when they arrived. Knowing them, they'd come for her and help her solve this mystery, by her side, while at the same time acting as her shield. They were a team. They were her friends. They were her family.

They were Team Seven; Team Kakashi.

So, she'd wait for them. Because she knew, without a doubt, that they would come.

They would come.

For her.

A/N: Uh…he he, Hi. Sorry for the long wait again. Life has taken my time by storm. Hopefully you all aren't confused so far, feel free to totally PM me if you are confused. Thanks to everyone who have stuck by me and are continuing to stick by me throughout this adventure, and special thanks towards your patience and support during this long wait. Just know that I am incredible SORRY! I know all my other stories need updating, and I'll give you an idea of what will be updated soon:

Forbidden Bonds: (Chapter 5) 50% Finished

It All Started With: (Chapter 16) 45% Finished

False Façade: (Chapter 2) 20% Finished

The Curse: (Chapter 6) 10% Finished

Missing In Action: (New Story – Chapter 1) 100% Finished, Will Post SOON!

Troublesome (One-Shot) 45% Finished

Vengeance (New Story – Chapter 1) 20% Finished

And that's also probably going to be the order in which it will be updated. I hope to get this all done by the weekend. So bear with me and thanks again for your patience and support, you're all the best!

By the Way! Who is starting to get a little scared? Please tell me if there's anything I can work on in my writing skills to make the scare factor even better! Feedback is very much appreciated! Thank you!

Disclaimer: Oh I wish…But no I don't.

Next Chapter: Naruto and Sasuke reappear!

Oh! And I plan on sending out some Pokémon (AAML), Fullmetal Alchemist (EdWin), and Final Fantasy VII (CloudTifa) Fictions too, so if you're FANS, please check them out! :)

You Are All The Best! And Feel Free To PM Me About Recent Naruto Manga Chapters Too! Heehee!

With Love!
Luvinukag83
aka Len83

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