when worlds collide

Chapter 22~

...

At first, the headache was a mere whisper of discomfort, a shadowy specter lurking at the fringes of her consciousness. But as time unfurled, the whisper escalated into a deafening scream, the shadow morphing into a sinister entity that ensnared her skull, its grip intensifying with each fleeting moment. The agony surged, metamorphosing into an unyielding torment, as if a nefarious force was relentlessly battering her cranium with an unseen hammer, each blow resonating through her mind with an eerie precision. Clenching her eyes, she leaned uncomfortably against the large boulder she had requested to be placed against, her left hand massaging her temple in a futile attempt to alleviate the torment. Yet, nothing seemed to offer solace.

"It seems that one shield might have exerted more force than intended." Robin points out. After him and the others had returned from their patrol around the village, where they were on the lookout for more of the evil creatures. Returning back, they had been met with the distressing sight of the boathouse, now nothing but ashes floating on the water. Swiftly, initiating a search for their companions, ultimately locating everyone assembled near a pair of towering trees just outside the village.

'Though I'm grateful you got us all out safely, perhaps you shouldn't have pushed yourself too hard,' Shizuna chirps softly. She focused her attention on healing a small cut on Naruto's wrist. Though to no surprise to her. It was already pretty much healed. Naruto's healing abilities were incredible.

"I'm alright," Yukia informs them all softly. Her eyes, momentarily opening to look over the group around her. Though she quickly closes them back. Due to her head spinning even faster. It felt much better with her eyes being closed. "I merely overdid it with that shield, is all, I believe rest will I wish I could help though this is tormenting"

"You shall not heal anyone, right now," Gaara's voice echoed from beside her, laced with an unsettling gravity.

Yukia's hand rises in a ghostly thumbs up, aimed vaguely in the direction from which his voice seemed to emanate, before it falls back to her side like a phantom limb. Though her spirit wanes at the thought of exerting herself, especially for those dear to her, she's acutely aware of her current inability to aid them. This helplessness haunts her. Yet, in this moment, her powers are shackled. Sakura and Shizuna, however, weave their healing magic with skill, tending to the wounded with an efficiency that eases Yukia's troubled mind. Her heightened senses, a beacon in the gloom, allow her to track the faint scents of the five titans, all lingering close by. She clings to the hope that they remain unscathed amidst the shadows of the night..

Akira's voice, devoid of any warmth, floats through the darkness.

"Were you attacked by more of those creatures?" The ambiguity of her tone cloaks her true intent, leaving one to ponder if her inquiry stems from genuine concern or mere curiosity.

Akira noted the unsettling severity of their injuries, with several patrol members showing clear signs of battering. Fortunately, their wounds were not serious, but there was an underlying sense of urgency for recovery. It was evident that each one of them desperately needed profound rest.

"Fortunately, those shadowy beings didn't use venom this time, or perhaps they chose not to. Either way, I'm exhausted. When can we sleep?" Shikamaru wonders as he let's out a deep sigh, leaning his head back on his clasped arms, using them like a pillow. To support his head.

"No surprise there." Temari remarks sarcastically. Indeed, her lack of surprise was evident.

The young nara frequently appeared drained of energy. Shikamaru briefly met her gaze, then shrugged and closed his eyes, his exhaustion from the day's events completely understandable.

"Those creatures are exceedingly malevolent," Choji remarks with an ominous shake of his head before thrusting a hand laden with chips into his mouth, devouring them with an unsettling crunch

Ino's now standing beside him, laser-beaming him with a glare so potent it could probably cook the chips he's munching on. If only he'd catch the 'I'm about to lose it' vibe she's broadcasting, maybe he'd dial down the chip symphony. But nope, Captain Oblivious over here just cranks up the volume, chomping away like he's in a chip-eating contest. Ino shakes her head, deciding to spare him her wrath... for now.

"It makes me wonder why some possess poison and others either use it or don't, or perhaps they just lack it altogether," Kekashi murmurs to himself, deeply engrossed in his own line of thoughts..

"In any case, it's crucial we find a place to rest. Given our current state, battling more creatures tonight is out of the question." Akira suggested. Noting how tired everyone looked. There was no point in continuing to patrol until everyone had gotten some rest.

