Hello everybody, and welcome to chapter thirty-six of the Winds of Change! See, I told you I'd start updating more regularly. It's not even been a week, and here we are with another chapter! I enjoyed writing this chapter, actually, as we finally get into the swing of things.

I do want to take a moment to say something though. Thank you. Truly, thank you. With your help, we've managed to get an OC fanfiction, some of the most loathed and detested fanfiction around, to over 400 reviews. That's incredible. So, thank you so much, and I hope we can continue to grow to new heights!

So, without further ado, I present to you chapter 36, of the Winds of Change.

Chapter 36:

Her fingers drummed against the stone wall, making soft thuds. Her eyes, blue and alert, swept around the small room. They landed on the form of Sakura, curled up on her bed, asleep. Tali admired her ability to drift off, despite their situation. She wasn't sure if she envied her, though. To be alert could keep you from having a kunai in your back, after all. But she was so tired, the heaviness on her eyelids causing them to slowly droop. Only to pop back open again at the slightest drip.

Sighing, she casually played with her long blonde hair, her gaze continually looking around the room for anything out of the ordinary. It had been about... a week now, since she was taken. Perhaps longer, time seemed to blur together here. She had managed to round down that they were given some rations of food and water about every four hours, but she hadn't counted how many times they were brought food. She hadn't expected to be in that long.

A small niggle of doubt had buried its way into her mind, and she disliked it. It whispered to her, saying that her friends may not come. Or, worse, they had tried and failed.

Reaching for the small amount of water she had left, she drunk it up greedily. Of course, there was the possibility that they were delayed. For all she knew, they could've been coming for her right now. No, it was too quiet for that. She knew her teammates, and Gurei and (sometimes) Kataki seemed to be the only ones who could stay quiet. If they were near, she'd know.

There was a stiffness in her bones from sitting too long, which she rectified with some stretches. She hadn't slept much the past few nights, not since Kabuto took her for interrogation. She had resisted most of his techniques, or so she recalled. Some of it was... fuzzy. Out of place. Off, almost. As if she had perfect clarity of everything, and then there was a small jump cut. Tiny, but noticeable.

There was no point dwelling on it any longer. What happened, well, happened, and she couldn't change it. Still, it dwelled in the back of her mind, along with the voice of doubt about her friends. It was a crippling fear that she had managed to keep under wraps. But, if she waited any longer, it was very possible it would break free.

To say what happened next was a minor tremor would be something of a lie. A rather big one, at that. The entire compound shook, almost as if it was filled with an insurmountable rage that was just now boiling to the surface. Tali fell off her bed, yelping in fright. Such was the force of the tremor, that the world seem to become a blur, her eyesight failing her as every mixed into one solid grey shape. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, it stopped. Dust flitted down from the ceiling, and a distinctive crack ran along the floor, leading into darkness.

"Tali!?" Sakura's voice frantically called out. The blonde haired ninja took a moment to compose herself, taking in a deep breath before standing up. Sakura looked so frightened, her bubblegum pink hair a mess, her jade eyes shining with unshed tears. Her dirty and bedraggled appearance matched with Tali's, both of their clothes covered in dirt and grime. They hadn't been allowed to wash. Still, that wasn't what mattered.

She must have discerned the concerned look in Tali's eyes, because she wiped at her own, fixing the girl in front of her with a small smile. "Sorry, it-it took me by surprise."

"I understand, but it's not that. " Tali smiled, although a small part of her internally berated the girl. She was meant to be a kunoichi, was she not? And yet she was almost blubbering like a child. Still, it was not right to judge her as such. It had come to a shock to her, and quite frankly it was only due to the stern stares she got from Itachi whenever she cried, that she learned to stop. Perhaps a few years ago she would've cried, also.

"You're not injured, are you?" Sakura asked, concern etched in her eyes. Tali shook her head. "Oh, good."

Tali smiled back at her briefly, before the door to their cell swung open.

"Ladies."

Tali sneered, while Sakura looked a mix between surprised and fearful.

Kabuto stood in the doorway, grinning menacingly at the two girls in front of him. Two Sound Ninja flanked him on both sides, their eyes cold and hard. "Shall we go?"

Tali scowled. "I'm not going anywhere with you!"

Kabuto adjusted his glasses. "I'm afraid Lord Orochimaru wants you alive. Come, it's time we brought you to him."

