One Day from Konoha

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They refused to sleep, only stopping briefly to shovel some ration packets into their mouths.

Anko had successfully roused Naruto, who had reluctantly taken a few sips of water and a mouthful of dry rations. He seemed coherent, but had spoken not a word, as though focusing completely on simply being conscious.

After a quick application of ointment - which took an unsettling amount of time as the blondes' body was almost completely overrun by sickly green and black - they set back off.

They swung effortlessly back up into the trees, Naruto draped across Itachi's back. It was easier for the Uchiha to carry him this way, but not as comfortable for the blonde boy. Still, Naruto rested his cheek on Itachi's shoulder and fell asleep quickly.

Itachi wasn't sure if his body had become so highly tuned to constant tree travel that he barely noticed his body react to each swing and jump, or if perhaps he was so numb that he couldn't feel his legs anymore.

Despite their improved spirits at being so close to their destination, the group was completely exhausted. They were running on pure adrenalin, and even that was barely keeping them upright

Itachi had witnessed Anko's eyes slip closed mid jump several times, mercifully tugging them open before she hit something.

The group reluctantly stopped for a rest mere hours after their breakfast pit stop, simply too tired to keep up the gruelling pace after so many days.

They laid down, careful to not drift into sleep, but each trying to rest their bodies as much as possible.

Itachi rested against a tree trunk, closing his eyes and willing his body to recuperate.

While most of the group closed their eyes, Naruto's blue orbs slid open.

He lay still, a combined habit of shinobi training and the pure agony he was experiencing. Each limb was on fire, and his chest felt as though he was being stood on by a very fat merchant.

Such was the pain that his lungs felt nearly paralysed, and he could barely draw in half a breath at a time. It was an extremely uncomfortable feeling, akin to being trapped under water and slowly losing breath. He felt the tug of panic at the back of his mind, but the pain drew focus away from it.

His blue eyes shifted mournfully over his group. While he was frequently in and out of consciousness lately, he was still aware based on the trees and scents that Konoha was very close, and for that he was thankful. One of his team would no doubt have a heart attack if forced into this much longer.

Naruto felt eyes on him, and turned to see Genma's flat dark orbs boring into his own, assessing him.

The blond forced a light smile on to his face, trying to reassure the man. By the sound of Genma's grunt, it hadn't been successful. Genma broke eye contact with him as he pulled himself heavily to his feet.

Hearing the movement, both Anko and Itachi's eyes slid open and also began to move.

The Uchiha silently regarded Naruto's opened eyes, but didn't have the energy to speak as he scooped the blonde into his arms, tiny legs dangling.

He did however notice the tightening of Naruto's jaw as he was moved, and attempted to adjust him as gently as he could.

"How ya feeling?" Anko asked the child, eyes wandering critically over his skin.

"Hurts." Was the dull response. He barely even moved his lips to speak, and his breath came in wheezes.

Itachi hoisted the boy from his bridal-style carry to sit him as upright against his chest as he could, hoping to open up the blondes' chest and help ease his panting.

Anko gently ran her hands through the blonde locks in a soothing fashion, a grimace on her face, and they took to the trees again.

The further they travelled, the heavier Naruto's wheezing became, and his body began to burn up in fever. His young eyes remained open, however. Glazed and dull, the blonde fought to stay conscious.

Despite this resilience, Itachi was still uncertain if they would make it in time.

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They were so close that Itachi swore he could smell the scent of Konoha's restaurant district on the breeze. Signs of civilization and heavy travel began to appear - broken branches from clumsy genin, rusted kunai and shuriken embedded in tree trunks.

They had successfully reached Konoha's territory, and in less than an hour would be inside the village walls.

Itachi allowed a small smile of relief to creep up on his face.

Which was wiped off his face almost immediately as he heard his name whispered in a strangled voice.

He almost lost his footing on the next jump as his eyes locked on to the small boys' face. It shone with sweat, damp blonde locks stuck to his face while the rest tangled in the breeze.

Tiny lips were parted as they tried to suck in air, but his gasping showed evidence of failure. Dull blue eyes stared up at him.

Itachi opened his mouth to shush him, to tell him to conserve his strength.

Before he could, the blonde's body shuddered horribly, his eyes rolling into the back of his head, and he fell limp in his arms.

"Anko!" The cry tore from his lips. The kunoichi was at his side in an instant, feeling the boys' neck for a pulse while they still continued to travel desperately.

Seeing her shoulders sag minutely in relief, Itachi knew the boy was still with them, for now.

"Move." Grunted Anko, and they surged forward.

The Uchiha hoisted the tiny, limp body further on to his chest, bringing his blonde head up from where it was resting at an odd angle.

They ran for kilometres, Anko nearly sandwiched against him as they ran so as to keep an eye on the boy's wheezing breath.

Finally, painfully, the wall of Konoha appeared over the tree tops. They were home.

Then Naruto shuddered, sucking in a painful, tight breath before he sagged against Itachi's chest again.

And then he was still.

Itachi counted the heart beats in his throat as they flew through the trees, barely a hundred metres from their goal - the hidden ANBU entrance to the village.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Five.

Naruto still hadn't drawn breath.

"No!" He yelled in a strangled voice, his normal blank Uchiha expression twisting in anguish as he pushed off the branch with the last of his strength.

The Uchiha flew straight through the hidden barrier, not even allowing the ANBU guards time to register the flare that signalled an accepted chakra signal before he was flying deep into the corridors of the headquarters, Anko and Genma hot on his heels.

Reaching the infirmary, Itachi nearly threw the boy down on a vacant bed while Anko pounced on a mildly startled medic nin, babbling feverishly all the information she could give on the blondes' condition.

To her credit, the medic nin recovered swiftly, moving quickly to acquire materials and equipment as she listened with one ear to the purple haired ninja who was clung desperately to one arm.

Genma retreated back against a wall, moving out of the way as a team of medic nin descended on the boy, communicating in low, clear voices as they each grabbed equipment or medication and began to work.

Itachi hovered close to the bed, eyes wide and breath held. His swirling Sharingan was fixed on the blonde, everything else a blur of noise and bustling people.

His vision twisted as he was yanked by the sleeve, a stern looking medic nin leading him from the room. A portion of his mind noticed Anko being escorted in a similar fashion, Genma trailing sluggishly behind.

He turned back to the huddled group to hear the words "not beating" before the door was slammed shut behind him.

It took all of Itachi's willpower not to slam his body against it to reach the boy.

Instead, he had to settle for collapsing back against the hallway wall, sliding down it to join Anko on the floor.

The group sat in stunned silence, barely comprehending that they had finished their journey. Each of their eyes were fixed on the closed door, willing it to offer them some answers, but it was cruelly silent.

It was Anko who began to cry first.