I was compelled to invent with something very quickly. Soon we will approach village and my premonition is ringing bells, suggesting that something terrible might happen. Last time we rid easy by promising these bandits, that we will certainly give everything what they ask from us in next time. I indeed started to get nervous and panic when Shiro and Kuro kept moving. No one in the village was ready to give battle to these people. From what I have knew, it is very likely among them could be nukenin from Iwagakure and other villages, who deserted in war time and began to get robberies.
My heart continued to beat rapidly and furiously from astonishing fear that quickly filled my head. I couldn't just stand and watch how these bastard invade into village and destroy it. In self-pity, I ground teeth and clenched my fists, which turned knuckles white, and my nails dug into my skin.
"If only I were older and stronger, I would have been able to stop them or at least try to do something. I hate being a kid" - I said softly to myself, turning my head back in research pursuers.
"Hey, what are we going to do when we back home, do you think they'll believe us if we tell them, that bandits are returning to the village" - I heard Na-chan hesitant voice, who was holding back tears, clinging to Kuro in an attempt not to fall off it back by grabbing the white fur.
Well, of course that was another problem. In this village, everyone always put the children words in doubt with the stupid excuse that our imagination at this age is able to embellish any events and we can't be believed. Whose child it was, cursed child, as they usually called me, or twins of the self-proclaimed mayor.
"They won't have any other choice if they don't want to get hurt. Surely they can't blindly believe us, but they should remember that those asshole promised to come back village one day. At least if they don't, I'll just grab kasan and get out from the village with all the most valuable and important belongings. Anything that will help us survive in the forest for a few days. I promise you, that everything will be fine." - I answered softly, showing the ghost of a smile behind which hide a fear and an oppressive sense of the inevitable
As if received an epiphany, I began head trying to figure out how far from the village we were and then, like a bolt from the sky, I remembered, that there were two of my inactive traps in this place, capable of catching big prey and disabling it.
'I suppose it might stop them for a few minutes and buy enough time for villagers to escape.' - I instantly came to the conclusion and patted Kuro on the head, ordering it to stop where I wanted it.
"Shiro, stop." - I said quickly getting off the dog, attracting attention of a white dog who came up to me without feeling tired from a long run or an extra load on it back.
Obtain a restless look from my companion, who raised her face, I sighed heavily with feeling that she would not like my proposal
"Listen, there are 2 of my traps in this area, which can stop or kill guys who are going to attack our village, I just need to activate it and wait for the right moment when they get into it. That's the only reason why from here you will go to village without me and this is not discussed, the more time everyone in village have, the better. I know this forest like my 5 fingers and will be able to hide from everyone here and it will be easier if I to do it alone" - I said raising hand and taking a breath, immediately stopping this child, who wanted to loudly object to my reckless suggestion which she did not like for reasons I do not understand.
I had no right to drag her into this farce. In my understanding, she just needed back t to the village for her safety.
"Nope. I'll go with you, they'll catch and kill you." - she exclaimed loudly, peel off Shiro and running up to me, grabbing hand tightly with great force for such a little shrimp, starting to pull me to Kuro.
I didn't even try to get out of her grip and waited for the moment when her hysteria would end, so I just put chin on her head, meanwhile calming by running circles on her back.
"It is excluded, if someone does not detain them, everything can end very badly. We are children and adult won't believe us, but if they hear fighting sounds in this forest, this will definitely make villagers listen to your words." - I said softly, feeling the strength of her embrace, which was too great for a child.
This should be enough to convince her of my stupid and unreasonable reason to be the only bait. Anyway, I really hoped that she could understand everything that I said because of she has well-developed mind for a four-year-old child.
With absolute confidence in eyes, I made a big decision, gripping her tightly by the armpits and sitting on Kuro, mentally letting him know that on my command it would should to run as fast as could.
"I've made a decision Na-chan and I'm really to need your help, I can't do it myself. Please help me protect villagers. Kuro and Shiro will protect you if this bandits met with you, and as soon as you explain everything to the adults, this dogs will come back to me." - I began to beg her, noticing out of the angle of my eye how the worn-out doll fell out of her hands during another attempt to descend from the dog
I could only give a mental command to dogs and internally believe that Kuro and Shiro would have time to return to me at the moment when it would not be too late. It can't be that useless, right?