"Orochimaru's here!?" Sakura thought, cold dread creeping up her spine. "No, I'm not going with you."

Kabuto frowned momentarily, but that was soon replaced with another cocky grin. "You assume it's a choice. How amusing. Let me be clear. If you come quietly, I won't have to maim you. I rather like you two, actually, and damaging you would not only make me sad, but Lord Orochimaru would prefer for you to stay intact."

"Don't mock us Kabuto!" Tali hissed. "Leave us alone! We've done nothing to you!"

"And now you plead for your life?" The sadistic glint in Kabuto's eye was more than enough to show how much he was enjoying this. "How... cute. But, I shall repeat this once, and only once more. I will take you to Lord Orochimaru, and-"

"Ugh, boss?" A voice called from behind the grey haired medic nin. He swung around, eyes sharp and deadly.

"What!?"

"I don't think we were meant to go to Lord Orochimaru, sir. Aren't we meant to go and see K-"

A kunai appeared in Kabuto's hand, and before a second had passed the Sound Ninja was clutching his throat, blood pooling out of the deep gash and onto the floor. After a few moments, he collapsed, spasmed, and stopped moving.

Sakura looked horrified and disgusted, while Tali looked away.

"Enough of this! Seize them!" Kabuto spat, placing the bloody kunai back into his pouch. The two other ninja seemed unfazed by their comrades death, moving forward to grab the two girls.

Sakura flinched backwards, but a short shake of the head from Tali stopped her. "There's no point. Let them take us."

Kabuto, who had been glaring at the downed form of the man he had just killed, inclined his head back and smiled. "Good. I'm glad to see you're willing to compromise."

Tali did not reply, and allowed her hands to be tied with chakra binding rope.

"Off to the executioners block. Again," She thought glumly.

"I don't want to die!" Sakura's inside voice screamed, but she ignored it, keeping her gaze impassive. Silently, she prayed that she would get to see her family and friends one more time. Just once more. That was all she asked.

The mood was sombre as they were both led down the corridor. The sound ninja stood behind them, and both girls could feel their cold eyes staring intently at their backs. Was this how it was going to end?

Sakura could barely keep herself from crying. How long had it been? A week, at the most. And they hadn't come for her. It stung, deeply. Her teammates... they hadn't come. Nobody had come. Not Naruto, not Sasuke, not Kakashi-sensei, not Ino, not her mother or father, nobody!

But, why would they? What did she offer to their group? Nothing, that's what. The weak little kunoichi that they always had to protect. Always had to watch out for to make sure she didn't trip, or fall. A little girl that always needed saving from the bad men. That is what she had become. No, that's what she had been all along.

She hazarded a gaze up at Tali, the blonde haired girl walking far too calmy. They were going to Orochimaru! He... was a monster. A sick, sick freak. And they were being led to him like lambs to the slaughter. And what was far, far worse, was that she could do nothing. Tali could do nothing.

The binds on her wrists were cutting into her skin, but something else was off. She felt it. In fact, she'd been feeling it for a while. Pain, all over her body. Subtle at first, a slight ache here or there. But, now, she could feel it all over. While not intense, it hurt. She winced. Tali noticed, concern in her blue eyes. "Are you okay-"

"No talking!" One of the ninja behind her snapped, clocking her over the back of the head with a loud smack.

Tali didn't reply and continued walking. She did, however, keep glancing back in Sakura's direction every so often.

The corridors seemed to stretch on and on endlessly, and Sakura's legs began to tire. In fact, she felt hot... so very hot. She was sweating, badly. She shook her head, clearing some of the dizziness that overcame her vision suddenly.

What was happening. She felt... so... tired...

"Sakura!" Tali cried out in fear as the pink haired ninja slumped against the wall. She went to reach a hand out to her fellow captive, only to have it slapped away forcefully by one of the ninja.

"Stay out of it," he snarled, shoving Tali up against a wall, a hand clasped around her throat.

Kabuto paused at his position at the front of the group, turning around, a look of disapproval apparent on his features. "What's the hold up?" He barked.

"The girl... she's not looking so good, sir." The ninja that didn't have Tali pinned against the wall said, keeping his gaze on the girl.

Sakura breathing was getting more ragged by the moment, and she could feel such weight on her bones. What was going on? This was... insanity. Something... they had to have done something to her. Was she poisoned!?

