31. The Finish Line

I knew I was screaming, the shrill cry ripped involuntarily from my throat. I couldn't really hear it though, not over the roar of the wind that rushed over my falling form. It pushed and tugged at me, though it did not slow my descent. The extra weight of Sasuke's form, pressed against me tightly, may have contributed to my rapid free fall.

The world was a swirl of color and nondescript shapes but I tried to reign in my thoughts, tried to block out the idea of my imminent death. Think, Nakao!

I tried to tell myself not to panic, but in reality it was a perfect time to panic. Still, I tried to focus, blocking out the chaos around me. Clutching Sasuke with one arm, I freed my other. I pushed chakra into that hand and into the soles of my feet.

Clenching my jaw so tightly it hurt, I did my best to twist in the air so that I was facing the wall. I pushed my feet out as far as I could manage, attempting to attach them to the rocky wall. The velocity of my fall worked against me, however, and my feet only succeeded in sliding against the wall, disrupting dirt and rocks. Desperate, I flung my hand out, grasping for something, anything, to hold onto.

I winced in pain as my fingertips scraped against the rock. My skin broke open, flecks of blood catching the wind. But finally my hand caught hold of a tiny ledge and I held on, pushing all my concentration and chakra into holding on to that ledge. My legs scrambled to catch hold of the wall as well.

A relieved sigh escaped my lips. Thank-

I hadn't completed my thought before the rock beneath my fingers crumbled. I let out a scream as Sasuke and I fell, only to land on my back two feet down.

I let out a grunt of pain as my back hit something solid. Ignoring my protesting body, I struggled into a sitting position, hand absently rubbing at my lower back. I glanced around, noting that I had fallen onto a much larger ledge jutting out from the cliff ten feet above the rushing seat water and lethal-looking rocks.

"That was way too close," I muttered, combing wind-swept bangs out of my eyes.

I peered to my left, to where Sasuke had landed when we dropped the second time. He lay on his side, knees slightly curled up towards his chest. His raven black bangs were strewn across his face. He remained unconscious, his face peaceful and undisturbed.

I crawled the short distance to my teammate and placed a hand on his shoulder, rolling him onto his back. Though his eyes remained closed, I shook him gently. "Sasuke?"

No response; not that I expected one. I frowned, brows wrinkling in concern. He was breathing at least and I watched his chest rise and fall gently for a full minute until I was satisfied.

I turned my attention upwards, my eyes scaling the cliff we'd fallen off of. I could barely see the top of the cliff from my spot down here and I groaned when I realized what I'd have to do. There was one way off this ledge, and it wasn't down.

Hesitantly, I peered over to Sasuke, weariness already settling in every muscle. "Well, looks like I'm hauling your ass up this cliff."

Sighing heavily, I got to my feet. Stretching my muscles, I leaned over to pick up Sasuke.

"Dammit Sasuke, you're going on a diet when we get home," I huffed, struggling to lift his dead weight. I hadn't yet succeeded when a scream reached my ears.

Surprised, I glanced up, squinting towards the top of the cliff. A shape passed in front of the sun and I noticed that a body was beginning to fall towards me and Sasuke. I watched with wide eyes as Aoi's body came into focus, falling straight past me and into the watery depths below. I watched the water foam as it swallowed my enemy.

I let the shock make its way out of my system before I glanced back up. I saw nothing, but could picture Naruto up there, smirking triumphantly. I had no idea what he did or how he'd thrown Aoi to his certain demise, but I grinned, punching a fist out.

"Alright, Naruto!"

A second passed before I heard Naruto's voice ring out. "Nakao?"

"Down here!" I shouted up, cupping hands over my mouth to make the sound travel better.

I watched as several shadows appeared over the lip of the cliff. I couldn't make out any features, not with the sun shining behind them, but I was sure it was Naruto, Sakura and Idate peering down at me.

"You're okay!" I could hear the relief in his voice even as he shouted down at me.

"Sasuke's still unconscious but yes!"

"Hold on! I'll have you out of there in no time!"

"No!" I called back immediately. "I've got this! You guys get Idate to the finish line! If he doesn't win this, I'm gunna be really pissed off!"

I saw the three shapes pull back and I looked behind me, at the bridge that lay against the cliff on the opposite side, swaying from where it remained tethered on the other side. I was just beginning to wonder what they planned to do when Naruto's cry echoed across the canyon.

My gaze snapped upwards to find Naruto, Sakura and Idate flying towards the other side of the cliff using a rope. But the rope was too long, I noted, and a bit of panic rose up inside me when I realized they were about to go splat against the cliff.