But not before I had time to give an order to these dogs, an emotional child with tears rushed to me, clutching my T-shirt, not wanting to let go. Why did I get the feeling that she was afraid that I wouldn't be able to return home
She seems like the annoying little sister which I never had. It is quite possible that she also regarded me as an older brother and only for this reason followed me everywhere trying to attach herself to my hip. She wasn't even intimidated by my alias in village and I assume it added a few points to my confidence scale. It was painful for a child of her age to understood that she probably wouldn't be able to see her older brother anymore.
Even more anxiety filled my heart when I considered the possibility of what would happen with kasan in the event of my possible death. Tousan betrayal had a strong effect on her, she and her painful heart can not restrain the second such blow.
It was painful to treat people dear to me like this, but I just couldn't get of another choice.
"Heh, stop crying, otherwise you will stain my favorite T-shirt with your drool and snot, stop acting like a little kid and making such a drama as if you're seeing your oni-chan for the last time." - With an amusement note, I said, easily lifting her up and returning her to Kuro massive back, earning an uncharacteristic irritated snort from her.
"I am a child, Baka" - she replied loudly, loosening her grip and looking away from me. Well, at least now she has returned to usual "tsundere" character.
"Anyway, Tell Kasan I'll find everyone her in a few days." - I sighed heavily and with a joyless smile gave a mental order to the dogs to go in village direction in the hope, that villagers will believe to this child
Touching face with hand and straightening hair, I finally paid attention to Na-chan toy. At least I have one more stimulus to return home.
'Geez, I really forgot to give her that stupid doll.' - with a painful sigh, I began to reflect, raised up this toy and throwing it into hiking backpack.
I took a deep breath and going towards to my traps, in the direction of which a small bandits group was walking.
Lying to the ground, I sadly continued to curse myself because of the current situation. Right now I was in a disgusting state because that idea would fail only because nukenin group approaching me decided not to divide, and that means that element surprise will work on them only once.
Sighing heavily and quietly rising from ground, I tried not to touch any of the branches so as not to accidentally attract attention of this nukenins from Iwagakure.
The less information these people will have about my presence, the higher my chances of survival here. All I could do now, it's just waiting for them to get into my traps and be dispersed in search of the one who installed them.
I calmly looked at two small hunting knives and continued to hope that my low skills in throwing knives would not prevent me from at least injuring those idiots who would not notice the obvious trap.
The wind proceed to rustle the leaves in the other direction, without any intention bringing all those sounds and smells closer to me, what was created a ninja group totally protecting me from exposure because of, that following my little hunting experience, I was able to veil smell with the help of the wind
Also right now, if I were able to dance, I would definitely do it because my chakra absence does not allow sensors to detect my position.
My chest vibrated slightly from the fact that the chakra absence has much more pros than cons. Possible it was not for nothing that was glad that there is no chakra in my body
In anticipation, I concentrated my hearing and began to hear loud adults voice which they discussed about what would do with the village if their requirements are not fulfilled. Anxiety and quiet horror quickly overwhelmed me as soon as I heard their phrase that the village was in danger of complete destruction and looting.
I couldn't just be angry, If I succumbed to emotions and made mistake right now plus revealed my presence in the forest, plan would surely have failed. I was necassary to suppress all these negative emotions that began to appear in my heart. All I could do now was pray that Ta-chan had already reached the village and explained adults what could happen.
I tried to feel the presence of Kuro and Shiro and where it could be, but I couldn't find it in my shadow, from which I made a terrible conclusion that, it still hadn't returned to the shadows or Na-chan hadn't get to the village.
Out of anger, I clenched fists at the thought that came into my mind. I was quite experienced with how to keep emotions in difficult moments, but thought about it made my blood boil and and just this fact that I couldn't do anything anyway made me calm heart.
'No, they're fine, I don't have to fill head with this crap right now. It would be a waste of time to ruin everything right now.' - I gritted teeth and bit tongue guessing about the terrible scenario.
It was enough for me to analyze what was happening when the distinct sounds of approaching footsteps and stormy voices began to be heard 50 meters from the traps
Why did I decide to take a hero role? I've never been seen doing this before. I absolutely could not be called a coward, but I would never risk my life in such terms. Do I really want to protect villagers even after stupid ostracism they subjected me and kasan?
Firmly grasping 2 knives with trembling hands, I lying to the ground so that I completely merged with the terrain and held breath waiting for the right moment, when I can throw my weapon at these bandits direction. The last thing left for me is to trust to instincts and try to do my best.