"What..." Her voice was weak, and almost inaudible, unlike the forceful tone the kunoichi would normally use," What have you done t-to me?"

Kabuto grinned, adjusting his glasses. "It seems it's working."

"What is you bast-"

Tali didn't get to finish her sentence, the weight of the man's arm pressing against her throat. She struggle for breath, flailing her arms and legs about. This only made the sound ninja push against her harder. "You should know your-argh!"

A kunai, black as knight and sharp as wind struck him in the side of the neck, sending him crashing to the floor. A black blur entered her version as she struggled to breath, and there was a sound of something snapping as the other sound ninja slumped to the floor.

"You-"

Kabuto went to charge the attacker, only to be blocked out of nowhere by another. Kunai clashed with kunai, before Kabuto was forced to bounce back. He grunted in annoyance. "Well, I'm impressed you found us so quickly."

Having finally gathered enough air in her lungs, Tali looked upwards. She couldn't help as her eyes filled with tears, and her mouth turned into a mournful smile. "Kura!"

The dark haired girl grinned down at her. "Hey kiddo, miss me?"

Her answer as a huge, sob ridden hug. "I thought you'd never come!"

Kura smiled softly, stroking the blonde hair that was pressed against her bosom. "And be stuck with the boys? Not a chance, I need another girl with me to keep them in line."

Tali pulled back her head and let out a joy filled laugh.

"I hate to interrupt," Kurenai said curtly, her red gaze still fixed on Kabuto. "But now is not the time for reunions. See to Sakura."

Said girl was now on her knees, panting heavier and heavier by the moment. Her eyes were wide and fearful. Kura leaned down, running a hand through the younger girls pink hair. "Shush..." she trailed off, a look of concern coming over her face, "You fine honey. We're here, we've come to rescue you."

Sakura paused her harsh breaths. "R-rescue?" She said, turning her eyes upwards. "K-Kurenai-sensei?"

They had come. Fresh tears formed in her eyes, and she did not stop them from cascading down her face. "Thank you, thank you thank you thank you!"

Kura was taken aback by the girl's sobbing, but Tali merely lifted Sakura up, supporting her weight as she cried. "She's not well. Kabuto... did something to her."

The grey haired medic nin grinned. "I did indeed. We shall see what the consequences of this are, won't we?"

Kurenai growled. "If anything happens to Sakura I'll-"

"You'll what? Beat me? Strike me down? Kill me? You don't stand a chance. You've all been led here, like lambs to the slaughter. Little naive fools, led right into a trap they didn't see coming. And now, you will all die in here."

Before Kurenai could say anything, a kunai whizzed past her, narrowly avoiding her head. Kabuto sidestepped it.

"You're wrong," Kura growled. "I've been trapped before, and damn it, I'm getting these girls out of here and killing you as well!"

Kabuto merely shook his head. "The naive predator has become the weak prey." His grin intensified, turning almost maniacal. "When Sakura's potential unleashes... Hehe, it'll be something magnificent. Although... the possibility of her dying is also rather high..."

"Don't play games Kabuto!" Kurenai snarled.

"No, you're right. I don't have time for games. Right now Lord Orochimaru needs me to deal with his guest. You can have the girl for now, but we'll be back for her corpse later."

And, with that, he turned and fled.

Kura went to chase after him, but the older woman raised up her hand. "What're you doing," she hissed loudly. Kurenai shook her head.

"There's no point going after him now. Sakura needs medical attention, we need to get her back to see Lady Tsunade."

"I... Yes, you're right." Kura frowned, looking at the retreating from of Kabuto. "Let's get this cherry blossom healthy, yes?"

Kurenai nodded.

Both women turned around, Kurenai lifting Sakura into her arms bridal style. She frowned at the girl in her arms. "She's very sick. We need to hurry."

Tali nodded. "Thank you, whoever you are, for coming to save us."

"You're welcome. But save the talking for when we've escaped, if you please."

Tali could not argue with that, and the four women sped down the hallway.

It was silent and dark. Those were the only two words that could describe the large hall. Every crevice seemed to be filled with an impenetrable blackness that not even the brightest flame could penetrate. Pillars held up the large grey ceiling, their silhouettes big and shuddering against the nothingness. However, it was not all dark.

For a single lit candle brightened one end of the room. However, not by much, as it merely showed the small table which it sat on, and a large wooden chair. A large, occupied chair.