"The boathouse is out of the question, it seems." Ino lets out a deeply exasperated sigh, strong enough to deflate a balloon, upon finding the boathouse off-limits. In the eerily quiet village, where everyone seems lost in dreams of better shelters, but where else could they go? She wasn't from around here, so she wasn't entirely sure.

"There's a small cave outside the village. it's not too far from here." Temari almost suggested. Just beyond the village. She recalls catching a glimpse of it during their earlier passage, when her and the others had been coming through.

"That will suffice, let's go," Kekashi replies. Having forgotten above seeing the cave.

...

"The cave is just ahead," Starfire shouts down to the group below. She had been vigilantly searching for the cave and was overjoyed to have finally located it.

As they neared the cave's imposing entrance, the proximity to their nighttime refuge seemed to invigorate some of the young ninjas, who quickened their pace, clearly eager to embrace the sleep that was sure to come.

The four young heroes hung back. Staying beside their young teammate, while Yukia assured them all that she didn't need their help right now. She was able to see considerably well. And, she was able to walk on her own for the most part, and she didn't want to keep burdering them with her well-being. Her lovely friends were not convinced, especially with how she almost seemed to trip over her own feet a couple of times. And had almost straight into a tall tree. Luckily, she managed to avoid it before she could hit it. Though that was possibly due to Robin grabbing her arm and pulling her towards him. Just before she could hit it. Sending the masked boy a thankful glance. Before continuing to follow after the others

"You don't have to try and walk on your own. We don't mind helping you," He tells her seriously. "It might actually be quicker if you'd let us help,"

Gaara, not far away, casts a protective glance over his shoulder, his eyes briefly locking with theirs in a silent promise. It's clear he's also vigilantly watching over her, ready to offer his support without hesitation if needed.

"I appreciate your concern, Robin. Thank you for checking in on me. But the cave is just up ahead, and I believe I can continue on for a bit longer," Yukia tells him. Though if she were honest, she didn't want to burden them anymore than she felt she already was.

As they inch towards the cave's gaping maw, Kekashi, Akira, and Shizuna halt as one the titans and younger ninja stoppingunsurely behind them All three jonin peer into the foreboding shadows within, a palpable sense of unease settling over them as they grasp the magnitude of their ominous find. Akira swiftly orders the young heroes and ninjas to remain outside. While her Kekashi and Shizuna check out the cave. To make sure it was safe.

In the heart of the dimly lit cave, an ancient, medium-sized altar loomed ominously. It was cluttered with numerous scrolls, their contents spilling over the edges like the whispers of the dead. Four small candles flickered around the scrolls, casting eerie shadows on the walls as their flames danced in the cold air. Kekashi, ever cautious, was the first to venture deeper into the cave, his one eye scanning the shadows for any sign of danger. As he approached the altar, the air seemed to thicken with anticipation, but nothing stirred. He positioned himself in front of the altar, his senses alert. Akira emerged beside him, her gaze roaming over the scattered scrolls, her eyes tracing the arcane symbols and cryptic messages scrawled upon them with an intensity that belied the eerie silence surrounding them.

Shizuna lingered away from the altar, her chocolate eyes scanning the eerie inscriptions that crept across the cave's walls.

"There summoning scrolls," Akira murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper. As her hand hovers over one of the scrolls, tracing a small red stain that streaks across it. It could be blood. "I should have known those creatures were summoned,"

Kekashi's eyes widen in a mix of surprise and unease as he carefully lifts the scroll lying before him, his gaze piercing through the dim light to scrutinize its contents with a sense of cautious curiosity.

"Could this be a trap set by the enemy?" he ponders to himself, the atmosphere adding a mysterious tone to his whispered question.

Why would someone leave them in a deserted cave so close to the village? Was it arrogance that made them think their secrets were safe, or was it meant as a mysterious warning? Regardless of their reasons, Kekashi carefully rolls up the scrolls on the table and stores them away safely in his weapon pouch. Then, there were the eerie inscriptions on each wall. What sinister secret did they conceal? Shizuna was rather intent on trying to read them.

"Is it safe to come in?" Shikamaru wonders from the threshold of the cave, his head barely visible as he peered inside, casting a wary glance over the jonin. they would be able to rest.