From the smell that began to spread within 100 meters in their direction, they were pretty drunk and it could be a good help in my risk and I will be able to get out of this unharmed.
Squatting down, I strongly strained hands, believing that a strong grip could affect accuracy and waited for a characteristic crackle sound a few dry sticks, which I placed right on the traps.
"You know, Daiki, you shouldn't have..."- I narrowed eyes and pulled hands back, waiting for the moment when I could throw this knives in the already designated direction.
"I don't..." - adult voice did not get time to finish speech because a strong rope suddenly grabbed his leg and pulled up leaving him in an uncomfortable position in front of his friends, forcing his friends to relax and laugh at him after a tense moment, only to be interrupted immediately, since another of their comrades, after a careless movement, chop down into exactly the same trap and repeated the fate of previous victim.
My eyes lit up from the success because right now they are not coordinated and should not notice where the attack will touch them, this is my chance. Their alcoholic state also played into my hands.
"Do or die. I promise never to do this again if I survive after this." - I whispered confidently to myself and clumsily threw sharp knives in bandits direction of those who stood closest to me
Aiming straight at the back of these people's heads, hoping for their death, I reduced that it was arrogance to assume that I was able to throw knives so that it would go along previously planned trajectory.
Everything get wrong from the very beginning as I had expected from the weight of these knives was too heavy, and also of the headwind, the inertia of the sharp guns disappeared and it changed the set trajectory so, that one of them, instead of hitting the back bandit head, hit him in the left shoulder, and the second knife flew past the intended target and hit a rotten old tree.
"AAAAAAAAA" - one of this bandits screamed from the sudden stabbing pain.
These actions made this adult group quickly alert and prepare themselves for a possible fight, looking for at least someone in the direction from which the 2 knives flew.
"Fine, just fascinating, I was completely careless and now I have attracted their attention, I have to get out of here as soon as possible and preferably do it in the other way from the village, otherwise I will just make them even more angry" - I whispered to myself and relaxing legs with a quick movement jumped in the direction of dense trees and green foliage, which was supposed to save me from pursuers for a short time.
'Good, why I thought I can do it without being noticed.' - I assumed, in rage from branch to branch, trying to figure out how to break away from pursuers, who will definitely not leave me alive.
The lack of bond with my dogs made this task more difficult for me. According to my calculations, they should have already returned, why are they suddenly I still do not feel dogs presence? A colossal of anxiety wave fell on my shoulders. I had to get away all the bad thoughts that I can't feel these dogs because they are been destroyed.
Meanwhile, my weak endurance began to take its toll and sweat broke out on forehead because I felt a huge killing intent approaching me every second.
I assumed that if I could not get away from them in the next 5 minutes, then they would catch up me fully calmly and it absolutely did not like me, because I had no desire to die just like that.
Only because of this I dived from the branches, looked around and found a crevice in the grounds, into which immediately squeezed through due to small size and held breath, trying to merge with the terrain without attracting any attention to himself.
'Ha, what a disappointment, right now I hate myself. I was so arrogant supposing that because of my increased physical abilities, I would be able to cope with them, or at least be hold them for a long time enough.' - I bit my thumb in annoyance of this situation and realized that only my dogs could save me from this term.
Hearing the approaching footsteps, I had to squeeze into earth crevice in hope that this intruders would not focus on it and pass by, giving me enough time to get out of it and change place where I will be able to wait out these difficult moments.
"Ritsu, he should be here, I noticed footprints on the ground, he has nowhere else to hide, we will find this kid" - I heard a hoarse and rude voice sounded right above me, whose legs almost fell into where I was.
'Kami, if I don't die now, then I'll die just trying to get back to the village. I ran here like a madman and did not consider it necessary to understand which side I was running, but judging from the fact that there are more and more crevices and mountains, I am somewhere in Land of Earth. Draw a new target on back? Bring it' - I thought with a painful smile, looking at Ritsu who continued to bicker with his comrade and prove that ME should be here.
My condition has never been in such a mess. On the one hand, my heart was pounding wildly with fear, hair stood on end, and body was shaking violently, just like the primal fear of being killed by a predator that had cornered me like prey, and on the other hand, the adrenaline that filled my head made my blood boil to such an extent, that I forced myself not to get out of the crevice in order to challenge these bandits and not face them in a direct fight, completely forgetting about the instinct of self-preservation.