Golden eyes slithered around the room, a curved smile on the man's face. He licked his lips.

"Come now." He declared softly, a hiss in his tone.

There was a pause, before a figure emerged, silent as the night itself, cloaked in black.

Orochimaru's smile widened. "It's been a while... Itachi."

The Uchiha removed his cloak, dark eyes cold and hard, mouth set into a grim and hard line. "Orochimaru."

"Why, no need to be so formal!" The villainous snake declared, his eyes brightening with every word he spoke.

Itachi's jaw tightened. "We are not here to exchange pleasantries. I am not your friend."

The Snake Sage's mouth dropped into a scowl. "If you say so."

There was a tense silence.

"Well?" Itachi voiced, his hand moving hesitantly towards his kunai pouch. Orochimaru noticed.

"Kukuku, do not be hasty, I-ta-chi," he sounded out every syllable.

"Do not play games with me!" The Uchiha hissed, losing his cool ever so slightly.

"My my, it seems I'm the only one who makes you angry Itachi. I remember when you were younger, such fond memories..."

"Quiet. Give me the Keystone."

"Impatient, impatient. First, tell me of your students. Are they well?"

Itachi didn't reply, although his already cold eyes grew even more icy. "They're fine."

"I'm sure they won't be soon."

"Give me the Keystone."

Orochimaru grinned. "Kukuku, and where is that fire you displayed earlier? The Will of Fire, perhaps?"

"Hand it over, Orochimaru."

"Do you have the documents?"

Itachi reached under his cloak, pulling out a binder of it. "Hm," Orochimaru frowned disapprovingly, "I thought it would be bigger."

"It's all they had on them," Itachi responded smoothly.

"Ah, yes. To think, loyal little Itachi Uchiha, killing his own-"

"That's enough. The Keystone?"

Orochimaru opened his mouth wide, a large tablet, inscribed with writing indecipherable, and the symbol for Oto front and centre in the middle, slithered out.

"For you." He said, using his tongue to hand it over to Itachi.

The Uchiha frowned, but took the tablet, replacing it with the folder.

Orochimaru receded his tongue, using it to flip through the binder. He paused. "I know all of this." He stated, anger coming to light in his golden eyes. "You-"

The binder in Orochimaru's possession exploded, smoke bellowing outward. Itachi didn't move a muscle. Although, the corners of his lips up-turned slightly.

He waited, the smoke clearing after a few moments. A smouldering, empty chair remained.

"Kukuku..." Orochimaru's viper like voice called from the darkness. "You think killing me is that easy, I-ta-chi?"

The Keystone glowed. Itachi was momentarily caught off guard, before instinct kicked Uchiha threw the knock off away, getting as much distance as possible. Leaping backwards, he narrowly avoided the blast that showered the room in sparks and smoke. He landed flawlessly, his coal black eyes surveying the area for Orochimaru. His hand dipped into the kunai pouch strapped to his thigh, fingering a kunai and bringing it out. The metal was cool to touch, a refreshing change from the overbearing darkness. A swish behind him alerted him to danger, and he twisted his body around. Metal clashed against metal, the other kunai harmlessly being knocked away as it clanged to the ground. Another came from the side, aimed for his neck. Itachi ducked this one, letting it sail effortlessly over his head. He made a guess, turning around and launching the kunai in his hand into the darkness. After a few moments, it connected with the ground with a loud clang. He had missed.

There was a soft hissing, and before Itachi's body could react, Orochimaru leapt out of the darkness. The Snake Sennin's jaw was unhinged, his long tongue shooting forwards, a kunai lodged in it's grip. Itachi side-stepped it, narrowly avoiding being pierced. He reached into his pouch, the sharp projectile that found it's way into his grasp being let loose towards the fast approaching ninja. With a cackle, Orochimaru's lithe body twisted in mid air, the kunai missing it's target. Golden eyes glinted with malicious intent as Orochimaru landed silent, striking out with his foot. Itachi used his forearm to block, knocking the leg away before sweeping the legs out from under his opponent. Orochimaru twisted as he fell, his other foot snapping against Itachi's jaw. A bruise had already began to form as Itachi staggered back, unable to defend himself for a few moments. Orochimaru grinned, shooting another foot towards his opponent. Itachi caught on at the last minute, activating his Sharingan and ducking downwards. He caught the foot as it sailed overhead, using the momentum Orochimaru had placed into the kick into throwing him backwards. The Snake Sennin skidded along the floor, before flipping back to his feet and bouncing back into the darkness.

