Salt in the Wound

Down, down, run faster.

I split up with Gaara while the other three darted around the barrier, circling in behind us. The wall was steep and old, crumbling beneath the harsh pattern of our steps. Up and jab, the kunai flew opposite of me as it crashed into the metal of my Tanto.

“Ishiko, stay to the left of me.” I nodded and fell back some, stepping into line so that Gaara’s body almost shielded me from oncoming attacks. I could hear various sounds coming from various jutsu’s, what was unsettling is the almost dream like state of terror that held me down to the floor. No one was screaming, but I could hear the shrieking coming from inside my head like it was flooding the area.

So much blood, so much death.

I had never fought in a war, never battled against more than five opponents at once, and I sure had never wanted to kill so bad. He was near, Hitsuchi was rippling within me, sensing his brother’s chakra flow coming from around us. How long would he hide for? I needed to step away from Gaara, distract him with something long enough to leave his always watching side. An onslaught of what appeared to be flame darted towards us. Gaara might have been strong but the fact was, people wanted to see him die first. We landed on the ground, sliding backwards with my heel digging into the soft sand, I straightened quickly and pulled out both Tanto, holding them downwards. His sand wrapped around me in a barrier, stopping two men from advancing.

Backwards, to the left and back over.

My foot slid in the sand and I shot a sharp look at Gaara as I bound over his sand barrier. “I’m not helpless Gaara. Don’t interfere like that again.” His back was up against mine in a second, defending me as I defended him.

“I said no one would touch you, why would I risk that?” His sand defected easily the intruding shuriken at the same time I slashed away the weapons. For some reason, we were standing in the heart of the battle. Sand ninja and Leaf ninja surrounded us. Some overlooking us, some deciding their targets. A loud voice called out and we turned our heads at the same time. The boy Naruto dashed through the crowd, using his own Kunai to deflect weaponry.

“Gaara!” The boy came dashing in front of us, swiveling around and grabbing Gaara suddenly by the collar. Naruto’s face was only but a mere inch away. “Follow me.” He said urgently. Instinctively, Gaara’s hand wrapped around mine and I was soon being pulled upward as they jumped. Carefully, we bounded through the groups of fighting ninja, being led by the hot-headed blonde boy. Once we landed in a secluded spot, Gaara was shoved against the wall by Naruto. I jumped forward to interfere but was quieted by Gaara’s hand.

“Ishiko please, let’s see what he has to say.” His eyes narrowed and he nodded his head, the boy let go.

“What the hell is going on?!” He yelled, his face twitching in agitation. “Tell me you didn’t do this!” Gaara shook his head, eyes still sharp and narrowed.

“I did.” I blurted out. Both faces turned towards me shocked and speechless. “It’s my fault Naruto. There is a man looking for me…and he did this to get closer to me.” My head lowered, eyes on the ground. I will not cry, I will definitely not cry here.

“Well why are you just standing around then?!” The boy rounded on me with fists set, “you should be taking care of this!” Gaara’s hand was placed on Naruto’s chest and the boy backed up, looking defiantly at Gaara. “Something is missing here and I need to now what.”

“Move or you will die.” My heart skipped a beat as I could feel Hitsuchi’s chakra flow through me.
There was a looming danger near by.

“We need to get out of here, it’s not safe anymore.” I said lowly, my back arched and eyes lit up. “Now.” My hand wrapped around Gaara’s arm and I sprang back, bringing the Kazekage with me. The boy behind us wasn’t stupid enough to wait behind. We landed just as the wall we had once been behind exploded. Shards of sand and rock pelted around. My eyes scanned the people as we sat high above the masses, it almost seemed that our numbers were exact, one ninja for every one ninja. Then I saw him.

It was suddenly as if the world was just the two of us. My daring eyes staring straight into the face of that hollow creature that wanted me dead. Everything moved in slow motion around me, and as slowly as everything else I brought my eyes down to the ground I was standing on. His hand flicked upwards, setting another bomb off, a bomb that had been stuck to the wall that we all were on top of. Someone was screaming, I tried blocking it out but I couldn’t. I was the one screaming. The air caught up to me and before I could realize what had happened I was tumbling backwards through the air, both hands clutching onto my ragged chest.

I had never felt pain like this before. It was as if the cut Roka had given me had opened back up, only this time it didn’t heal and it didn’t fade. I couldn’t react and as my body hit the crumbling rock beneath me, I felt the blood spilling from my mouth. My eyes looked upwards, searching the air for Gaara and Naruto. Had they fallen with me? “Ishiko!” I knew that voice, or at least I think I did. I closed my eyes, begging for anything to take away this pain that flowed through me when I felt his hands on my shoulders. What was I thinking? This was my chance to repent, my chance to save everybody. And instead I’m lying on the ground bleeding like the little girl I once was, first to fall and last to die. I wouldn’t play that role twice. My eyes snapped open and I nudged his hands away, averting my eyes away from his blue ones. “Gaara, please.” It took a minute to steady myself, hands limp at my side swaying with each uneasy step.

“Wh-what is she doing?!” Naruto flinched back away from me, watching with horror as Hitsuchi took control. The open wound on my face slowly wrapped itself back together, along with the wounds on my back. Yet, that pain didn’t leave my chest. After my wounds were whole again I crouched, a wicked smile set in. I cast my eyes at Naruto, my eyes quickly changing from silver to red. Fangs sprouted and hands curled into themselves, slightly cutting into my palm and drawing blood.

“Get out of here. Both of you.” I growled. Gaara took a step forward, hand outreached as if to stop me but he was too late. I had dashed away from him without a single look back.

