The Girl Behind The Mask

Chapter 23

     Before the snake could attack Naruto appeared standing on a tree branch above his team. Chiyo smiled relieved to see that her friend seemed mostly uninjured.

     "Sorry, I forgot the password" he said, Chiyo nodded.

     "Yep, that's Naruto" she said only to be reminded of the giant snake that was trying to kill them. It lunged at the group again only for the blond to jump in front of his friends blocking it. Chiyo stood there amazed by the boy's bravery.

     "You brat" Orochimaru seethed, the snake now turned it's attention towards Naruto knocking him off balance. He fell off of the branch only to be caught by the enemy who held him in the air with one hand.

     "Naruto-kun" Chiyo called out in a panic. She felt frustrated, angry at herself for standing there while Naruto was in danger. She watched as the man did something that caused Naruto's body to glow for a moment, once it stopped he let go of the blond watching as he fell through the air.

     "No!" Chiyo yelled, both Midnight and the giant snake jumped towards the unconscious boy. Luckily Midnight was faster landing a kick on the snake's face before catching Naruto on her back. The wolf brought him back to the group allowing Sakura to lay him against the trunk of the tree.

     "Sakura, Sasuke you stay here, I'll handle this" Chiyo said.

     "Bu-" the pink haired girl had no time to protest as Chiyo pulled out her sword swinging it towards Orochimaru. He chuckled seemingly amused easily dodging the blade. The black haired female landed in front of him pulling out another Kunai throwing it, though Orochimaru dodged it the weapon scratched his face. Blood dripped down splashing onto the tree branch below.

     "Impressive" he commented, suddenly, he was gone. Chiyo gasped as she felt his presence behind her. Before she had any time to respond a blade was shoved into her side. Her eyes went wide as she coughed up some blood the crimson liquid staining her lips.

     "Chiyo" Sakura yelled, her voice was distant as the blade was removed from said female's body. She stumbled her hand reaching to cover the wound. She brought it up seeing it completely stained red.

     "Fuck" she cursed before finally lossing her balance. As her barley conscious form fell Midnight jumped into action catching her before she could hit the ground.

     "You idiot" she scolded, though there was more worry in her voice than anything. Chiyo's eyes slowly began to close as she finally passed out her world going black.
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     "Chiyo, it's time to wake up" that voice, it was so familiar. Red eyes were half open the girl's vision blurry.

     "Chiyo" the voice called again,

     "Mom?" Chiyo asked. She looked around seeing only darkness. Though she heard a voice she couldn't see who it belonged to.

       "Chiyo!" The black haired girl opened her eyes being met with the sight of a cave? She looked around to see Sakura and Midnight next to her,

     "Are you alright?" Sakura asked, she blinked a few times gathering her thoughts.

     "I'm fine" she said looking down at hed side. She saw that the wound that had once been there was now mostly healed.

     "I healed you, you should be fine, you're lucky that attack missed anything vital" the wolf scolded.

     "I'm sorry for worrying you both" she apologized sitting up.

     "Are you sure you're ok, you looked like you were having a nightmare" Skaura voicef her concern.

     "Don't worry, what about Naruto and Sasuke?" she asked. Her eyes traveled over to see the two boys were still unconscious.

     "Neither of them have woken up yet"  Sakura said frowning. Chiyo put a hand on her shoulder.

     "We found this place so you three could rest, you were the only one with any actual injuries" Midnight explained.

     "I see" Chiyo said, she looked over at the pink haired girl who was obviously very tired.

     "Sakura-chan, why don't you sleep? I'll keep watch" she suggested,

     "But you're hurt" she protested. Chiyo waved off her concerns,

     "Midnight took care of it, I'll be fine" she smiled. Sakura still seemed restless.

     "Hm? Is something bothering you Sakura-chan" she cocked her head to the side.

     "It's just that Sasuke got bit by the man" she said. The black haired girl froze in place,

     "he got bit?" she asked. Sakura nodded nervously, Chiyo stood up walking over to Sasuke. He seemed to be sweating and looked uncomfortable.

     "Do you know what that is" the pink haired girl asked. Chiyo shook her head eying the mark.

     "I don't know what it is but I have a bad feeling that Orochimaru was targeting Sasuke the whole time. That would explain why he snuck into the Chuin exams.

     "Why would he want to go after Sasuke"

     "My best guess is because of thr Sharigan" Chiyo explained.

     "Is there anything we can do about it" Sakura asked. Chiyo shook her head,

     "The only thing we can do now is have it sealed" Midnight added, the pink haired girl frowned.

      "How's Naruto-kun doing?" Chiyo asked.

     "He seems alright, he still hasn't woken up either"

    "I'll be lookout why don't you get some sleep, you look like you could use it" she said. Sakura nodded thankful to finally have a chance to rest.

     "Midnight"

     "Hm, what is it Chiyo?" the wolf asked.

     "That mark, the chakara i could feel from it...was so dark. Why would he give Sasuke something like that, what's his goal" she asked.

     "I don't know, but I have a feeling he isn't done" Midnight said. Chiyo frowned as she scanned the forest.