His options were limited, Itachi mused as he took a moment to breathe. Running would be the best option-he needed to save chakra. He was sure Orochimaru wouldn't let him run, however. Despite not having the use of his arms, and the ability to mold most jutsu, this did not mean that Orochimaru was not deadly. In fact, now, he had his back against the proverbial wall. And only when cornered do animals become the most vicious.

Itachi felt something wrap around his foot, yanking it out from under him with reckless abandon. He landed on his hand, propping himself up in order to get back to his feet. Only with the use of his Sharingan did he dodge the barrage of shuriken, pushing himself off the ground and high into the air to avoid the projectiles. He returned with some of his own, a barrage of shuriken and kunai combined being thrown into the darkness. They all seemed to miss.

Itachi landed silently once more, feeling foolish. The deal was bound to go wrong from the start, that was obvious. Orochimaru was too much of a snake to do anything honestly. But that meant he still had possession of the Keystone, and that was dangerous in of itself...

"Hah!"

Orochimaru leapt out of the darkness, his pale skin being overshined by the bright purple poison that coated the Kusanagi that stuck out of his mouth. Itachi leapt to the side, landing with an oomph as Orochimaru soared past him and into the wall, his sword cutting through the stone with no problem. Leaving a deep crack, The Snake Sennin was nowhere near finished, pushing off with his feet to attack once more. Itachi was prepared this time, his obsidian eyes unforgiving as he weaved through the hand-signs, "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

An orange ball of flame, massive in scope, shot out of Itachi's mouth, coating the area in a fiery glow. Orochimaru cursed as the flames engulfed him, turning his body to ash.

Itachi didn't have to wait long for the counterattack, blocking a number of kicks from his opponent. There taijutsu battle went on for a while, neither able to gain the definitive advantage. Despite Itachi having the advantage in terms of Taijutsu, the Kusanagi was making it hard to land any decisive hits.

Blocking a kick with his knee, Itachi drew his fist back and connected with a hard shot to the temple, knocking Orochimaru back. The Snake Sennin bounced for a few moments, before he righted himself. Itachi twisted around, a kunai narrowly avoiding causing serious injury to his neck as it nicked the side of his face. Ducking a sweeping blow from this other Orochimaru, Itachi grasped at his arm, twisting around. As he had predicted, Orochimaru had taken this time to strike forward with the Kusanagi. The blade sunk into the clone instead of Itachi's back, melting into mud.

With an impassive gaze, Itachi leapt backwards, before he blurred through some hand signs as he landed. "Earth Style: Earth Crow Jutsu!

Chunks of earth floated off the ground, forming into the shape of crows. They cawed, bits of stone being spat outwards from their beaks. They charged forward with no abandon, their soulless eyes focused on Orochimaru. The Snake Senning hissed, swallowing the Kusanagi as he jumped backwards. The crows avoided the ground, pinpointing onto their target. He growled in annoyance, running up one of the pillars as the crows chased after him. As he ran up the wall and towards the ceiling, Orochimaru turned his head a full one hundred and eight degrees, shouting, "Earth Style: Mud Shot Jutsu!"

The Snake Sennin opened his mouth wide, as a bombardment of small earthen bullets shot out of his open maw. They smashed into the earthen crows, destroying them in an explosion of dirt.

Orochimaru continued to run on the ceiling, before finally leaping off, his mouth open wide, "Earth Style: Mud Pump Jutsu!"

A large stream of mud torrented out of the jaws of the Snake Ninja, heading straight towards the Uchiha Heir. Itachi remained stock still, fluidly moving his hands,"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

A blast of scorching fire exploded from Itachi's mouth, colliding head on with the torrent of mud. They met with a crash, the two sides battling for control. Itachi won, engulfing the mud and burning it to ash.

Orochimaru landed opposite him, his golden eyes filled with annoyance. "You're trying my patience-"

Itachi's palm smashed into his ribs, sending the Snake Sennin backwards. He smacked into one of the pillars with a decisive crack. Dazed, he felt the ninja wire wrapping around his body, but could do nothing to stop it. Finally, he looked up, ready to bring Kusanagi out. He froze, his mouth still open, his eyes wide, his body still. Red stared back at him, unforgiving and malevolent. A paralysation genjutsu!

