I would like to just say a quick thanks to everyone for the well wishes and support! It means so much, especially at the moment.

Thank you!

I decided to just write and post this one so if you find any mistakes or have any questions just send me a message :)

Disclaimer: I'm sure you know that I don't own Naruto by now..?

"I have to keep going. I've got to keep going."

I feel an odd sense of satisfaction bloom in my chest. After spending what felt like forever, probably only about two days, in the black void I had found myself in a dense forest. Light filtered through the trees, creating brindled patterns across the rough bark and leaf littered ground. Despite the beauty and peace of the forest something set me on edge. Not once had I seen any sign of life. Nothing moved. There was no noise. Just trees. And me. It's unnerving and I begin to worry. This could be worse than the inky black nothingness I had just escaped. The silence was oppressing. My every nerve feel supercharged; all my senses are straining. I'm waiting for something, something bad.

'I need to move.'

The stray thought crosses my mind and I'm off. Branches snap under my feet and across my chest as I struggle to keep going. Scratches and cuts from unseen briars mar my flesh. I'm running blindly, crashing ungracefully through the canopy. Pure, unadulterated fear courses through my veins forcing me on through my discomfort. I can't give up. I can't go back. I'll die.

SNAP!

I fall! Down, down through the darkness, towards the ground. I can't move. I can't breathe. The world starts to spin and blur.

A shadowy figure steps out from the tree line.

The world goes black. I crash into unconsciousness unable to keep my body from falling into the clutches of the mysterious, sinister figure.

I'm flying, moving through the air, light as a feather. My hair brushes across my face as the wind caresses my cheek. I struggle to remember.

"Come on. Wake up."

I know that voice. It's deep and I find its lack of enthusiasm strangely comforting. I move towards it instinctively. It makes me feel safe and secure. I forget my troubles. I feel warmth against my back. I'm not flying. I'm being carried. I remember the figure.

'It's carrying me.'

The thought doesn't disturb me as much as it probably should have. I feel an odd sense of peace and calm. I try to open my eyes.

'Why can't I open my eyes?'

I start to breath heavily. I'm lost. I can't find myself. I'm scared. I was running. What was I running from?

I struggle against the restraints holding me.

"Darn Temari, why are you always such a pain? Troublesome woman."

A soft chuckle emits from somewhere to my right.

Strong arms wrap around my waist. Hands hold me close, running up and down my back repetitively. They make me feel secure. The bubbling fear dissolves under the soft touch.

I can't think.

I frown.

'This is wrong.'

I have a bad feeling. A really bad feeling.

'I need to move.'

Temari opened her eyes and squinted in the dim light. The gruesome images of her dreams haunted her, making her feel small again. Alone and afraid; the way she had felt just after her mother had died.

Three figures were huddled around her, illuminated by only a sliver of light. Each person wore identical concerned expressions. She briefly studied each person critically, noting that they were all looking worse for wear. Seeing their tired, gloomy, unwashed and bruised features she winced and her guilt flared. A quick glance down at herself revealed her similarly unkempt condition. Temari raised her hands, noting the blood which had soaked through patches of the torn fabric that wrapped each of her fingers, before carefully unwrapping the makeshift bandages. The sight of her bloody, mangled fingers caused a light gasp to slip past her lips and alerted the others who surrounded her quickly. Not before she saw the scrape marks on the floor by her hands. It was clear that the wounds were self-inflicted.

"What's going on? Where are we?" She asked, her weak voice breaking from disuse.

Or screaming…

"Shhh, lady Temari." Takumi warned. He pointed a gloved finger toward the roof. The shadow of a large man loomed above them.

"You've been out for at least three days, maybe four." Matsuri informed her, sharing a look with Haruko.

Temari looked around the hole they were trapped in as she struggled upright. The faint lighting only allowed a brief inspection of the seemingly empty space. The area appeared dank and dark. The walls were too smooth to climb and the area too small to use her fan without causing more injuries. They were stuck.

Apparently we aren't be kept with the others. If they're still alive that is. Maybe this is where they spent their last hours?

"What happened?"

Matsuri looked back at her, unsure.

"They got the better of us. There are only two of them. From what I can remember, everything's… hazy. One has an advanced mastery of both lightning and fire style and the big guy up there specialises in earth style jutsu."

Guess that explains the electrical storms.

Temari nodded at the explanation, understanding how they were defeated. Wind style was of no use against fire, neither would Haruko's own fire style, lightning negated Takumi's water style and the earth style would easily shield both Matsuri's weapon attacks and Haruko's taijutsu.

It's almost like they were specially chosen.

"Defeated by only two opponents?" she repeated wearily.

Kankuro's going to have a field day! …If I make it out alive.

There was an uncomfortable silence as Temari rubbed her face and noticed a deep burning sensation run through her leg. The briefest jostle of the area had her hissing.

If it hurts this much I don't even want to look.

"How do you feel?" Haruko's gentle question drew Temari's thoughts away from her injured leg and she scrubbed her face with her hands. Despite her long sleep a wave of exhaustion passed through her and she struggled to keep her eyes open.

"Honestly? I'm tired. I feel like I'm could fall asleep at any moment." Her accompanying yawn and the closing of her eyes caused a flurry of concern and anxiety from her teammates. While she had slept she had been screaming; tossing and turning, crying and it only got worse when they had tried to comfort her or alleviate any pain. No one had ever witnessed any form of terror or distress from Temari and it unnerved the whole group.

Temari gently lowered herself back onto the floor, moving her damaged leg with extra caution. She had just made it back into her previous position when her eyes drifted shut and her breathing evened out.

Hope you enjoyed!

We don't have long now; only about three or four chapters. The next one is much longer so I'm hoping it'll make up for the shortness of these recent chapters.. :D

See you soon!