Hibiki awoke with a jolt. Remnants of her fuzzy dream still lingering. A hand rested on her shoulder, gently moving her, trying to calmly wake her with a gentle shake. It took a minute before she came back to herself. She was in the abyss again. Her sightless reality.

"Hibiki, wake up," Karin said, gently shaking Hibiki a little more. The fog of her dream finally cleared and Hibiki took a deep breath, slowly releasing it. She stood and stretched, sighing. Her neck hurt, stiff from the odd position she slept in.

"Come on Hibiki, we need to go." Karin smiled. Hibiki's hair was an absolute mess, sticking out in weird places. Karin giggled, and brushed Hibiki's hair with her fingers, taming it. Karin took Hibiki's hand and the two walked through the hall and out into the day. It was warm again, at the edge of the beach stood Sasuke and Suigetsu, waiting for the girls to show. At the edge of the water, Karin got Hibiki on her back and the small group started off back across the ocean.

Karin hung a little behind Sasuke and Suigetsu, the two boys walked in silence.

"How's your nose feeling?" Karin asked. Hibiki touched her nose with her hand.

"A little sore, but better. How does it look?" Hibiki smiled.

"Better than it did. But it will be bruised for a week at least." Karin answered.

The group took up an even pace, moving steadily. It took a few hours for them to reach dry land again. A beach along the coast of the land of Rivers. Hibiki was placed back on her feet, and the two walked side by side as they continued on northward.

"It's been a while Hibiki, how are you?" Karin finally asked.

"Besides the punch to the face, good. I'm sure your life has been far more interesting though, were the prisoners hard to manage?" Hibiki replied.

"No, I had a plan in place, and it worked perfectly. To be honest, it's been a bit boring at the southern hideout, one upside is I was able to play around with my perfumes recently." Karin smiled. Excitement laced her voice.

"When messing around with some new combinations, I made this really nasty one, it was so gross." Karin giggled.

"Well, you could use it as a weapon." Hibiki offered.

"I really could. It was that bad!" Karin laughed.

Karin hadn't laughed or smiled so much since she last saw Hibiki. The girl's chakra is faint, but light, like air. Being with her made Karin feel lighter too. She didn't have anyone else she could feel so relaxed with.

Karin remembered her work with Kabuto, she learned a lot from the man. In many ways she was grateful to him, she gained a place, a home, and a purpose. While being used as a walking chakra machine was depressing at times, she always found comfort in the little blind girl. It took a while for her to learn about Hibiki though. But through determination, and curiosity, she was able to rise in the ranks. Once she was at a high enough level, while the work doubled she finally knew about the mysterious girl.

It wasn't long from then when she realized what Hibiki had meant about choice. And with this simple understanding of each other, their friendship grew. Karin visited Hibiki whenever she could, their individual work kept them busy most of the time, but every so often they would have a few days to rest. They spent that time being the children they were never allowed to be. Karin would braid Hibiki's hair, or they would play games in Hibiki's room. And as time went on and Karin began to open up to her, Hibiki would listen intently to what Karin had to say. Her worries, her fears, Karin had found a person to be human with. It was hard for Karin to see Hibiki so empty. Her smiles were friendly, but her eyes were empty. Karin had made a promise to herself to do what she could to change that emptiness. To bring light to her eyes.

It was after her time with Amachi, that Karin noticed she had become brighter, she seemed to find purpose. And knowing it was probably Suigetsu who ignited this life inside her. Well, Karin was jealous, Hibiki was her best friend. And besides Suigetsu was just wrong, his chakra felt just wrong. He was endlessly annoying and always looking for ways to push her past her breaking point.

That was probably why it was so hard for her to see Hibiki and Suigetsu sitting so close last night. He was the last person on earth she would ever let touch Hibiki. It was just that morning after Suigetsu had woken up that she pummeled him. Or at least tried to, slippery bastard. He was adept at turning his body into water at the moment of impact, making her punches useless.

Karin looked at Hibiki, the girl didn't grow much, she was always shorter than Karin, and that made Karin feel like an elder sister. Even if Hibiki was the older one.

Hibiki groaned a little.

"Hibiki?" Karin asked, concerned.