Idiots.

I was just thinking that Sakura really should have been smarter than that when I heard her voice yell something. I couldn't hear the words, but a second later the three were nearing the cliff and I watched Naruto and Sakura attach their feet to the wall as I'd tried to do earlier. They succeeded much better than I had and I watched Naruto carry Idate up the wall, Sakura trailing after him.

"Good work, you guys!" I called out as they climbed to flat land and disappeared from view.

A heartbeat later, Naruto ran back to the edge of the cliff, waving wildly down at me. "Sit tight, Nakao! I'll be back to help you before you know it!"

"Hurry up!" I called back, chuckling as Naruto once again took off.

I watched the empty space atop the cliff for a moment before sighing. I noted that my muscles were tense and I tried to relax, realizing that the rest of the race was out of my control. At least we were safe here on this ledge and we wouldn't be dying anytime soon. And so I settled down next to Sasuke.

"Well at least I won't have to carry your heavy ass up this cliff," I sighed, rubbing at my neck.

And still, Sasuke did not respond. My eyes searched his face and I wondered just how strong those electrical currents had been. Sasuke hadn't woken up at the impact of landing or at all of our shouting. His face showed no damage, his hair just slightly frazzled. But my eyes wandered to his chest, where his shirt was singed. Kneeling over, I pulled his shirt up.

A gasp was pulled from my lips as I took in the burns covering Sasuke's chest and abdomen. I wasn't a medical professional and I couldn't discern how bad the burns were, but they were bad enough. The faint scent of burnt flesh floated upwards, assaulting my nostrils. I pulled away, gagging, and quickly yanked his shirt back down.

I took a moment to compose myself, breathing in a large breath of fresh air. I let it wipe out the offending odor and settle my acutely nauseated stomach. As my body eased, I glanced back down to Sasuke.

I wished I had some salve for him, or something to take the pain away, but I didn't. Maybe Sakura had some, but she was hopefully miles away. All I had was bandages and a small amount of antiseptic solution and I took them from a pouch around my waist, bracing myself before I set to work tugging Sasuke's shirt off.

"This might hurt a little bit," I told Sasuke softly, smoothing some bangs from his face, but he didn't answer.

I wasn't entirely sure this was the proper way to treat burns, but I could only do what I could do. I set to rinsing his skin with the solution, anxiously looking to his face now and again, though he didn't even twitch. At least he didn't feel the pain.

Next I began to wrap the bandages around his torso, trying to cover as much of the burns as I could manage. It wasn't easy, as it required me to lift Sasuke while attempting to wrap bandages under him, but I managed. When I finished, I replaced his shirt and sat by his side.

And I simply sat there, my mind a storm of thoughts and worries. I worried for Sasuke and for Naruto and Sakura and Idate and for the Tea Country and everything in between. I wasn't sure if it was for my comfort or his when my hand reached for Sasuke's and I wove our fingers together. And I sat some more, peering up at the sky, watching the clouds float above me.

In the grand scheme of things, it didn't take very long for my teammates to return and haul me and Sasuke up via a rope. I'd barely planted my feet on the ground before I was asking if Idate had won, if they'd made it in time. Naruto answered 'yes' with a big grin on his face and Sakura looked so happy she barely recognized the fact that Sasuke was still unconscious.

We made short work of the journey to the finish line. It was rather close to our location and I was only slightly slowed down by Sasuke's weight as I carried him on my back. Still, we rushed, eager to see Idate receive the official proclamation of winning.

We arrived at the shrine to be met with a ginormous crowd. Excited chatter bubbled from the mass and they all erupted in cheers and clapping as Idate stepped out of the shrine, facing the crowd. Naruto began to shoulder his way to the front and Sakura and I kept close to him. We arrived in the front just in time to see Idate take his spot up on the winner's pedestal.

"Winner: Morino Idate!" a short, overweight man proclaimed.

The cheering was thunderous.

"Yay!" Sakura cheered delightedly as Naruto whistled.

I could not clap, as one arm was holding Sasuke flush against my side, the other holding his arm around my neck. But it was then that I felt my teammate stirring.

"Sasuke?" I questioned, glancing over to see Sasuke blink his eyes.

He blinked several times, his gaze unfocused at first. He seemed disoriented for a minute but he finally raised his head and turned it to look at me. His eyes were tired and weary, but at least they were clear. A smile broke out across my face in relief.

"Good morning, Sleeping Beauty," I teased gently, just loud enough to be heard over the roar of the crowd.

Sasuke only blinked at me, looking incredibly tired and perhaps a bit pained.

