Chapter 8: Recovery, Trees, and Rivers
Saya's PoV
I groaned and slowly opened my eyes. There was a sharp pain in my chest, and I could vaguely feel bandages wrapped around the area.
I searched my memory for what could have happened, then blushed when I remembered I saved Kiba. I remembered his grief laced heavily in his voice as he screamed my name.
That's something that doesn't happen every day.
I blinked and realized I wasn't anywhere I knew. Sighing, I slowly began to sit up.
Hearing a soft whine of a dog, I turned my head to see Kiba sleeping on the floor. Akamaru was nudging him with his nose. I 'aww'ed at the cute sight and held a breath as pain hit me. I fell back, understanding I wouldn't be getting up anytime soon.
I let out a loud sigh and I heard Kiba jerk awake on the floor. Turning to him, I laughed when I saw his disheveled state. His messy hair was much messier than usual, and his clothes looked slept in. He had dark bags under his eyes, revealing he hadn't been sleeping much.
"Saya?!" He exclaimed loudly. I winced.
"Stop barking, mutt, before you make me go deaf. I'm awake."
He smiled all big and innocent and I realized just how much guilt he felt when I nearly died in his place. As quickly as that adorable smile came, it disappeared and a serious expression took hold.
"Why?" And so he finally asks the question.
"I felt the need to protect you. I'm not big on animal abuse." I stuck my tongue out at him, but I didn't irritate nor amuse him.
"I want the truth."
He wants me to admit I've had a crush on him since I first saw him? That seeing him smile makes my heart skip beats? Of course I decided to lie.
"I didn't want to have to drag your corpse back to Konoha and deal with your crying family." I said this in a monotonous tone, making me wince inwardly at the harsh words. His eyes widened and he looked away.
"I hate you." He murmured.
And now Kiba thinks I'm selfish.
Muttering curse under my breath, I slowly sat up. I gasped in pain many times, but Kiba looked at me with such a hurt expression that it made me not even dare to ask for help. No pleading looks, no complaints, no soft murmurs of 'help me.'
He knew I needed help, but he probably thought I had too much pride to ask for it.
It's not true. I just don't want him to get attached to me. I swung my legs over the bed and placed my elbows on my knees and took a deep breath.
Walking is going to be hell.
Slowly but surely, I placed my feet on the floor. Instantly, the blood rushed to my head and my vision blurred. I stumbled and fell forward.
When I landed on the floor, I began cursing colorfully and let out a whine of pain. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Kiba wanting to do something, but still looking hurt. My fall was loud, and soon Kurenai-sensei ran into the room. She gave Kiba a look.
"And why aren't you helping her?!"
"Because she saved me so she wouldn't have to deal with the burden of me being dead." I flinched at his words and turned my face away so he couldn't see how pained I was, physically and emotionally. Kurenai-sensei sighed and slowly helped me up.
Once I was standing again, she gave me crutches and I took them gratefully. I murmured a soft 'thank you' to her and she smiled. Sensei ruffled my hair and I growled playfully.
"Saya, I want you to train Kiba, Akamaru, and Shino in Chakra control." I nodded.
"Where's the nearest forest?" I asked. She led me downstairs and pointed. I sent her a sign that showed I understood and I limped back upstairs to grab a few kunai.
I motioned for Kiba to follow me and he growled something about 'such a selfish person couldn't train me in anything.' I smiled softly.
It's good he's believing this facade I hide behind. Shino appeared behind me again, and I fell over in surprise. I picked myself up and glared at Shino, but I got over it.
Shino is too awesome to be mad at. I limped to the forest and they followed me, Kiba not too happy. We came to a forest and I threw a kunai at a tree, marking our training area.
