destiny calls | *. naruto fanfic

36.

    The group of six began to slow as light started to stream through the trees, and they eventually stopped in a small clearing. They were all exhausted, having traveled about half the distance to and back in one day, they were forced to rest, no matter how much they needed to get Akari medical help. "How... is she..?" Sakura approached Heidan as he carefully set the injured girl down, taking the remainder of his bandages from his pouch. 

"Truthfully.... I... I don't know if she'll make it.. She's already bled through almost all of my bandage supply and the village is still so far away," Heidan's voice broke at the end. All he could do was watch his friend slowly fade away. He really did bring misfortune to everyone he met...

"You can use earth jutsu right?" Shikamaru approached, looking at Heidan thoughtfully. "Make some mud and put it over the worst wounds to stop the bleeding. It'll undoubtedly make things worse in the end, but if it stops the bleeding she might just survive until we make it back." Shikamaru hadn't been very talkative since they'd left the village, in fact the entire group had been running in almost complete silence; even Kiba. 
"R-Right..." Heidan got to work, removing the old bandages and lathering mud on top of the wounds before rewrapping them tightly.  He doubted this would help much, and he seemed to just be markings things worse... but if she stayed alive until she could get proper medical help, then it would all be worth it. 

    The others moved away to set up camp, Shino and Kiba setting up an area to sleep while Sakura and Shikamaru went to look for some extra food; as they were running low on rations. Heidan stayed to keep an eye on Akari, and when he was almost done treating her, she began to stir. "Akari?" Heidan faltered in his work, hesitant to continue in fear of hurting her. 

"H-Heidan..." Akari slowly blinked open her eyes, vision hazy, but she was very much awake. Her body ached all over, no, ached was an understatement. It hurt so much she could barely stand it. "I.... I dragged all of you into this.... I'm... I'm sorry... If I hadn't been so selfish you wouldn't have anything to worry about..." 
"Akari? What are you talking about? We're fine! We got you out of there, and you'll be fine to! Just hang in there until we get back!" Heidan quickly continued his work. He thought that if she woke up, he would have less to worry about, but... she wasn't making any sense. How had she ever been selfish? If anything she was selfless for going through this to protect Eriko and Machi. 

"The village..." Tears began to roll down her cheeks, mixing in with the blood stained on her face. "You need to warn the village as soon as possible.... the Mizushima clan... they'll destroy the Leaf..!"

"What?!" Heidan flinched backwards, as though in shock. He had never seen Akari so vulnerable before, physically or mentally. And what was she saying.... the Mizushima clan would destroy Konoha..? "But... the Mizushima clan has been dead for centuries. They.... they died off during the last great war... r-right..?"

    Akari shook her head slightly, struggling to sit herself up despite the severe wounds. "I'm sorry.... I kept this from everyone... I didn't want anyone to know. I thought you guys would be fine if you didn't...!" Akari's voice broke off, quickly turning into a coughing fit. Covering her mouth, she looked away from Heidan, pulling away a trembling hand to reveal red. Despite this, she continued on. She had to explain everything. Before it was too late. "I... I'm a Mizushima to... That village was where they've been hiding all this time. They've been gathering strength for generations.... to wipe out the Great Nations..." 

"Wha... What..? The Mizushima's are still alive.... and you're one to...?"

    Akari didn't wait for him to respond any further, carrying on. "I ran away from the village years ago... I didn't want any part in their plans. But I knew they'd find me again eventually... and... and silence anyone who knew.. that's why I didn't tell anyone. But now.... they're just going to destroy the whole village..." Akari forced herself to her feet, intense pain shooting throughout her body. The village needed to be warned. In its current state there was no way they could survive an ambush. The civilians needed to be evacuated... and the shinobi needed time to prepare... 

"Hey! Akari!" Panicked, Heidan gently grabbed hold of her, sitting her back down. "Once the others get back we'll keep moving." The Uzumaki seemed less shocked now and more focused. If they wanted to warn the village in time they couldn't afford to linger long. "But first.... you need rest. How long has it been since you've had anything to eat... or drink..?"

    Akari paused, having trouble recalling the last time she'd had anything of the sort. "The day.... this whole mess started... I think... How.. how long has it been..?"

"Just about four days." Heidan informed somberly, pulling out some water and a bit of food. "Have some of this.." The young ninja helped Akari with the water, giving her small amounts at a time. He knew too much after having gone so long without any would have the opposite effect of what he wanted, so despite his concern he took it slow. However, when he offered the food, she denied it, claiming that even the thought of eating made her feel nauseous. 

    The others returned soon after, all of them overjoyed to see Akari awake. However, when Heidan explained the situation their joy quickly turned to fear. It didn't take them long to repack and then they were once again on the move. They were all exhausted, but if they didn't push themselves there was a possibility there wouldn't be a village to return to. The group raced towards their home, all with different things in mind. Some feared for their family. Others feared for the village and their own lives, and yet some still worried over Akari despite the looming threat.
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I feel like this chapter is a bit shorter than normal so I apologize for that. I wanted to get this out before reaching the 3 weeks without an update so I doubled down on myself and wrote most of the chapter just now. Anyways Akari's finally explained some things, however theres still more to uncover! I'll see you all next update!

Thank you all so much for the support <3 it's really what's kept this book alive for so long.