Then it happened, Hibiki suddenly collapsed. She fell to the ground, barely caught by Karin. Karin's smile dropped as she looked at Hibiki. Her smile was gone, and all humor as well.

"My head hurts…'' she answered in a weak voice. She had collapsed onto her knees and could barely keep her head up.

"Did you hit your head?" Karin asked.

"I hit the wall yesterday…" she answered.

Karin quickly checked Hibiki's head, finding a serious knot on the back of her head.

"Why didn't you tell me? You might have a concussion." Karin scolded.

"Forgot to…" She mumbles as she falls forward passing out.

Karin quickly set Hibiki up against a tree, It was then that the two boys stopped and turned to see the scene. Seeing Hibiki's state, Suigetsu quickly ran to her side. His hand came up to feel her head, noticing the light fever.

"What's wrong?" Suigetsu asked, "Is she alright?"

"She must have a concussion, she mentioned hitting her head yesterday?" Karin shapely asked Suigetsu.

"That bastard that hit her, she was thrown back and hit the wall. I didn't think much of it." He confessed.

"You idiot! We may be trained to use chakra to dampen the impacts we face but Hibiki has very little chakra and little experience using it in that kind of situation!" She yelled.

"I…. it…" He sighed, "What do we do now?"

"Now," Sasuke cut in, "we get her on Karin's back and move on. Hibiki had planned for us to stay at an inn at the border. We can run and be there in a few hours," Sasuke ordered. Nodding Suigetsu helped put Hibiki on Karin's back. They took off at a much faster pace, propelling themselves forward.

The group finally reaches the small inn around sunset. Hibiki was out the entire time, barely stirring.

Once they arrived they set out the Futon and laid Hibiki in it. Sasuke's frown and hard expression concerned Suigetsu even more.

Is Hibiki going to be left behind? He wondered.

After they got settled Karin went to get dinner while Sasuke excused himself. Suigetsu was alone with the unconscious girl. He gently felt her forehead again, she wasn't hot anymore, no fever. Suigetsu gently pushed her bangs back with his hand. Showing her entire face.

She slept soundlessly, her breathing was slow and even. He watched her slightly parted lips and noticed a splash of freckles that had begun to appear across the bridge of her nose, probably from being in the sun. His hand slowly moves to cup her face, before trailing down and feeling the pulse in her neck. It still had a strong beat, this gave Suigetsu a little relief.

Sasuke soon returned and Karin came after with dinner. The three ate in silence, a heavy air surrounding them.

"So now we just wait for her to wake up?" Suigetsu asked.

"If she's not better by tomorrow afternoon, we'll leave her here." Sasuke concluded. Karin's face scrunched up in disapproval, mumbling under her breath but made no protest. Suigetsu almost spoke up but, Decided to wait this out.

Hibiki sat straight up, gasping for air. She was drowning, she needed air. Her throat felt thick, closed. Her head pounded and what remained of some kind of dream drifted just out of reach. She wanted to scream, but nothing came out. She was trapped in the darkness.

"Hibiki!" a voice screamed in her ear, although it sounded like it was a thousand miles away. It was barely audible to her.

Dark, why was it so dark? Where was the light?

"Hibiki!" a voice screamed again, closer this time.

Then suddenly in the darkness came another body. Hugging her, pulling her in, cradling her…..

Why was it so dark? Where was she?

"Hibiki!" Suigetsu called.

I'm Hibiki, she thought.

She reached out and grasped the other body, clinging to their shirt. Feeling it ground her in reality as the vision she lived in was still clinging in the back of her head. And slowly she calmed down, her breath came easier, and the scent of water came around her. Cradling her in a sense of comfort she couldn't quite settle into. Her eyes leaked, and her nose throbbed.

Her head was heavy, and she felt dizzy. As she settled down she laid it on the other body. Her head met a strong chest and she could hear the thrumming of a heartbeat in her ear. Steady, a little fast, and soothing. This is what finally brought her completely back. Her memories, her knowledge, her awareness, it all came back. Her body felt heavier than lead.

"Suigetsu?" Hibiki asked, her complexion was paler than a ghost, sweat continued to pour from her, her body taking on a shiver.

"Hibiki?" Suigetsu asked. "Are you ok?" gently taking his hand and cupping her face.