"Yes, everyone can come in. There's no trap here strangely enough," Kekashi answers. Having said that, the group of young ninjas enter the cave in silences each one seeming to immediately focus on the walls."It seems this mission is gonna be more difficult than we first thought,"

"Why's that?" Raven asked in her usual monatoned voice. As she and the other titans enter the cave. Quickly finding their own spots to rest up in.

Yukia trembles as she ventures into the cave, her grip on the entrance tightening as if it's her last anchor to safety. Her heightened sense to the stench saturating the air, her nostrils widening in disgust. This odor, vile and clinging, seems to seep into the very essence of the cave, painting the walls and ground with an aura of foreboding gloom. The cave breathes an unnervingly potent scent of blood, so intense that she hastily masks her nose with her shirt, yet even this barrier can not fully shield her from its overwhelming presence. Despite her clear unease, the pungency compels her to acknowledge its haunting reality.

"I assume the aroma is getting to you too, judging by your reaction," Kekashi wonders, peering over his shoulder at the young girl. Despite Yukia's inability to transform into her wolf form, Kekashi recognized that her senses remained exceptionally sharp.

"What scent?" Naruto inquired, tilting his head to the side with an air of innocence. "I can't smell anything."

Yukia simple whispers, "Blood..." and gently pulls back, wanting to leave the cave quickly.

"No wonder you're looking a bit sick," Cyborg remarks.

"I'll be outside." The young girl says before stepping back out into the nicely fresh air.

"Someone go outside with her." Akira orders tonelessly. 'We need to be together. Being alone poses a danger to everyone right now."

Without uttering a word, Gaara proceeds back outside, finding the cave too crowded for his comfort anyway. It wasn't surprising, really, that an aura of concern enveloped him, shrouding his every thought of her.

"He'll keep her safe," Robin insures the other four titans. And although each of them had some concern for their young teammate, even Raven, who hides her worry effectively, they trusted in his judgment.. outside of that, they knew Gaara cared for her. He wasn't gonna hurt her.

"With all this here, should we leave? What if whoever it was, that set this up comes back?" Sakura wonders as her eyes read over something written on the back wall.

"I doubt they would come back with all of us here," Shikamaru answers as he lays back against an empty spot on the cave walls, the spot having no writing on it. This seems peculiar, especially since the rest of the walls are adorned with writing. Perhaps whoever it was hadn't gotten to that section of the wall yet? A soft yawn coming from the young Nara's lips. Beside him, Choji sat down, with Ino on his other side, both his comrades appearing as exhausted as he was.

"I'm sure Yukia and Gaara will be on guard outside. We also need to stay on alert in here. Will each take turns keeping watch." Kekashi emphasizes the importance of staying alert. scanning the group. particularly focusing on his two young students. Naruto and Sakura quickly set up their sleeping arrangements for the night. With Temari and Kankuro not too far away. It was probably a good thing they brought sleeping bags.

"I'll stay up for now," Raven inputs as she walks over to the mouth of the cave. "I need to do some meditation anyways.:

Kekashi nods his head at her words. The jonin was genuinely relieved that the young heroes were willing to assist them, especially since they didn't have to concern themselves with the issues of this world, yet they chose to do so.

"Alright, let's get some rest. We will figure out what more to do tomorrow." Akira orders as she sits down beside the alter.

Beastboy morphs into a bloodhound and nestles beside Raven, who stays alert and watchful even with her eyes closed in a meditative trance. She would still protect them.

Robin and Starfire recline on the floor, with Starfire comfortably leaning against the chest of the masked boy, his right arm wrapped around her waist to pull her in closer.

"Do you think everything will be okay?" Starfire asked caringly, her eyes barely flickering up to look the masked boy in the face.

"Yes, will all be okay. Nothing bad will happen to any of you, I promise," Robin soothes as he runs his free hand through her hair. "You should rest now,"

Starfire's warm smile seemed to dissolve his heart into countless fragments. As she heard his words, her eyes gradually shut, revealing her exhaustion, a feeling they all shared. The struggle to resist the call of a deep sleep was becoming increasingly difficult for her.

Cyborg layed close by them. The cave was kinda small, so it was hard to find a good spot to sleep, well where someone else wasn't already resting.

Shizuna sits down beside Akira, seemingly unfazed by the woman's almost cold demeanor. Having spent time with Akira, Shizuna realized that beneath her tough Anbu exterior, the woman harbored a deep and genuine care for them, far exceeding her outward admissions.

...