"How are you feeling?" I continued but got no response as a shout grabbed my attention.

"That's enough of that!" a man shouldered his way through the crowds to meet Idate and Jirochou. I assumed the man was the leader of the Wagarashi Family, as I recognized the three thugs that flanked him. He shot an accusing finger at Idate. "It seems that Idate rode on the back of a hired ninja half of the race. That's a violation."

"What!?" Naruto scowled.

"I have proof," the man continued, bringing out a photograph and thrusting it forward. Indeed, the picture was of Naruto carrying Idate on his back.

A feudal lord stepped forward, standing beside the man. "They have to make it here on their own strength. Those are the rules of this race. The boy must be disqualified, which means that Fusuke is the winner."

Idate's face was paler than white. Even his lips had lost their color as he pressed them in a firm line.

"That's total bullshit!" I bit out, my mind rushing over the events that had happened over the last twenty-four hours. There were several shouts of agreement from the crowd.

"But w-wait a minute…" Idate stammered.

"I'll have no excuses," the feudal lord cut him off. "Jirochou, you gave your word. I want the Wasabi Family to disband immediately."

"Just a moment."

My eyes shifted at the sound of the new voice. A heavy-set man with a large, round face and tiny eyes stepped up beside Jirochou. He frowned at the feudal lord. "There are no such rules, stop talking nonsense."

"B-But, my lord," the feudal lord stammered. I did not know the man, but he was obviously important if a feudal lord answered to him.

"But what? Are you suggesting I let the Wagarashi win simply because you wish it?" the new arrival asked, his face passive but his tone biting.

"N-No!" the other lord tried, waving his hands before him in surrender.

"Perhaps the reason you want them to win so badly is because you've been accepting bribes," his superior suggested, reaching into his cloak and pulling out his own photograph. It was a picture of the lord taking money from the leader of the Wagarashi family.

The lord grimaced, his eyes wide with fear. Sweat beaded on his brow.

"You ignoramus, you'll give up your position immediately," the superior lord ordered.

"Y-Yes, my lord," the ex-lord bowed.

"And you, Kirokou," the lord turned his gaze on the Wagarashi family member. "I have heard a great deal about the evil deeds you have committed. Your crimes against the people are unforgivable! From this day forth, the Wagarashi Family is no more. Is that clear?"

"Yes Sir…" Kirokou bowed, his face ashen, his shoulders trembling.

In turn, the very important lord laughed cheerfully, his belly shaking as he did so. He turned his back on the disgraced lords and faced Idate. "Now, let's consider this matter ended."

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Late afternoon the next day found us standing near the docks that flanked the Tea Country. The sun was beginning to set, casting an orange hue on everything it touched. The large boat docked behind us rolled gently on the lazy waves of the water.

Jirochou had been kind enough to contact Konoha for us, informing them of Sasuke's injuries. There was no way he'd be able to make the journey home on foot, as walking was currently difficult for him. And so the village had brought a boat to ferry us back.

So intense were Sasuke's injuries that he was currently lying on a stretcher, carried by two citizens of the Tea Country. They stood off to the side of the line my team made, surprisingly furthest from Sakura. Sasuke lay silently and I could sense his wounded pride without even looking at him. And so I stood beside him, keeping a hand resting on his hand. Not that I was of any comfort I'm sure.

Idate stood before us, his expression softer than I'd seen it. "I want to thank you for all your help, Naruto."

Naruto grinned, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah, well, it was my pleasure."

"We helped," I muttered, rolling my eyes. But I wasn't really mad. Aside from everything with Sasuke, the mission had ended well.

At that moment, a figure began to descend the ramp the connected the boat to land. He was a tall man, bald, though this was hidden beneath the headband he used as a bandana to cover his head. His face was marred by two scars, his eyes serious. He stepped onto land, his eyes passing over us. "I've come to get the wounded."

"Ibiki-sensei!" Sakura greeted in surprise.

"Big brother!" Idate's eyes were wide, his voice filled with excitement and a hint of awe.

But Ibiki's expression did not change. He barely even glanced at Idate, showing no sign that he even noticed his presence. "Where is the wounded?"

"Over here," I said, raising a hand. I tried to push the concerned waver in my voice away.

Ibiki glanced in my direction and nodded. "Let's get him on the boat then."

"Right!" Naruto puffed out his chest, marching up the ramp to the boat. The stretcher went next, followed closely by me. Sakura had stopped to say something to Ibiki.

The two men carrying the stretcher set Sasuke down on the far side of the boat. They carefully helped Sasuke sit up, then slid the stretcher out from beneath him. I thanked them as they departed and Sasuke leaned back against the wood of the boat. His left arm was in a sling and he was heavy bandaged beneath his shirt.