Hibiki's brows furrowed in confusion and fear. Like she didn't know what he was saying.

"Hibiki?" Suigetsu asked again, His voice straining.

"I'm," Hibiki whispered. Her throat was sore. "Ok." Hibiki finished swallowing but no saliva was there to cool her burning throat.

"What can I do for you?" Suigetsu begged, taking her further into his arms, resting her in his lap, one arm around her shoulders holding her steady, the other began petting her head Unsure how exactly to comfort her.

"A bath, I need a bath, I need to wash it off." Hibiki croaked out, tears pouring from her eyes again.

"Ok, I can take you to…"

"I can't lift a finger," she told him, the fog still keeping her from discerning what she was exactly saying.

"I… Karin…" He stuttered trying to find words. But all words fell from his mouth as he watched the sickly-looking girl in his arms. He sighed.

"Alright." He agreed, a tone of determination settling in his voice.

Standing up with Hibiki in his arms, who curled against him, clinging to him, Suigetsu walked down the hall and into the men's communal bath. He slowly put Hibiki on the bench in the changing room.

"I'll be right back." He told her. She wasn't able to keep herself sitting up, so he helped lower her into a lying position. He then went on and frantically searched the bath. Looking for any sign of another person. Finding it clear, He returned to the front door and locked it.

"Suigetsu?" Hibiki squeaked. Startled by the noise.

He rushed back to her side, and she grabbed onto his shirt and quivered more. With a deep steady breath, and a slow exhale Suigetsu began to help her undress. Working slowly to not frighten her or startle her. What started as a soft blush became a fierce red as each layer was removed. 'Thank god she can't see.' he thought.

Once she was completely undressed, Suigetsu gently picked her back up, then carried her to a washing station and began to wash her. Hibiki sat still, in shock, her breath shaky. He told her exactly what he was doing before doing it. Once he finished rinsing her off, he took her to the bath, sitting her inside. She was gaining her color back, and the fear, the terror in her eyes faded into exhaustion. Suigetsu sighed, she was doing better. He left her in the bath while he got towels and a robe.

Hibiki felt the hot water against her skin. The air was steamy but clear, and clean. Slowly guiding her back to reality,

Suigetsu returned and let her soak for a few minutes, trying to speak about anything to help get himself through this. He rambled on about nothing. He took her out when her color had returned to normal and her eyes drifted shut. He dried her and helped her put her robe on. By the time he unlocked the door again and was carrying Hibiki back to the room, she had lulled into a peaceful doze. He tucked her into his futon and was about to go look for Karin when Hibiki grabbed onto him.

"Don't leave. Just in case." She begged. Taking her hand Suigetsu sat back down and watched Hibiki fall asleep.

Karin entered the room but stayed quiet. She walked over and sat across from Suigetsu, who had dozed off while in his sitting position, Hibiki holding his hand tight in her sleep. Karin turned to where Hibiki's bed was, it was ruined. Soaked in sweat and piss. She must have woken up while Karin was out.

There was a lot Karin wanted to say about how Hibiki had wet hair and was in a robe, but that would have to wait. She filed the anger away for another time.

...

Hibiki slept a dreamless empty sleep all that night and into the morning. As she woke up for the second time, Hibiki's ears filled with a light snore. She sat up and felt her hand being held, or was she holding his? Suigetsu was next to her, asleep still. Gently she guided him into laying down before standing up. She found her way to the door and stepped out.

"Hibiki!" Karin called from down the hall, she ran and hugged Hibiki tight. "Thank God you are ok!"

Karin's perfume was familiar and soothing.

"How late are we, for getting Jugo?" Hibiki asked, concern covering her face.

"Don't worry, it's been a little over two days."

Hibiki sighed in relief, she hadn't lost time…

"We need to get going then, Sasuke must be unhappy," Hibiki said.

"A little, but he was worried too. Are you sure you're ok? Do you want to eat?" Karin asked.

"Yeah food sounds good," Hibiki said, forcing a soft smile. Karin led Hibiki to a separate room and brought her a plateful of food and a glass of water. Hibiki ate as slowly as she could, but she was starving.

"I'll get your clothes and we can head out as soon as you're ready," Karin said. Standing and leaving the room.

Update 7/7/23