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Temari stood against three leaf ninja, her fan had been cast aside as she had been ambushed quite unfairly. Her body was bent and a small amount of blood slipped through her lips, each breath causing her chest to recoil in sharp pains. Eyes shifting, she looked left, then right. Her team was occupied and her enemies were quickly closing in. Closing her eyes she couldn’t help but wonder how everyone else was, if they were even still alive. More credit should have been given to Konoha, they were undoubtedly worthy opponents and even possibly, more prepared than Suna was.

“I’ve never seen a more unfair fight. Have you guys really sunken that low?” A voice from behind her called out. Her eyes snapped open and she looked ahead at the rigid bodies, faces struggling. Slowly, she turned her head in disbelief, gaping at the smirk Shikamaru wore.

“What are you doing Shikamaru?!” The closest enemy called out, staring in horror at the inky shadow he was held under. Temari’s body gave in and she collapsed in the dirt with her hand securely wrapped around her middle, grunting in pain.

“I always knew you were shady.” She said shakily, a laugh on her lips. The lazy boy rolled his eyes and stared down at her with a frown.

“Not even a thank you, should have known.” He turned his eyes to the left and nodded, “Now Sakura!” A pink haired kunoichi came sprinting out from behind Shikamaru, her gloved hand tightly fisted. With a yell she beat her hand to the ground at the same time Shikamaru released his shadow possession. Before the leaf ninja could react they were sent sprawling back from the massive tremor in the earth Sakura had released. Shikamaru kneeled down in front of Temari, his hands wrapping around her gently. “We need to get you out of here.”

She struggled at first, completely against letting a leaf ninja help her, but she gave in when she realized she wouldn’t be escaping anytime soon. He darted forward towards the center of the village where he knew no one was aiming for, on either side. Temari looked up at Shikamaru and smiled, leaning her head back. “Why are you doing this?” She asked quietly.

He glared down at her and shook his head. “I don’t really want to be here Temari. I could be doing a million other things than this, but I had no choice. The sooner we can convince everyone else you’re not the enemy, the sooner I can go home.” He sighed and looked around. “It’s so ugly here.” Stopping finally, he set her down on the sand and looked back, stepping aside to let Sakura in once she caught up. “We should be safe here for now.” The pink haired girl leaned over and placed her hands above the blood stain. Closing her eyes and concentrating, she breathed a sigh of relief.

“She has some severe wounds, but none of them are in vital spots. She will be just fine.” Her eyes turned up towards Shikamaru, gleaming in the light. He caught sight of her look and turned away, the hint of a blush on his cheek.

“Like I care.” He said stubbornly. Temari watched with interest as she struggled to sit up when Sakura finished, as soon as Shikamaru noticed this he sprang to her side, stabilizing her with his hands. “Don’t move so much, you’re gonna have to rest.” His voice was urgent and from behind him Sakura laughed quietly.

Their eyes met and both quickly looked away looking panicked. “Well, I’m going to go find Naruto and help him with his part of the plan. Shikamaru, you should stay here with Temari and make sure she is okay.” With a wink Sakura turned on her heel and dashed away, leaving Shikamaru and Temari in a crimson blush.

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“Tell me where he is!” I growled, scanning the area with my eyes as I weaved in and out the deserted streets.

“Below you!” Hitsuchi hissed inside my head and I jumped up swiftly, avoiding the claw that sprouted out of the ground. I slid backwards, watching as he pulled himself out of the ground like some sort of lizard. Hitsuchi and I both waited in anticipation, expecting an attack at any moment. But all he did was smile at me, wickedly. The black gaping whole that was once his left eye shook me to the core, the skin around his empty socket crinkling around his grin.

“Ah, Ishiko, you’re moving still,” circling around me he crouched, “maybe this time you can play a little longer.” In the little light that was left I watched him. It’s true, my body was weaker than it should have been and now, after healing me, Hitsuchi had less chakra than Hihouka. And in result, Roka had the upper hand. In less than five minutes it would be dark outside and being able to see wouldn’t be as easy. “Bring your demon out!” His voice trembled the air around me and I couldn’t help but gasp at his appearance. Wings sprouted from his back and his hands were covered in a frill of scales. Even his face appeared to be more grotesque than it was before, more like a demon.

“You bastard.” I shook, stepping back in shock when he lunged at me. My eyes widened, I was still in the village. Which meant if either of us transformed, the village would be left in shreds. “No!” I whispered. Pushing myself to utmost limit, I ran towards the gates needing to get away from the people and their homes. I looked back at watched Roka laughing as he jumped in the air, his wings pulling the dry wind beneath him with ease.

“You can’t run from me stupid girl. Stop trying to be the hero!” Before I reached the end of the gates, his body took a turn and dove towards mine. He wanted me to be so close to death so Hitsuchi would have no choice but to leave his vessel, that wasn’t going to happen. He was less than five feet away from me, his wings curled over his head to protect himself from the impact.

If this was going to work I had to time it perfectly. My feet left the ground and my hand wrapped around the hilt of my weapon, pulling it out and clenching. Move faster, clench and throw, I told myself. His body was flung into the wall creating a large gap in the stone. A moan and a tremble as he tumbled out of the hole he had made, my Tanto blade sticking out between his shoulder blade. I panted, sweat rolling down my cheek in the hot summer just watching and waiting. From just outside the gates I could hear the sounds of continuous fighting, people battling over no particular cause. Had I killed him? My breath stopped suddenly and I stood up, watching closely as the demon ahead of me slowly stood up. His hand wrapped around the blade and he pulled it out of his back, casting it aside. Through his hair I could see the hate and bloodlust, rolling around like a milky sea.

“Good try, Ishiko. But not good enough.”