Naruto and Sakura remained at the front of the boat, waving their goodbyes. I, however, opted to stay with Sasuke, taking a seat beside him on the floor. I brought my knees up to my chest, my shoulder close enough to Sasuke's that it was just brushing against it. If Sasuke minded, he didn't mention it.

"So long, Idate!"

"Take care now!"

"Come back any time!"

The happy voices and exchanges were white noise to me as the boat pulled away from the pier, beginning its journey home. I was busy watching Sasuke from the corner of my eye. His head was bowed, eyes closed. I longed to know what he was thinking, simultaneously worrying what I'd learn.

Sasuke had been so quiet since we brought him back to Jirochou's complex. I stayed at his side while nurses tended to him, fixing my shoddy bandage job. His face had shown no pain, though I doubted he was short any. He merely stared up at the ceiling, though I was sure he wasn't really seeing it.

No, something was definitely wrong with Sasuke. He was obsessing over something in his mind; I could sense it. I didn't know how or why, but I just could. Perhaps it was the years of practice. Perhaps we had some kind of bond. No. That was silly.

Still, there was something on his mind, no matter how I knew it. I couldn't help but think it had something to do with his fight with Aoi. Was it because he had been beaten? Or the horrible things Aoi had said? Both? Neither? I couldn't be sure. But it unnerved me. I wasn't entirely sure why either.

I was jolted from my thoughts by a pair of footsteps approaching. I glanced up as Sakura neared us, bending at the waist to be eye level with Sasuke. "Sasuke, does it hurt?"

Sasuke merely glanced up at her, his voice monotone when he answered. "No, it doesn't."

Sakura didn't seem to notice anything amiss. She smiled. "Oh good. Don't worry, those wounds will heal once we get back to the village."

Sakura moved away to go speak with Naruto, but she no longer had my attention. It was once again focused on Sasuke, and the sad look that had taken over his features; a sort of distress that wormed around my heart and constricted it. But then Sasuke's face changed. It hardened, his eyes narrowing in a glare. His muscles trembled just slightly, unnoticeable if I hadn't been touching him. I followed his line of sight to find his glower resting on Naruto.

"Sasuke…" I said quietly, just loud enough for him to hear me.

His muscles ceased their trembling. His shoulders slumped, as though a weight had rolled off of them. His face changed and he looked to me, his expression a blank sleight.

"What is it?" I asked softly, eyes searching his, though they revealed nothing.

Sasuke stared at me for a short moment before he turned his head away, once again peering down at his lap. "Nothing."

I frowned. "Please don't lie to me…"

But despite my plea, Sasuke neither spoke nor looked at me. I watched him for a long moment, but he was still as stone. With dread weaving itself around my gut, I glanced over to Naruto. He was leaning over the side of the boat, waving wildly to the ever-shrinking figures on shore.

An idea was beginning to form in my mind; one that I did not care for. I may very well have been right that Sasuke's demeanor centered around Aoi. But perhaps it also circled around the fact that Naruto had beat him…and Sasuke had not.

The thought was troubling to say the least. Sasuke and Naruto's rivalry had never been a healthy one. Instead of using their separate talents to come together and make a formidable team, they hated each other for what they each did not possess. And Sasuke…he had to be the best. I wasn't sure why. Perhaps it went all the way back to his childhood, when he worked every day to measure up to Itachi. Or the fact that he wasn't able to stop Itachi the night of the massacre.

My head was hurting and my heart felt heavy. Everything felt wrong and I didn't know how to fix it. Sasuke wouldn't even let me help him. He wouldn't let me in. I felt powerless, useless. Something was closing in on me, but I could not see what. I could only feel it, pressing on my shoulders, on my chest. I wanted to fight, but this wasn't something I could punch or kick.

Sighing heavily, I let myself lean against Sasuke. I felt his body stiffen beneath mine, but he made no sound. I ignored it all, glancing up at the sky as pink-shrouded clouds hovered overhead. I could feel the comfort of Sasuke's body next to mine, of his warmth; but there was no comfort in the air.

No, that invisible force still pressed in on me. That anxiety still swirled in my chest, that dread in my gut. That hopelessness that rang through every inch of me. There was little I could do other than sit here beside Sasuke, sharing each other's warmth and gazing longingly up at the clouds.

And so that's what I did.

Author's Note:

I finished this chapter quickly (since it's so short) and you all were so lovely to me that I decided to post it early. The suspense is building; what will happen next?

Stay tuned to find out!