Naruto- More than a Number-Part 1.

Chapter 17 Rescue.

(Shisui POV)

I keep my unwavering eyes straight ahead as we speed through the forest. The Hokage got a send for help from Mio's team and sent Itachi and I's squad as a recovery team. We are to check for survivors and take out the enemies, but I can't stop my fearful thoughts from tormenting me. What if Mio's endanger or worse dead? Why on the Earth did the Hokage send her team on a higher ranked mission if they weren't ready?

"I sense chakra's up ahead, stay alert. Keep in mind it's been almost a day since the signal was sent and the time it took to reach the Leaf, there is a high chance that the whole squad is dead. So, be prepared to fight," our Sensei explains sternly and we nod in understanding.

We stealthily move through the tree's shadows, keeping our guards up as we spy the position of the chakra's.

(Itachi POV)

Our Sensei just warned us of the presence of others up ahead, reminding us to stay guarded but I can tell Shisui's worried. How could he not be, I also am. What if Mio is hurt? She's like my sister and I don't know what I'd do if something happened to her. I care deeply for her and so does my family, that's why I didn't tell them about her current situation. I didn't want to put stress on them.

"Down there," our Sensei whispers as we come to a halt a few meters away from the said location.

Peering through the thick leaves I spot Sara, Mio's team member curled up into a ball by a tree. In front of the brunette lies the corpse of their teammate Chimmon and not far over is the familiar violet locks of Mio sprawled out messily across the ground.

My eyes widen at the sight of the blood puddle beneath her fallen form. Her small, pale fingers curled over in the dried blood and her long hair dyed with the crimson red of her own blood. Her skin as white as bone, as she lays as still as a stone in the dirt. I hold all my urge to leap from the trees and pick her up, as I wait quietly for a signal to move. I must stay calm or I could endanger my own team as well. Yet, I can't shake the fact that Mio might be dead and I'm doing nothing. She needs help that is if she's still alive.

"It's clear, all the enemies appear to be dead or fled," my Sensei informs and we jump from the trees. I quickly approach Mio with Shisui and kneel down beside her.

"She's dead and so is everyone else," a groggy voice states emotionless and we turn our heads to look at a tearful girl. "She saved me, losing her own life in the process," Sara adds and drops her gaze to Mio's motionless body.

She can't be dead, she just can't be. Turning my head back to Mio, I gently roll her onto her back and place two of my fingers on her freezing neck, checking for her pulse. Please still be alive. I notice the amount of blood loss she has from a large open wound going right through her stomach. It would be a miracle if she survived such a blow; yet I still have hope she's alright.

Beat...my eyes widen. It was faint but I felt her pulse, am I imagining it? Beat...Beat...she's alive! How? Her pulse continues to patter gently against my fingers, making a relived sigh escape my lips. She's alive. "Does she...have a pulse?" Shisui questions warily and I look up into his unfamiliar eyes filled with worry.

"It's faint but it's there. She's alive, somehow," I whisper the last part and remove my fingers from her cold skin.

(Shisui POV)

I can't believe she's alive, especially after all of her blood loss. She should be dead, yet she's not.

"She's alive!? How? After the amount of blood she lost she should be..." Sara exclaims in shock as she drops her head down.