"We're going to work on chakra control." I told him. "Everyone here knows what chakra is and what it does, right?" They nodded. "You may use chakra for jutsus, but you aren't using chakra in all the ways." Kiba was about to speak, but I shut him up by walking vertically up a tree. I sent a steady stream of chakra to remain on the tree. "For example, you can use chakra to stand on water and walk up trees." Kiba gawked and Akamaru pranced up next to me. I smirked. "Looks like Akamaru is using chakra the most effectively." I told them.
I threw two kunai at them.
"Run up the tree. Mark every point you've reached with the kunai. Once you can make it up the tree, we'll work on standing on water." I grinned evilly. "Better step on it. I'm not a patient person." Kiba had a frightened expression whilst Shino just began the training. "Do I have to repeat myself, Kiba?" I asked, sending him scrambling up the tree.
There was a wave of pain from my wound and I visibly winced. I slowly let myself down the tree and sat against the trunk.
Even though this was the rain village, I don't see it raining. Maybe this is a rare clear day.
Pain enveloped me again and I winced again. Black spots dominated my vision and I let out a bitter laugh. I clung onto consciousness as I watched Shino and Kiba slowly master tree climbing. My vision grew blurry. A kunai was thrown before my feet and I saw Shino and Kiba at the tops of their trees. It was also early evening. How long had I been fighting for consciousness? I sent them a weak smile and tried to stand. I managed it and they climbed down.
"When're we going to work on water walking?" Kiba asked excitedly. I winced and squinted at the ground.
"Tomorrow." I slurred, trying to walk back in the direction of the house. Akamaru whined in worry and I sent him a reassuring closed eye smile. My teammates followed my turtle pace back to the house.
"Saya, how'd it go?" Sensei inquired as I stepped through the door. I tried to mumble something before I was enveloped in darkness. I vaguely remember hearing someone scramble around and me hitting the floor pretty hard.
I woke up in the same room, with sunlight streaming through the windows. Kiba wasn't anywhere around and I let out a bitter sigh. His sleeping face was what got me through the day yesterday. Calm and peaceful. I sat up, and noticed my wound didn't hurt as much as it did yesterday. I didn't need crutches today and I let out a cheer.
I seemed to always have recovered quickly. Laughing to myself, I bounded into the bathroom and cleaned myself up, doing my regular morning routine. Skipping downstairs, everyone gawked at me.
"Is there something on my face?" I asked, completely serious. They shook their heads and I began smiling again.
To tell the truth, I had a dream in which Kiba and I were dating. It was totally awesome, let me tell you. I'm really disappointed it wasn't reality.
Obviously, that tells the reason for my good mood. Sensei raised an eyebrow.
"I had an awesome dream last night." I contently sighed. She urged me to continue and I shook my head, stating it was personal. I caught myself gazing at Kiba and blushing more than once throughout breakfast.
Once, he caught my blushing and distant look towards him and confusion was spelled out on his face. I blushed harder and looked back at my food, suddenly not hungry.
Soon we were all done with breakfast and I gestured Kiba and Shino to follow me to the river. I told them to stand on water, and at the end of the day they mastered that, too.
I mostly ignored them until they could stand for thirty minutes without falling through.
Well, Shino could probably stand for an hour...
We then went back to the client's house to relax.
We couldn't work on controlling chakra anymore then we already have.
I hung out on the ceiling, calming down and relaxing as I stared up at the stars.
Kiba climbed up and I scowled at him. "I can't get a second of peace and quiet?" I growled at him. He shrugged, and took a seat next to me.
"What are you really like?" He mumbled, not intending for me to hear.
I smirked at him.
"I'm just not how I seem." I grinned, and slid off the roof before he could question me.
I didn't want him to know the real me.
Once I landed safely on the ground, I sent him a quick happy wave before darting inside.
AN: finally done! Lol this might not be a long wait for any of you but it's annoying for me. You guys are lucky I had study hall today so I wrote all that class, wrote a little in lunch, and finally finished up in gym. I'm finishing this author note in English lmao! I love you guys, review me and tell me how much I suck at writing! XD