'Don't dare, don't even think about getting out there, asshole, you won't get out of this mess alive. You've only done half the work and you have to go home, so don't do anything stupid' - I calmly said, trying to stop body from stupid actions that will lead to irreversible consequences.
"He's not here, maybe..."
I listened to noise above my head and understood, that my pursuers had lost the trail and moved further into the depths of the forest, giving me opportunity to get out on crevice and clean yourself
Climbing out of the crevice, I reduced ridiculous conclusion that it was easier to get in there than to come out, and therefore I spent more time than I imagined.
"Ha... I can't breathe. Kami, if only Kasan could see me, she probably gave me a spanking for climbing into such a hole." - I blurted out falling to knees, don't feel any presence near me just so that instincts start telling me, that someone is coming back here.
Even more of the feeling of death returned when a dry branch snapped right behind me, when two bandits approached with sticks in their hands, looking at me with wide-open eyes.
"Oh, fascinating. Look who we have here" - said a voice that made me turn in his direction and a feeling of fear took over me
'What? What is this feeling? Why am I so scared? Why can't I move? I can't move any of muscles at all. Am I really going to die here?' - I thought as I fell on my ass. My whole body was covered in sweat as both pursuers began to get closer and closer to me, grinning maliciously, not trying to hide from me their killing intent, because of which I clutched at my throat from air absence.
Completely lost composure and orientation in space, my head sank to the ground as if it was pressed by gravity.
"Raiko, what are we going to do with him?"
"Well, he made all of us run, I assumed that there would be a group of trained ninja, but it turned out to be a small and pathetic child..." - an adult man tried to answer in a mocking voice, but was interrupted by a loud growl of a dog that appeared from my shadow without any command or summon.
I heard it growling and instantly raised head with relief grasping that Kuro had finally appeared here.
"Where have you been Kuro, why have you taking so long?" - I croaked, climbing on back and preparing to escape from two nukenins, who had already been joined by a few more people.
After get an uncharacteristic thundering barking, which further confused nukenin group, I only reduced that Shiro had decided to stay with villagers and wait for my return.
"Why are you standing? Catch them, maybe he can be worth a lot of money..."
He didn't have time to finish his loud speech because I gave a mental call to Kuro and tell him to move forward at high speed through this crowd.
"Come on Kuro, the faster we get out of here, the higher our chances of survival, apparently, right now they were attracted by the fact that you appeared right out of my shadow." - I patted dog on back and it increased speed even more, moving in the shadows of the trees so, hiding from pursuers.
Unfortunately, I did not immediately seeing that we were running straight to the cliff, under which there was a river and a shore strewn with stones.
Realizing that we were angled, I instantly gave my dog call to turn around, but a crowd of 8 people blocked anyway for me to retreat.
"Well shit, looks like we're stuck here, don't we, Kuro?" - laughing nervously, I said to my partner, looking at my pursuers, who increasingly forced Kuro to retreat to the cliff.
"Give up, brat, you drove us through this forest pretty hard and even able could to injure one of us. Why did you do all this? Although I'm not really interested in it, you can just stop running from us, tell us how the heck you were able to summon this dog and then maybe we'll save your life" - said man with the eye patch who came forward with commanding and loud voice
"I don't understand what you're talking about shinobi-san, I didnt summon anyone" - I stammered in a confident tone, urging Kuro return to the shade in order to pull off another absurd plan.
Right now I've put everything on it.
I will either die here, or for the first time in my life I will fool death in such a sophisticated way.
"You. How did you do that? You can't just waste your life like that, you and your bloodline can be worth a lot of money, so don't do anything stupid, child. You need to calm down." - the same leader said in a calm voice, trying to look friendly in my eyes, but I saw in his eyes only greed and avarice from an possible monetary gain after he sold me.
"Don't get me wrong, shinobi-san, but my kasan prohibit me to tell unknown my abilities so I'll leave it to you without explanation." - I said fluently, feeling with heel that if I dared to take another step, I would fall off a cliff into a rushing river.
I was already ready to make a gesture and jump off the cliff summoning Nue, but right before that, the ground above my feet cracked and a piece of rock broke off with me, causing me to lose concentration, looking at how a nukenin group began to watch how a big piece of rock fall into the river with me.
'Nue' - I squeaked mentally, folding the gestures in expectation of this bird
But nothing happened and my eyes widened because of this