"This is your end," Itachi spoke coldly, the line of ninja wire in his hand. He blurred through hand signs-

Kabuto leapt out of the dark, chakra scalpels ablaze. Thrusting his hand forward, he severed Itachi's achilles tendon.

The Uchiha exploded, knocking Kabuto back with such a force he broke the concrete he skidded on. The medical ninja was silent for a few moments, unstirring, before he opened his grey eyes. Pain washed over his head and back, and he pumped chakra to them. He would not die this day. He rose upwards, feeling blood trickle down the back of his neck.

Itachi appeared next to him, kicking him viciously in the side of the head. Kabuto smashed head first into one of the pillars, his neck breaking with a repulsive crunch. Kabuto turned to mud.

"Earth Style: Soaring Fist!"

Itachi turned his red gaze towards the voice, eyes widening a fraction as a large stone fist came crashing towards him. Unable to move in time, he crossed his arms over his chest and face. The fist slammed into him, but Itachi's body wasn't enough to stop it as it continued on it's path, finally stopping as it fractured into the wall.

Itachi panted heavily as he fell to his knees. He'd been reckless to get caught in a trap like that. He could feel the bruises forming on his shoulders and chest, and he winced as he tried to breath. A broken rib, perhaps. It didn't matter now.

Kabuto had run over and untied his master, giving him the once over for wounds. When he found none, he turned his attention back to Itachi.

Gritting his teeth, the Uchiha darted behind one of the pillars. He needed to get out of here, and fast. This fight was taking too long, and-

He leapt to the side as Kusanagi speared through the pillar, narrowly avoiding getting skewered. He skidded along the stone floor, bounding upwards to catch Kabuto's fist. Itachi slammed the Medical Ninja into the stone wall, pushing one foot against Kabuto's hand and twisting. The crack rang out across the room, along with Kabuto's scream of pain. Itachi leapt back from his attacker, rolling on his back to avoid another strike from Kusanagi. With a jolt, he chucked an explosive tag from his pouch, causing an explosion of smoke and flame. He righted himself, leaning against a pillar. Something was most certainly broken.

He couldn't afford to wait much longer, as snake leapt out of the smoke. Itachi sidestepped the serpent. It headbutted the wall, dazing it long enough for the Uchiha to lop off it's head with a kunai. It flailed about for a moment before falling to the ground.

This time, Itachi took the initiative, shooting past the smoke and into the fray. He found nothing behind the smokescreen. A condescending laugh echoed from where the fight had originally started, and Itachi's eyes snapped towards it.

Orochimaru and Kabuto both stood by the smouldering chair, the medical ninja healing his broken wrist. "Thank you for-" The Snake Sennin licked his lips in amusement, "allowing us to delay you."

Kabuto grinned. "We'll be going now. I'll get you back for this one day," he gestured to his hand.

"Goodbye I-ta-chi." And with a venomous laugh, fire appeared at both their feet, until only ash was left.

But that was not the end. The ground rumbled as the pillars all exploded in a shower of fire and sparks, lumps of stone and earth being thrown around everywhere. The ground began to rumble tremendously, cracks appearing in the formally calm stone floor. "Damn it!" The Uchiha momentarily let his calm facade slip into an annoyed one. Still, it lasted for merely a second before it returned to a dispassionate gaze. He weighed his options out quickly as he dodged a piece of falling ceiling. Finally, despite his better judgement, he nodded to himself. Making a hand sign, Itachi felt his body disapparated into multiple function crows. They cawed all at once, before they took off out of the broken door. All around debris fell, stone crumbled and earth was upheaved as explosion after explosion rocked the foundations of the compound. The crows continued down each hallway, the sound of certain death not far behind. They dodged and weaved out of concrete slabs that fell and fractured against the stone. Finally, despite the constant roaring of the earth, the sound of crumbling sounded further and further away as they twisted and turned through the compound. Itachi had outrun death again.

He reformed into his original form and leant against the wall, taking a moment to catch his breath. That jutsu was only meant for short distances, and yet he had travelled four or five minutes with it.

"Three quarters left," He thought, gingerly touching his side. That ribbed would need to be fixed pronto. But, he had a job to do first.

With that, he took one last darkened gaze behind him, before he took off down the corridor.

And there we go! Another good chapter. I'm pretty proud of it myself. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed, and have a great morning/afternoon/evening/night!